January 1942

Eastern Front

To the accompaniment of massed artillery fire, the Volkhov Front launches its offensive along the Volkhov. Fierce fighting develops as the partially deployed 2nd Shock and 59th Armies attac the I and XXXVIII Corps. The hastily prepared Soviet attacks fail to penetrate the German positions.

South of Lake Ilmen, the Northwest Front begins probing attacks against the X and II Corps of the 16th Army, concentrating its efforts in the 11th Army sector near Staraya Russa. The Germans have recently brought the 18th Motorized Division down to this sector and in heavy fighting it inflicts severe casualties upon the Soviet units. For the operation the Soviets have assembled 106,000 men between the 1st Shock, 11th, 34th and 53rd Armies. The 3rd SS Totenkopf, 30th and 290th Infantry Divisions absorbed the main force of the Soviet attacks. All three divisions lose considerable number during the fighting.

The Kalinin Front reaches the Volga near Rzhev, having mauled 6 German divisions during the fight around the town.

The Bryansk Front renews its attacks in teh Bolkhov-Orel-Kromy area with the 61st Army. The 3rd and 13th Armies will join the attack shortly.