Difference between revisions of "Battle of Isbuscenskij (Savoia Cavalry Regiment charge)"
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On 23 August 1942, the ''Savoia'' Cavalry Regiment, under Colonel Alessandro Bettoni was ordered to take Hill 213.5 in order to secure the right flank of the mountain troops of the ''Sforzesca'' that had been forced to withdraw to new positions. The Italian cavalry reinforcements advanced under the cover of darkness of 23/24 August, but the ''Savoia'' soon came under fire from two battalions from the Russian 812th Regiment that had just taken up positions overnight in preparations for further attacks against the Italian lines. The Italian Commanding Officer, Colonel Bettoni Cazzago decided to counter-attack immediately the Russians in order to regain the initiative. With Captain Francesco De Leone leading the the 2nd Squadron forward shouting "Avanti Savoia!"., the Italian cavalrymen eventually overran the 812th Regiment in a series of attacks lasting several hours. | On 23 August 1942, the ''Savoia'' Cavalry Regiment, under Colonel Alessandro Bettoni was ordered to take Hill 213.5 in order to secure the right flank of the mountain troops of the ''Sforzesca'' that had been forced to withdraw to new positions. The Italian cavalry reinforcements advanced under the cover of darkness of 23/24 August, but the ''Savoia'' soon came under fire from two battalions from the Russian 812th Regiment that had just taken up positions overnight in preparations for further attacks against the Italian lines. The Italian Commanding Officer, Colonel Bettoni Cazzago decided to counter-attack immediately the Russians in order to regain the initiative. With Captain Francesco De Leone leading the the 2nd Squadron forward shouting "Avanti Savoia!"., the Italian cavalrymen eventually overran the 812th Regiment in a series of attacks lasting several hours. | ||
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| + | ==Russian counterattacks== | ||
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| + | While the Italians consolidated their gains, the Russians mounted counterattacks on 25 and 26 August, but were unable to regain the initiative in the fighting in the ''Sforzesca'' sector. | ||
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| + | ==Aftermath== | ||
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| + | The Italians report the loss of 32 men killed (including 3 officers) and 79 wounded in the battle, the Russians lost 250 dead, 300 wounded with 900 captured. After the battle, Colonel Bettoni made his squadrons march parade formation through the battle site with downed swords in honor of the fallen of both sides. A German officer that witnessed the cavalry charge, complimented Bettoni, telling him ''“We [the Germans] aren’t able to perform such things anymore”'' . Contrary to popular belief, the last cavalry charge during the Second World War would take place during the initial stages of [[Operation Husky]], the Allied invasion of of Sicily. | ||
Revision as of 22:24, November 15, 2016
The Battle of Isbuscenskij was a four-day battle between Italian and-German invading forces and defending Russians, that took place between 22 and 26 August 1942 on the steppes of Isbuschenski.
On the night of 22/23 August, the Russian 197th, 203rd Rifle Divisions and 14th Guards Division with tank support, attacked the 2nd Sforzesca Mountain Division. The Italians relinquished terriotry, but reinforced the Sforzesca with the Novarra and Savoia Cavalry Regiments and a German infantry regiment. A counter-attack from the Pasubio Division and supporting 88th Croatian Legion and German battalion failed in the face of intense Russian fire. The Axis commander, General Giovanni Messe hoped to restore the broken lines with a diversionary attack in the forthcoming battle.
Cavalry charge
On 23 August 1942, the Savoia Cavalry Regiment, under Colonel Alessandro Bettoni was ordered to take Hill 213.5 in order to secure the right flank of the mountain troops of the Sforzesca that had been forced to withdraw to new positions. The Italian cavalry reinforcements advanced under the cover of darkness of 23/24 August, but the Savoia soon came under fire from two battalions from the Russian 812th Regiment that had just taken up positions overnight in preparations for further attacks against the Italian lines. The Italian Commanding Officer, Colonel Bettoni Cazzago decided to counter-attack immediately the Russians in order to regain the initiative. With Captain Francesco De Leone leading the the 2nd Squadron forward shouting "Avanti Savoia!"., the Italian cavalrymen eventually overran the 812th Regiment in a series of attacks lasting several hours.
Russian counterattacks
While the Italians consolidated their gains, the Russians mounted counterattacks on 25 and 26 August, but were unable to regain the initiative in the fighting in the Sforzesca sector.
Aftermath
The Italians report the loss of 32 men killed (including 3 officers) and 79 wounded in the battle, the Russians lost 250 dead, 300 wounded with 900 captured. After the battle, Colonel Bettoni made his squadrons march parade formation through the battle site with downed swords in honor of the fallen of both sides. A German officer that witnessed the cavalry charge, complimented Bettoni, telling him “We [the Germans] aren’t able to perform such things anymore” . Contrary to popular belief, the last cavalry charge during the Second World War would take place during the initial stages of Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of of Sicily.