Capture of Stalino
| Capture of Stalino | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Italian participation on the Eastern Front of World War II | |||||||||
 Italian soldiers fighting across the streets of Stalino, 1941. The city's industrial landscape can be notably seen in the background. | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
|
Kingdom of Italy Nazi Germany (limited) | Soviet Union | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Giovanni Messe | Andrey Smirnov | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
|
Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment 3rd Cavalry Division "Principe Amedeo Duca d'Aosta" | 18th Army (elements) | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown |
Unknown 12,000 prisoners[2] | ||||||||
The Battle of Stalino, also known as the Capture of Stalino, was a major engagement of World War II fought between the Kingdom of Italy and Nazi Germany against the Soviet Union during the Eastern Front. The Italians under the command of Giovanni Messe successfully captured Stalino (now Donetsk) and forced the Soviets to retreat.[3]
Background
Donbas was one of the most industrialized regions of the Soviet Union and therefore was one of the important objectives for Hitler's long-term economic goal. During Operation Barbarossa, the 1st Panzer Army was advancing rapidly, defeating the Red Army in a series of engagements. After the fall of Kiev earlier in September, the Wehrmacht was soon advancing into Eastern Ukraine and Western Russia, occupying important locations of Novo-Nikolayevka, Uspenovka and other territories of the Kursk Oblast. On 14th October, a major engagement took place between the Axis forces and the Soviet Union at Dnieper River. During the battle, the 1st "Savoia" Squadron, intent on reconnecting with the "Lancieri di Novara," came under intense fire and engaged in combat. Having dismounted his machine gunners to counter the fire, Lieutenant Donini Vannetti and his army led a counterattack against the Soviets, forcing them to retreat.[4]
The Regiment "Lancieri di Novara" (5th), stationed at Uspenovka, was unable to continue the offensive due to Soviet counterattacks. Hence, the Italians retreated from Uspenovka, and later, the next morning after the German reinforcements arrived and the combined Axis forces soon counterattacked, capturing Uspenovka and forcing the Soviets to retreat.[4]
Battle
An offensive against Stalino was planned; however, the 52nd Infantry Division "Torino" lacked essential transport. Hence, the attack on Stalino was coordinated between 9th Infantry Division "Pasubio" and 3rd Cavalry Division "Principe Amedeo Duca d'Aosta". Even though the conditions of roads were poor and difficult to travel, the Italian forces were able to navigate their way through the mud and rocks. A minor skirmish took place in the southern Kiev region, and after brief fighting, the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment was able to force the Soviets out. The Italians then stormed through Kurskovka and Mog-Pereskok, defeating the Soviets, wedging themselves into their rearguard, managing to occupy Grishino station (not to be confused with the pre-1934 name of Pokrovsk), and advancing until reaching Krasnoarmeysk (modern-day Pokrovsk) in the evening. The Italians occupied the village of Novopavlovka after a failed counteroffensive by the Red Army and advanced into the province of Stalino.[5]
The final attack on Stalino was coordinated by the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment using a new and effective tactis, with smaller but highly mobile units.[4][6] The defending Red Army were completely destroyed and the surviving remnants retreated towards Gorlovka and Rikovo.[5]
The city of Stalino and the surrounding region were occupied by the Axis forces after its capture until its liberation by the Red Army during the Donbas strategic offensive in August 1943.
Legacy
The Celere has accomplished superb feats in recent days, reviving the glories of its magnificent regiments. Its contribution to the occupation of the Stalino industrial zone was decisive. I feel immense pride in being your leader, because with your intrepid demeanor, you have created new and greater reasons for Italy to be proud. To all my warmest praise[5]
Notes
References
- ↑ Plocher, Generalleutnant Hermann (2017-06-28). The German Air Force versus Russia, 1941. Eschenburg Press. ISBN 978-1-78720-603-8.
Italian corps, captured Stalino on 20 October and occupied thereby the center of the industrial Donets Basin.
- ↑ DiNardo, R. L. (2005). Germany and the Axis Powers from Coalition to Collapse. University Press of Kansas. p. 127. ISBN 978-0-7006-1412-7.
- ↑ Times, Telephone To the New York (1941-10-22). "STALINO CLAIMED BY NAZIS IN SOUTH; Capture of Donets Steel City Extends Threat to War-Vital Region, Berlin Asserts". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- 1 2 3 Amministratore. "C.S.I.R. - Corpo di Spedizione Italiano in Russia". www.unirr.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
- 1 2 3 "C.S.I.R. - Corpo di spedizione Italiano in Russia". www.unirr.it. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Boylan, Kevin (2024-08-01). Barbarossa 1941: An Atlas of German Army Situation Maps. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 230. ISBN 978-1-4728-4393-7.
- Battles of World War II involving Italy
- Battles of World War II involving Germany
- Battles and operations of the Soviet–German War
- Italy–Soviet Union relations
- Battles and operations of World War II involving the Soviet Union
- Battles and operations of the Eastern Front (World War II)
- Battles involving the Soviet Union
- Italian participation on the Eastern Front
- Military history of Donetsk
- Military history of Ukraine during World War II
- 1941 in Ukraine