16th Mechanized Brigade of the 7th Mechanized Corps in the Pyatikhat Operation of 1943

Introduction. The Pyatikhat offensive operation of the Steppe (2nd Ukrainian) front completes a series of major battles in 1943, but it remains poorly studied, especially on the issue of the actions of individual units (corps, divisions, and brigades). Methods and materials. Declassification of a large set of archival materials allows gradually eliminating this gap in the historiography of the Great Patriotic War. Conducting an objective analysis of combat logs, comparing them with previously published sources has allowed considering the participation of the 16th mechanized brigade in the first stage of the Pyatikhat operation from October 15 to November 5, 1943. Analysis. The article discusses the process of forming and training of the brigade in July-September, the breakthrough of the German defense, the liberation of the city of Pyatikhat and other localities from October 15 to 21, 1943, defensive battles on the approaches to Krivoy Rog (from October 21 to November 4, 1943). Results. For the 16th mechanized brigade formed in summer 1943, participation in this operation was a real baptism of fire. Together with other brigades of the 7th mechanized corps, it actively participated in the liberation of the city of Pyatikhatka and other localities. At the same time, soldiers of the brigade showed mass heroism, breaking through the defense of the Nazis and destroying enemy’s equipment. Then, retreating slightly under the counterattacks of fresh German units, the 16th MB steadfastly and courageously defended the lines assigned to it. The analysis of the ratio of losses of the brigades personnel and similar damage to the enemy shows that in the Pyatikhat operation, the 16th mechanized brigade performed its task with high efficiency, and most of its officers proved themselves competent commanders and courageous soldiers.