On February 19, 1942, on a cloudy day, without wind or snow, the "Imperial" Division was at the rear of the Rzhev Line. Admiral Model, commander of the German 9th Army, said to Lieutenant Colonel Otto Kumm, the head of the Führer regiment who had just experienced the bloody battle of Lezhev: "Kum, we know what your regiment has endured, but I still have to ask: How many people do you have left now?" Qom pointed out the window with his finger and replied, "Your Excellency, my regiment is waiting outside!" "Modell looked around and there were only 35 people outside...
Lieutenant Colonel Otto Koum (10.1.1909 – 23 March 2004), then commander of the "Führer" regiment of the "Imperial" division, was awarded the Knight's Cross for his outstanding performance in the defense of Lezhev. Koum was promoted to major general in the late World War II and served as commander of the "Prince Eugen" division.
In January and February 1942, the "Fuehrer" regiment of the "Imperial" Division in the northern theater of Army Group Center experienced a series of bloody battles near the small Soviet town of Lezhev. In the ice and snow, the department paid an unprecedented and tragic price in order to complete the task of holding its position, and at the same time achieved amazing results. The Battle of Lezhev of the "Führer" regiment was an important part of the first winter campaign of the Soviet-German battlefield, which played an indelible role in the stability and continuation of the German Eastern Front, and it was also listed as the classic defensive battle of the early German army on the Eastern Front, along with the Battle of Holm and the Battle of Jemiyansk.
■A painted work depicting the Battle of Lezhev in early 1942. The "Führer" regiment of the "Imperial" division was a full strength of more than 2,000 men at the outbreak of the Soviet-German War in 1941, 650 when ordered to reinforce Lezhev on 23 January 1942, and only 36 when it withdrew to the rear on 19 February. During the Battle of Lezhev, the Soviets lost about 15,000 men in the defense zone of the "Imperial" division, and the "Führer" regiment destroyed more than 70 Soviet tanks in its defensive areas.
On 19 February, the "Fuehrer" regiment was replaced by an army division, and then the whole regiment rushed on foot to the headquarters of the "Imperial" division. There, Admiral Moder, commander of the 9th Army, personally wore a Knight's Cross for Commander Qom. Modell asked him to tell him about the climax of the battle in order to gain more insight into the performance of the Fuehrer regiment.
During the conversation, Modell handed Coom a bottle of wine and asked, "Do you have any other wishes?" ”
Qom replied: "I want to rebuild the 'Führer' regiment in Germany. ”
"Not feasible," Replied Modell, "I can only give you the corresponding reinforcements so that you can regain your fighting power in the short term." Rebuilding the 'Führer' regiment is another matter entirely, and I cannot promise you, not even the army group command. ”
However, Modell sent another piece of advice: "Tomorrow morning you will be on a plane to meet the SS national leader, and maybe he can help you." ”
■ "Savior of the Eastern Front" Modell, commander of the German 9th Army during the Defense of Lezhev.
The next day, Commander Qom flew to Rastenberg with Modell's orders. He first visited the SS national leader, and after a brief greeting, Himmler asked him why he had come. Colonel Qom briefed him on the Fuehrer regiment and then demanded to return to the camp on German soil for reconstruction.
Himmler replied slightly angrily, "This is completely impossible!" In the present situation on the Eastern Front, the Fuehrer will not allow any regiment to withdraw from the Eastern Front. I will give you 100 officers and 1,000 soldiers as soon as possible, so that you can rebuild your regiment in three weeks, close to the front. ”
Qom replied angrily: "Mr. National Leader, 100 officers and 1,000 soldiers are not enough for a regiment, let alone an elite 'Führer' regiment!" I need a force that has undergone basic training and grows step by step, so that we can win the next hard battle. If you stick to your point of view, please find someone else, I can't do it! ”
Himmler calmed down and said, "I will go with you to the Fuehrer's headquarters for dinner and introduce you to the Fuehrer, and then you will convince him yourself." ”
■ SS National Leader Himmler with his beloved general Otto Koum (left), this photo was taken in 1941, when Koum was still a major.
In the dining room of the Führer's headquarters, about 30 officers and several senior government officials were waiting for Hitler's arrival. Soon after, Hitler walked in with Himmler, who immediately summoned Kum and introduced him to the Führer. Hitler rested his arm on Qom's shoulder and motioned for him to sit on his right. Koom first served as an audience member, listening to Hitler's introduction to the "Führer" regiment in his own unique way: the breakthrough of the Grebbe line, the Jelnja salient, the Siege of Kiev, the rush to Moscow and the shocking Battle of Lezhev. Koum was shocked – he knew everything! Hitler then personally congratulated Commander Qom on having such a lean unit.
Hitler then asked, "What is your regiment doing now?" ”
Qom replied, "That's why I'm here, my Fuehrer. We have only 35 men left after the Battle of Lezhev, and I hope to rebuild in a training camp..."
Before he could finish speaking, Hitler replied, "No problem! I assure you that you will be well staffed and equipped. However, you have to regain your combat effectiveness within 3 months. ”
Hitler met with Otto Koum, and at Qom's direct request, Hitler agreed to rebuild the "Führer" regiment on German soil. According to German practice, the front-line troops with heavy losses should be reorganized in the rear not far from the front line after replenishing new soldiers, rather than withdrawing to Germany for complete reconstruction, which is equivalent to opening a "back door" for Qom.
At this time, Qom had other demands: "I hope to recall all the wounded and convalescent personnel of the 'Führer' regiment, so that we can regain our fighting strength within three months." ”
Hitler immediately gave the SS national leader Himmler a task at the table, ordering him to immediately recall the remaining personnel of the "Führer" regiment to Germany, designate training camps for reconstruction, and deliver the replenishment and weapons as quickly as possible.
That same night, Commander Qom sent a telegram to the East Front, ordering the whole regiment to return to Germany. Then, with a relaxed mood, he returned to Klagenfurt for a short vacation. Before mid-March, every soldier of the "Fuehrer" regiment was given a hard-won vacation, after which they rushed to the Fallingbostel training ground in Lueneberger. The preparatory battalion of the "Fuehrer" regiment was located in Stralsund, where several hospitals were located, and 400 veterans belonging to the "Führer" regiment were gathered together. The new "Fuehrer" regiment consists of experienced veterans and 3,000 recruits who are looking forward to regrouping and restoring combat effectiveness.
At a ceremony in the spring of 1943, at a ceremony to confer the medal, Kum (first from left) was followed by the officers and men of the completely rebuilt "Führer" regiment, which had just finished participating in the Kharkov counterattack in early 1943.