Flashing Sword of Retribution

[herr_oberst]

February 2, 1943. 14:00.
The retreat continues, hoping on the promised relief force from the SS.
In the north flank, mobile elements of Grossdeutschland Division are trying to disengage from the pursuing soviet armor before getting trapped and slaughtered by the mass of russian infantry (fortunately on foot).
To the center "Der Fuhrer" regiment supported by Grossdeutschland armor is executing a fighting withdrawal in the face of a soviet armored and cavalry advance.
In the middle of the line, the battered remnants of 298º and 320º Infanterie Divisions are being decimated and slowly retreating. The desition to make a stand at the river Oskol was a hard one, the poor landsers don´t have a chance; but having they run westward means sure encirclement by the soviet armored formations. At least in their positions they can hold a little longer and hope for aid. It is a situation similar to the 1941 winter in the central front...
Meanwhile, the exhausted 19º Panzer Division reached Izium as the pursuing armor dissapeared. But a dangerous gap exists bethween them an the southern front. Reconnaissance detected a russian advance in the Bororodichnoye area heading Barvenkovo or Slaviansk, and mobile reserves are rushing to close the gap.
It is impossible to have a stabilized front and cozy flanks in this damned huge and frozen russian steppe!