#0311_02s_Kharkov Envelopment - Disaster on the Donets - PzC 19 Kharkov 43

Kharkov Envelopment - Mar 11th to Mar 18th, 1943. While the SS Panzer Korp prepared to storm Kharkov, Korp Raus prepared to destroy both 40th and 69th Army. A day after 69th Army's unsuccessful counterattack at Bogodukhov, Gross Deutschland prepared to push the Soviets away from this important communication hub. LVII Panzer Korp joined XLVIII Panzer Korp attempt to breach the river line south of Kharkov and encircle the city from the southeast meeting SS Totenkopf's push from the north. Voronezh Front was so alarmed by the situation the 2nd Guards Tank Corp were released from reserve to try and remedy the situation. (Size, Campaign Game) This scenario is recommended as a HTH game. The German player holds all the aces here, he has strong forces ready to assault Kharkov and Korp Raus has essentially neutralised the Soviet 40th & 69th Armies. What he has the opportunity to do is to isolate Kharkov and destroy the forces within rather than just push them out. XLVIII Panzer Corp on the Mzha River and Totenkopf, northeast of Kharkov has the opportunity to close the ring meeting somewhere near Rogan. For the Soviet player it is important to maintain Kharkov as long as possible. This requires preventing the German link up mentioned above as well as bloodying the SS in the actual urban fighting. Around Bogodukhov 69th Army needs to hold the road network as it extricates its Rifle Division out of a dangerous bulge formed the prior day.