#22 Cutting the Turkey's Neck - PzC 03 Kharkov '42

Izyum, 125km SE of Kharkov, May 18th, 1942: The city of Izyum on the Donets River was a key Soviet supply and communication center for the whole Kharkov bulge. By this stage of the Russian offensive, a disaster was in the making. The Soviet drive westward from the bulge was turning out to be another huge pocket reminiscent of the previous summer. The Germans, using forces poised for their own attack, Operation Fridericus, struck the exposed Russian southern flank on the morning of May 17. Led by the 16th Panzer Division, with strong infantry support, they quickly slashed through the Russian's front lines. Their goal was to cut the off the neck of the bulge and trap two Russian armies in a new pocket. The Soviets had other ideas; elements of the 51st Rifle and 30th Cavalry divisions fiercely defended the river crossings of the Donets. [2200 sq Km - Length: 14 turns]