December 1941

Eastern Front

Volokolamsk falls to Groups Remizov and Katukov, while the II Guards Cavalry Corps of the 5th Army pushes toward Zvenigorod. The Soviets have drawn up to the Lama, Ruza and Moskva Rivers, but are being held by the 78th Infantry Division, XLVI Panzer Corps, 11th Panzer Division and the VII Corps.

Group Popov is in sight of Kaluga, the XLIII Corps having fallen back to the northwest and the 2nd Panzer Army to the southwest. Elements of the 10th Army push west toward Odoyevo and Livny, having crossed the Plava.

The 39th Army joins the Kalinin Front.

Under the mantle of Commander-in-Chief of the German Army, Hitler instructs the Ostheer to fight on its present positions, no further retreat west being permitted. The success of this order probably saves Army Group Center from defeat before Moscow.

On the home front, Goebbels issues an appeal to the civilian population to donate winter clothing to the Ostheer. The response from the German people is tremendous but only a fraction ever reaches the soldiers at the front, the bulk being claimed by the men of the rear.