| 2nd Mechanised Corps (June 1940-Aug 1941) |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1941 |
| Country | Soviet Union |
| Branch | Armoured Forces |
| Type | Mechanised Corps |
| Engagements | Operation München Battle of Uman |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Lieutenant General Iu. V. Novoselsky |
The 2nd Mechanised Corps was a formation in the Soviet Red Army during the Second World War.
Initially formed in June 1940 in response the German victories of 1940 it was attached to the Odessa Military District, & attached to the 9th Army in the Odessa fortified region in Soviet Union[1] It was under the command of Lieutenant General Iu. V. Novoselsky[2] when the German Operation Barbarossa began in June 1941. It initially comprised the 11th and 16th Tank Divisions, & the 15th Mechanized Division.[3]a
After the Invasion began the Odessa Military District was renamed Southern Front, Commanded by Colonel General I. V. Tiulenev. The front fielded the 9th and 18th Armies. The 2nd Mechanized Corps was heavily involved in the first battles of Operation Barbarossa, taking part with Colonel General A. K. Cherevichenko's 9th Army in Operation München to defend Soviet occupied Bessarabia. Against Generaloberst Schobert's 11th Army, which had penetrated Soviet defenses, captured Iassy & reached the Prut River on the first day of action.[4] However after initially withdrawing to behind the Dniester River on Tiulenev's orders Stavka ordered 6th Army & 2nd Mechanized Corps to recapture the Prut River line. By 18 July Schobert's 11th Army, had crossed the Dniester River & Stavka finally realised that the 6th, 12th & 18th Armies faced encirclement & ordered the 2nd Mechanized Corps to the Uman region to halt the German advance into Southern Front's rear. The line was already in German hands & this decision was far too late. Mikhail Kirponos commander of Southwestern Front now ordered 26th Army to wheel about & cover their withdrawal & for 6th & 12th Armies to attack eastwards to meet up. By 20 July, 2nd Mechanized Corps was holding open a narrow corridor upon to the east between LVIII Panzer Corps & 17th Army. 2 days later the trap was shut & although the 2nd Mechanized Corps tried to free the surrounded armies on 8 August the fighting was over & 107,000 officers & men, including Generals Pondelin & Muzychenko, 4 corps commanders & 11 division commanders, 286 tanks & 953 guns were captured. Another two corps commanders & six division commanders perished in the fighting. 2nd Mechanized Corps was largely destroyed & was dissolved a short time later.[5]b
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