Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major der Reserve (Major of Reserves)

Unit:

Kommandeur, Pionier-Bataillon 187, 87. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

August 8th, 1944

During the midday hours of the 02.07.1944 the Soviets achieved a major breakthrough just to the north of Polozk, threatening to encircle the city. In response the German 87. Infanterie-Division received orders to use whatever resources it had to set up a blocking line in front of the railway line Polozk—Idraza between Lake Beloje on the left and Possnenki on the right. At the time the Division only had the remnants of its Füsilier-Bataillon as well as the Pi.Btl. 187 (minus its 3. Kompanie) for this task. These elements were placed under the overall command of Major Telschig.

Telschig set about establishing his defense at the road Kosi-Gorki road (which ran perpendicular to the railway line), deploying his own Pioniere along this line at around 16:00 and using his later-arriving Füsilier-Kompanie to secure his line towards the east. Support against the expected Soviet attack along the main road was provided by the III./A.R. 187, a heavy Heeres-Art.Abt. and 3 Sturmgeschütze. His right neighbour was the remnants of the Grenadier-Regiment 335, which was charged with defending Bulawki and Hill 141.5. The divisional commander himself soon arrived at Telschig’s command post and ordered him to hold this position for 24 hours in order to enable the Germans to pull as many units as possible out of Polozk.

The Soviets paused their attack in order to regroup, but did not hesitate to recommence their attack at 02:00 on the following night once this was complete. Their main effort was along both sides of the Kosi-Gorki road as expected. However the Pioniere were able to hold their ground successfully, repulsing 5 attacks by much larger forces during the morning hours. The Soviets were also unable to break through the neighbouring Grenadier-Regiment 335.

A renewed Soviet attack at 18:10 was repulsed in some areas, however this time it was impossible for the weak German defense to hold off their attack along the Kosi-Gorki road. However a combined counterthrust by Thümmler’s Grenadiers (from the Gr.Rgt. 185) and the hard-pressed Pioniere were able to seal off this Soviet penetration along the western edge of Samoschje at around 21:20.

Telschig would later be awarded the Knight’s Cross for successfully carrying out his difficult task and preventing a Soviet breakthrough.