Battle of Chazepetovka

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Battle of Chazepetovka
Part of Italian–Soviet War
Date5–14 December 1941
Location
Shepetivka, Soviet Union
Result Decisive Italian victory
Belligerents
Supported by:
 Germany
Supported by:
 United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Kingdom of Italy Giovanni Messe Soviet Union Unknown
Units involved

In early November 1941, the renewed Italian offensive against the Soviet salient north of Yelenovka was among the grandest local operations conducted by the Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia. Following an earlier defeat, this offensive was designed to allow for a larger encirclement around the Soviet salient using units of the 9th Infantry Division "Pasubio" and 52nd Infantry Division "Torino", creating a straighter front and driving the Soviets from their bulge into the Italian lines. The fighting occurred under extremely adverse winter weather and very strong Soviet defensive positions, resulting in fierce fighting around several small villages on the way to Chazepetovka.

Battle

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After the unsuccessful assault around mid-November, General Messe ordered a renewed attack on the Soviet salient extending out into the Italian Theatre. This second operation would be larger, have a more complex plan and feature the combined efforts of the "Pasubio" Division and "Torino" Division. An Italian advance would no longer advance directly toward the Yelenovka - Ubescicce line. Instead, the Italians would advance in two columns toward the village of Chazepetovka approximately 15 km north of Yelenovka and then turn east then bend south to the final objective.[1]

On 4-5 November, after reconnaissance was done, the "Torino" Division attacked at 6 November against the Soviet 95th NKVD Regiment. Strong Soviet resistance limited the initial Italian gains, but the 81st Infantry Regiment "Torino" found a more suitable course of advance some kilometres to the west. By 7 November the regiment advanced on the Soviet position penetrating deeper and encountering stronger organised resistance as it approached. Just after noon Italian troops reached Chazepetovka, a small village still in Soviet control, the last major obstacle to Chazepetovka.[2]

The capture of the village was extremely important to the survival of the attacking units due to extremely low temperatures of -30 C degrees. Italian units were under fire from the village and both flanks, and the combat is described below.[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ "Panzer Grenadier Headquarters - Library: Fronte Russo #12 - Gates of Chazepetovka". www.pg-hq.com. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
  2. ^ Scianna, Bastian Matteo (2019-09-09). The Italian War on the Eastern Front, 1941–1943: Operations, Myths and Memories. Springer Nature. p. 109. ISBN 978-3-030-26524-3.
  3. ^ "war and social upheaval: World War II -- Italian campaigns Barbarossa". histclo.com. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
  4. ^ "C.S.I.R. - Corpo di spedizione Italiano in Russia". www.unirr.it. Retrieved 2025-12-12.