#0213_02 Novaya Vodolaga - Clash of the Elite - PzC 19 Kharkov 43

Kharkov - Feb 13th to 14th, 1943. 6th Guards Cavalry Corp had crossed both the Oskol and Severnyy Donets in the last fortnight. One more push north would see them across the Mzha and ready to rendezvous with 40th Army at Yubotin, closing the ring west of Kharkov. The Germans saw the threat that the Soviet cavalry posed to their supply lines and ultimately their ability to hold Kharkov. Detaching mobile troops from both Das Reich and Liebstandarte, German forces attacked on Feb 13th and subsequently pushed the cavalry back. Though bloody and bruised the cavalry maintained their cohesion and withdrew in good order. Ultimately the drawing away of the SS mobile troops weakened the remaining German positions and the Soviets were approaching Kharkov's outskirts by the evening of the 14th. (Size, Small) This scenario is recommended as either German player vs. AI or HTH. The German player is again under a time bind to push 6th Guards Cavalry Corp away from encircling Kharkov. There are actually not quite enough units to encircle the cavalry and they will have to be pushed out of the two towns they have occupied. For the Soviet player it is a matter of holding on with Novaya Vodolaga probably coming under the heaviest attack. The use of 201st Tank Brigade will be important.