H2H-**Winter Push to Krasongrad - The Matrix Games version of East Front II

Ed Silcox [GD] 17 December, 1941 Valka, S of Kharkov:[H2H][Hypo-HISB] [Ea - On] [N V V] [Version 1.1] The Barbarossa steam roller ran out of steam. First the mud. Then the vacillations of Der Fueher. Then the crazy order to withdraw 90 kilometers followed immediately by the orders to hold in place which helped to paralyze the German army. Super cold weather and snow began to take it's toll. Stalin orders counter attacks all along the lines. The sun was glinting off the fresh snowfall between the squalls of the wind driven and blinding snow. The 57th Army knew the area around Valka well. It was where they cut their "teeth" against the German heavy blows during the end of Barbarossa. Ryabyshev's 57th along with Kharitonov's 9th Army will drive a deep wedge into the lines of Hoth's 17th Army. The German army sat frozen in the snow. Only a few German tanks could move and only when the crews started fires under their oil pans. Reports of Russians "every where" had the German armor moving (when it could) in all directions to thwart the Russian advancing columns. Winter had come with a monstrous vengeance. The Russians had a better understanding of the weather and could muster not only their armor but they could launch some limited air attacks in support of their advance. This Soviet assault will bring further pain and suffering upon the Germans who could hardly cope with the Winter's cold let alone the hammer blows of cold Soviet steel. Valka and the surrounding villages would soon provide a place to shelter from the bitter cold. Other Soviet units fighting their way to Kharkov were doing well and the 57th's gaining of the region around Valka would help to rip open the frozen and soft underbelly of the German armies in Southern Russia. By the end of the day who will hold the billets and a chance at a warm nights rest?