X-Nico

13 unusual facts about Lake Ilmen


Hans Beißwenger

He did not return to base after an air combat south of Lake Ilmen near Staraja Russa on 6 March 1943 and Oberleutnant Hans Beißwenger, flying Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 (Werknummer 14236—factory number) "yellow 4", was posted as missing.

Heinrich Sterr

At the time it was based at Ryelbitzi, west of Lake Ilmen covering the battles around Demyansk Pocket as the Soviets continued to try and break through the German forces in front of Leningrad.

Jagdgeschwader 54

JG 54's operations for 1941-43 had essentially a twofold objective; to keep pressure upon the beleaguered Leningrad sector, and to reduce Soviet pressure on the Lake Ilmen area at the German flank.

Joachim Schubach

In July 1941 he was awarded the Iron Cross 1st class at Demjansk during the invasion of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) and the German Cross in Gold in September 1942 at Lake Ilmen.

Lake Ilmen

The basin of Lake Ilmen contains vast areas in Novgorod, Pskov, and Tver Oblasts of Russia, as well as minor areas in the north of Vitebsk Region in Belarus.

According to the Max Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary, the name of the lake originates from the Finnish "Ilmajärvi", which means "small lake".

Ludwig Köchle

Köchle was killed in action on the 9 June 1942 near Polizo southwest of Lake Ilmen when he received a direct hit from an artillery shell.

Max-Hellmuth Ostermann

Ostermann was killed in action on 9 August 1942 far behind Soviet lines east of Lake Ilmen.

He was killed in aerial combat with Soviet fighters southeast of Lake Ilmen on 9 August 1942.

Novgorod Kremlin

Novgorod Kremlin (also Detinets) stands on the left bank of the Volkhov River in Veliky Novgorod about two miles north of where it empties out of Lake Ilmen.

Paul-Werner Hoppe

In the spring of 1942, he received a severe leg wound in fighting the Red Army near Lake Ilmen in the Demyansk Pocket in Novgorod Oblast, U.S.S.R.

Perkwunos

Fittingly, there is a sanctuary to Perun located on a height called Perynь near Novgorod (It is located on the northern shore of Lake Ilmen where Volkhov River starts. Nowadays there is a church and a monastery).

Voldemārs Reinholds

Battalion was involved in anti-partisan duties in the Leningrad Front (near the Lake Ilmen and Staraya Russa).