January 1942

Eastern Front

The attacks of the 2nd Shock and 59th Armies fail to open the German defenses along the Volkhov and die down. Sokolov is sacked from command of the 2nd Shock and replaced with Klykov. The Soviets prepare to renew the attack in the next few days, this time in conjunction with an attack by the Leningrad Front from the Neva river. It is hoped that this attack will draw the Germans away from the Volkhov, enabling Meretskov to effect a breakthrough. On the southern flank, the offensive by the Northwest Front progresses slowly as the 3rd and 4th Shock Armies smash their way through the strong German defenses north of Lake Selinger.

The 39th Army pushes south past Rzhev, having torn a hole in the German line. The 29th Army continues to attack Rzhev itself.

The German 6th Army launches a ferocious counterattack against the flanks of the 21st and 40th Armies, disrupting the Soviet attacks and compelling them to move forces to meet this new threat. Germans break into the rear of the 21st Army and smash the junction of the 2 armies during the day.