January 1942

Eastern Front

The Northwest Front receives new orders for operations against Army Groups North and Center. The 3rd and 4th Shock Armies are to seize Ostashkov and Toropets and smash the junction of the two army groups. The attack is planned for January 9 and is aimed to destroy the northern wing of Army Group Center, completing the envelopment of the German armies before Moscow. Already hard pressed by the Kalinin Front, the 9th Army requests permission to withdraw from its positions on the Volga to a shorter line to the rear. Hitler categorically forbids a withdrawal, ordering the 9th to hold its line. To the south, the West Front recaptures Maloyaroslavets as the 4th Army falls back.

The fighting on the Kerch peninsula has cost the Soviets 30,000 killed and missing and 7,700 wounded of 62,000 originally committed. The Soviets have also lost 35 tanks, 133 artillery pieces and 39 aircraft.