January 1942

Eastern Front

The 16th Army partially stabilizes its southern wing as Group Sherer anchors it at Kholm. Fighting around the town is heavy as the 3rd Shock launches fierce attacks in an effort to annihilate the German force.

The XLIX Corps digs in before Velikiye Luki to secure the junction of Army Groups North and Center. To the east the 39th Army launches attacks at Osuga and Sychevka, but the 9th Army is able to hold on to both towns. The 39th and 29th Armies, however, are themselves brought under attack as the XXIII Corps, isolated at Olenino, force its way out of encirclement and advance toward the VI Corps west of Rzhev. Attacks by the XLVI Panzer Corps re-establishes some stability in other 9th Army sectors.

The Soviet 6th and 57th Armies punch a 20-mile deep salient and penetrate to Balakleya and Slavyansk. An infantry division holds each town against strong attacks by the 6th Army. Stalled, the Soviets introduce the I and VI Cavalry Corps into the battle along the Krasny Liman-Slavyansk axis. The V Cavalry Corps operates with the 57th Army in an effort to take Barvenkovo.

The 3rd and 4th Shock Armies transfer to the Kalinin Front command as the Stavka redeploys its armies.