#0202_02s Operation Gallop - One more push to the Azov Sea - PzC 19 Kharkov 43

Operation Gallop - Feb 2nd to Feb 19th, 1943. Stalingrad surrendered today. While Voronezh Front launched Operation Star, South Western Front pushed to take advantage of their multiple bridgeheads over the Sevrenyy Donets. This is the initial campaign by South Western Front to drive to the Sea of Azov and isolate Army Group South. The Soviets aim was twofold, firstly to drive directly south through Slavyansk and Artemovsk with Popov's Mobile Group. The second aim was to use 6th Army to push towards the west, covering the deep flank of Popov's troops. Once the German's resolved to hold Slavyansk against Popov, the Soviet offensive turned south west with the aim of cutting the east/west railway at Sinel'nikovo and if the opportunity presented itself, taking the Dnepr river crossings at Dnepropetrovsk. (Size, Campaign Game) This is another challenging HTH campaign game. Soviet forces will be able to push across the Donets and into the open steppe beyond. Unit density will be low and defending at critical towns or intersections more the norm. Slavyansk's control of the north/south road requires it be either cleared or bypassed to the west, with Barvenkovo the next major road south. The decision will be whether to storm Slavyansk or spread thinly west. For the German player the challenge is to survive the initial crisis at Slavyansk and then to counter the Soviet moves. Both sides have good mechanized forces, but the Axis player will find much of it tied down defending rather than counterattacking. Historically 320th Infantry Division had an epic march back to Andreyevka in three regimental columns. At various times each of these were surrounded, but ultimately all survived, partly on fortitude but more because it was opposed by the infantry heavy 6th Army.