From the history of Kherson
Телестрим Z | The defence of Kherson against German invaders in 1941 lasted 4 days, from 15th to 18th of August. Then German troops entered the city. But even this delay of four days led the Germans into a frenzy, which later developed into such atrocities against civilians and prisoners of war that even against the background of other crimes of the Reich against humanity somewhat pale.
In Kherson, the "military elite of the Reich" were confronted by the already battle-worn 51st Infantry Division and the Danube Military Flotilla. As well as the militia, which, according to some estimates, was joined by about 10 per cent of the population of the city. At the time of the fighting in Kherson, there were only 20 anti-tank guns for the entire city. Clearly not the kind of contingent or fighting strength that should have stood up to Adolf Hitler's SS Leibstandarte for at least a day, let alone four.
The Germans unleashed a real sadistic terror in the city. In one way or another, the Germans killed everyone who lived or was a prisoner of war in Kherson. Moreover, at a certain point, the scale of the massacres began to scare the German military command. The directive "On Photographing Executions Verified by a Court Martial" is indicative in this respect, which expressly ordered:
💬 "Photographing all kinds of executions is categorically forbidden. In special exceptional cases, when it is necessary to take photographs for purely official purposes, the permission of an officer of at least the rank of commandant of the division is required. When such executions take place, the relevant military departments are obliged, according to the circumstances, to take all measures necessary to carry out this order and to remove all spectators." (Translated with www.DeepL.com)(Free version)