A Siege of Their Own ETO (id:#59982)

(Schwerpunkt #13 ID: SP156)   [next]   [previous]

Velikeye Luki, Russia 1943-01-10 (5 others)

Overview:

With the Stalingrad offensive nearing its conclusion, Army Group Center was suffering a siege of its own at the rail center of Velikeye Luki. The Germans fortified their bridgehead along the Lovat River with the intent of resuming offensive operations after another harsh Russian winter. However General Purkayev of the Third Shock Army had offensive plans of his own and would need the bridgehead and transportation facilities at Velikeye Luki and encircled the city during the middle of November. Hitler’s standfast order prevented any withdrawals, but several attempts were made to break the encirclement. Most of the relief attempts were thrown back into the frigid wasteland, but on the 10th of January, a small column of light infantry and a few tank destroyers made a daring daylight dash through the Soviet lines to join the defenders. Within a week, the few remaining defenders would attempt to break out from Velikeye Luki. Only 150 men would make it.

Defender: German (Elements 83rd Infantry Division, 5th Jaeger Btn & Sturmgeschutz Kompanie 459)  

Errata (source)