January 1942

Eastern Front

The 3rd and 4th Shock Armies begin to attack across the frozen surface of Lake Selinger but encounter fierce resistance from the 16th Army. Th 3rd Shock plans to punch through the German defenses and advance upon Kholm and Velikiye Luki, crushing the southern flank of the 16th Army, while the 4th Shock Army exploits the hole in the German line and rushes forward to storm Vitebsk. The 22nd Army provides support on the left flank. As the Northwest Front increases the pressure upon the right wing of the 16th Army, the German defenses at Peno, near Andreapol, begin to crumble. Elements of the 11th Army penetrate into the German rear and moves up to Staraya Russa.

Bitter fighting continues at Rzhev as the 29th and 39th Armies pound the 9th Army. The Germans throw back each Soviet attack, albeit with heavy casualties. Farther south, the 49th Army is involved in heavy fighting as it advances toward Vyazma, while the 10th Army storms Lyudinovo, taking the town after a fierce battle with the 2nd Panzer Army. The 10th Army is ordered to take Kirov and then cut the Vyazma-Bryansk railway. The 3rd and 13th Armies join the 61st Army attacks upon Bolkhov.