A blizzard settles in, mainly in the AGC and AGS zones.
[These battles were partly covered above as they occurred in the Soviet turn 30]
East of Orel, a lone infantry regiment in AGC’s VIII Corps under Rendulic heroically fended off an attack from almost 60,000 Soviets (including elite Airborne forces) but were forced to retreat.
Further south, three Soviets Armies attack Hungarian and Wehrmacht forces on the Mistki-Kharkov Highway. AGS forces were not dug in and were also forced back.
Northeast of Stalino, the Soviets mass artillery of three Armies and launch a huge attack lead by two Soviet Cavalry Corps supported by Ski troops and four Rifle Divisions. Launched at the juncture of two Corps, General Hube took command. Initially, the mass attack was repelled but the mobility of the Soviet Cavalry proved too much and a retreat was ordered.
Losses from Soviet attacks:
In the AGN sector all was quiet except for the coarse singing of the many Soviet civilians and servicemen that had chosen to cross the lines and join the enemy. These Hiwi’s, started joining our formations in vast numbers. It is reported that they number over at least 6000 and grow every week. They sing of past victories and scary beings that live deep in the woods.
Over the last few weeks High Command has put together a risky venture, an attack towards Rzhev called Operation Shevardino (a Napoleonic battle that occurred nearby). Soviet forces along the front in this area have appeared weak for some time. German Arctic weather stations had reporting on the movement of the Polar Fronts. This coupled with information gathered through the Luftwaffe’s Westra 5 unit in Norway allowed High command to put together an accurate picture of the oncoming weather. Forces were put in position the previous week.
Blizzard line and attack direction:
Recon flights were conducted by the Luftwaffe to discover the extent of Soviet forces in the Rzhev area. An army Group, code named Baba Yaga, consisting of Panzers, SS motorised units and infantry broke through the Soviet lines on a 30 mile frontage. The initial breakthroughs were supported by Stuka’s and 110s from the Luftwaffe. Forces of the Soviet 55th Army under General Lopatin (no Kutuzov) were arrayed against Group Baba Yaga. Attacking along the face of the blizzard, bicycle recon troops attached to 36th Motorised Division even reached as far as the outskirts of Rzhev travelling 40 miles deep into the enemy lines along the snowy Rzhev Vyazma road in pursuit of the remains of the 119th Rifle Division.
The butchers bill:
Not to be outdone, AGC’s 2nd and 20th Panzer Divisions lashed out in the blizzard against 12th Cavalry Corps routing it and gutting its attached tanks forces.
It climbs:
And again as AGS/AGA pile on the heat:
It is reported that all Armies are strong, well supplied and in good spirits.
More blizzards next week.
