Capture of Stalino
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.
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.
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.
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 (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 after a failed counteroffensive by the Red Army and advanced into the province of Stalino.
The final attack on Stalino was coordinated by the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment using a new and effective tactis, with smaller but highly mobile units. The defending Red Army were completely destroyed and the surviving remnants retreated towards Gorlovka and Rikovo.
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.
