Streets of Kharkov ETO (id:#67389)

(ASL Journal #17 ID: J272)   [next]   [previous]

Kharkov, Ukraine 1943-03-13 (7 others)

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Overview:

The "backhand blow" counteroffensive to retake Kharkov, the brainchild of Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein, was spearheaded by SS-Panzerkorps commanded by SS-Obergruppenfiihrer Paul Hausser. Instead of encircling Kharkov as ordered, Hausser sent SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 1 "LeibstandarteAdolf Hitler" and SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 2 "Das Reich" crashing directly into the city, which was strongly held by the Soviet 3rd Tank Army. Heavy fighting ensued, and Hausser finally relented to repeated orders to pull most of "Das Reich" out of the city, leaving "Leibstandarte" to clear out the Soviets. Commanded by SS-Obergruppenfii,hrer Sepp Dietrich, "Leibstandarte" formed its units into five kampfgruppen which attacked from the west and north. By 12 March, several spearheads converged on Dzerzhinsky Square. At this point Bataillon III of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2, commanded by SS-Sturmbannfahrer Joachim Peiper, thrust forward and managed to seize a small bridgehead over the Kharkov River. At the same time, SS-Aufldarungs-Abteilung 1, commanded by SS-Sturmbannfahrer Kurt "Panzermeyer" Meyer managed to break in from the northeast and grab a critical intersection in the rear of the Soviet defenders. Kampfgruppe Meyer was soon surrounded and hunkered down in a defensive hedgehog to await relief.

Defender: Russian (NKVD)/Russian (207th Separate NKVD Rifle Battalion, 17th NKVD Rifle Brigade and 315th Rifle Regiment, 19th Rifle Division and 3rd Tank Army with 179th Tank Brigade and 1st and 2nd Platoons, SMG Company, "OBBO (Seperate Combat Supplemental Battalion) 17th Rifle Brigade)  

Errata (source)