0804_01: A Close Brush with Disaster - PzC 09 Rzhev '42

Pogoreloe in the Sychevka Sector, Aug 4th 1942: The eyes of the world, watching the East Front, were all focused on the titanic struggle developing in the south, as the German Army drove toward Stalingrad. In the north, around Moscow, the Russians were looking for ways to bleed off any Axis troops bound for Army Group South by making diversionary attacks. But the real intent behind Zhukov's plan, with these attacks, was to crush Army Group Center. Here Soviet Armies forced their own way steadily toward Rzhev, and then Konev upped the stakes by releasing his fresh 6th and 8th Tank Corps along with the 2nd Guards Cavalry. General Model responded by throwing in his own operational Panzer reserves to close the breach in his line. A major battle for control of Zubtsov ensued. [Size, medium]