The map of July 8, posted above, is the last map that features Totenkopf on the right flank of II SS Pz Corps. However, you can see behind II SS Panzer Corps the arrival of 167 Infantry Division from Army Group reserves, and it is inserted in line to the left of 168 Infantry Division in all subsequent maps. Totenkopf was then released to “castle” to the left behind Liebstandarte and Das Reich to give more weight to the main punch.
The Germans had a number of problems in the south, and probably the biggest one was finding enough infantry to protect the ever lengthening flanks of the pentetrations made by the panzer spearheads. Bringing up 167 ID was one of the few times they were able to do this. The effect was salutary, in that it allowed II SS Pz Corps to leap over the Psel, and almost break out into the open country.
The really key flank failure was that Breith’s III Panzer Corps of Army Detachment Kempf was never able to keep pace with II SS Pz Corps. Breith was supposed to be Hausser’s flank protection, but never cleared the path north of the Donetz. Breith will not be able to close the gap tomorrow, and that will be the decisive factor in this battle.
Sorry, I need to read my own maps better;
167 ID was swapped with Totenkopf, and was not brought out of reserve. It really didn’t appear to serve much purpose in separating the panzers of XXXXVIII Pz Corps and II SS Pz Corps.
But I do recall reading in Glantz and other books that Hausser didn’t like having to use Totenkopf as flank protection. It was a powerful, aggressive panzer division. The soldiers and officers cultivated a reputation for bravery that was reckless. Hausser didn’t want it on the flank, he wanted it on the point. 167 ID insertion on the right flank allowed him to do this.
Thanks