#0213_01_Fall of Kharkov - Act I : Liberation - PzC 19 Kharkov 43

Kharkov - Feb 13th to 16th, 1943. Voronezh Front launched its assault on the Ukrainian city of Kharkov on Feb 13th. The Soviet plan called for the 40th Army to thrust south and meet the northward attacking 6th Guard Cavalry Corp at Yubotin, thereby isolating the city. Concurrently, 3rd Tank Army and 69th Army were to assail the German defenses east of the city, thereby holding the Germans in place while the other Soviet forces encircled them. The Germans determined that the Soviet cavalry south of the city were the most dangerous and attacked them with mobile troops from both Das Reich and Liebstandarte. This attack went in on the 13th and subsequently pushed the cavalry back. In the meantime the missing mobile troops weakened the remaining German positions and the Russians were approaching Kharkov's outskirts by the evening of the 14th. The situation quickly deteriorated and with the roads out of the city being progressively cut, SS General Hausser abandoned the city during the 16th. By nightfall the city was in Soviet hands. (Size, Large) This scenario is recommended for HTH play but could be played against the AI for either side. The German player has a quandary. 6th Guards Cavalry Corp threatens the German deep flank. SS mobile troops in position could either eliminate the threat which will take time or screen the cavalry off tying up some troops. It will be up to the German player to decide if these forces are moved back to try and shore up east of Kharkov. For the Soviet player, 3rd Tank, 40th & 69th Army have very significant forces that can be used to pressure the German all along the line. In 40th Army sector in particular, weight of numbers should be able to push Korp Raus back. 4th Guards Tank Corp and the Ski Brigades maneuverability will be key here. Historically, the SS mobile forces were too late to relieve the pressure exerted by 3rd Tank Army in particular. There was initially very heavy fighting at Rogan on the road to Chuguev, but once that position was stormed, there was little distance to Kharkov.