#a0106_06 Rzhev : Fording the Volga (HTH) - PzC 21 Moscow 42

Volga River near Rzhev - Jan 6th to Jan 9th, 1942. Maslennikov's 39th Army had been the decisive factor in pushing the Germans back to Rzhev. It had been a new formation when attached to Kalinin Front in late December and still retained much of its strength despite the heavy fighting of the last fortnight. Stalin expected much more though. With the counter offensive being expanded, 39th Army was expected to not just capture Rzhev, but also cross the Volga and push on towards the South. 39th Army was to become the Northern pincer of the great encirclement of Heeresgruppe Mitte that Stalin planned. (Size, Medium) This scenario is recommended for HTH. The Soviet player will again need to push very hard to breach the Volga and reach the highway beyond in the four days allocated. The German lines are thin though with little in reserve. The terrain is also relatively clear and the Soviets have a few attached Tank Battalions. The German position is dire with a very strong Soviet Army attacking two understrength Infantry Divisions. The fresh and full strength 693rd Infantry Regiment (339th Infantry Division) had just railed into Rzhev from garrison duty and its deployment, the key to the battle.