December 1941

Eastern Front

North of Moscow, the 4th Panzer Group pushes forward as far as Khimki, only 12 miles from the city, but the Russians launch strong counterattacks which push the Germans back from the town. The 4th Army continues to attack the 33rd and 43rd Armies at Golizno and Akulovo, being involved in furious fighting in both sectors. After a bitter struggle, Akulovo falls. From here the 4th Army can see the spires of the Kremlin on the eastern horizon, but this is as close as they will get to their objective. Efremov taks command of a composite group of 1 rifle and 2 tank brigades to force the Germans back. The group counterattack, striking the flank of the XX Corps and almost isolating elements at Aprelevka.

To the south, the 2nd Panzer Army launches an attack on Tula, taking the 50th Army by surprise. The Germans aim to encircle the town with 2 shock groups formed around the 3rd and 4th Panzer Divisions. These will attack to the west from the area north of Tula, while a third group, containing XLIII Corps' 31st and 296th Divisions, attack east from northwest of the city. Despite a day of bitter fighting, which cuts the Tula-Moscow road, the Germans are unable to break through and go onto the defensive. The XLVII Panzer Corps, situated farther east, is brought under intense pressure as the Soviets begin to counterattack.

The fighting around Rostov has been costly for the Soviets. The South Front has suffered 11,000 killed and 13,000 wounded since November 17, while the 56th Army has lost 4,000 killed and 5,000 wounded.