III./Rgt. Deutschland (SS-Sturmbannfuhrer Wisliceny) and II./Rgt. Deutschland (SS-Sturmbannfuhrer Bissinger) were to lead the attack with attachments from 16./Komp/Rgt.Deutschland. I./Rgt. Deutschland (SS-Sturmbannfuhrer Weidinger) was in reserve. Due to the poor going in the area the support provided by the Tiger company and the Sturmgeschutzabteilung didn't materialise so the attack is only supported by Regimental assets.
Nipe indicates that the Russians were deployed in an arc around 3 sides of the town of Jachnotow (Iakhontov). Glantz & House show the position as being a platoon sized forward outpost and not the main defensive line. Nipe goes on to state that the main position in the village was ringed by Minefields and a deep tank ditch.
From the map you can see Iakhontov almost in the centre of the map south west of Beresov and the road that takes you upto the main cross road.
The accounts do seem to indicate that there were forward positions but not how far out they were.
The first stage of the attack into the village sees 3./Kompanie SS-Pioniere-Bataillon (SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer Arnold) clearing paths for the assault teams into the village under heavy mortar and artillery fire. Once they have cleared the paths they then start breaching the ditch and the assault battalions pass through.
The Assault battalion attacks the forward bunkers and then advance deeper into the village under increasing fire. At 0230hrs SS-Sturmbahnfuhrer Wisliceny reports by radio that the village was in german hands. 45 minutes later the division's artillery begins shelling the russian main defences at Beresoff (Berezov).
Lucas (p.104) has a line that by 0300 III./Rgt Deutschland has become involved in bitter fighting after moving off. The objectives of this subsequent attack were the line of trenches in front of yet another tank ditch and then the village of Beresov (Berezov, Beresoff).
So this scenario will end when the SS battalions have reached their intended jump off positions for the main attack.
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