January 1942

Eastern Front

Bitter fighting rages along the Volkhov as the 2nd Shock Army tries to widen the breach in the 18th Army line. The 52nd and 59th Armies also attack on the flanks. German fire pins down the Soviet units, preventing furthern penetration.

The I and II Guards Rifle Corps of the 34th Army and elements of the 3rd Shock launch heavy attacks at Staraya Russa but fail to push forward to Soltsy. To the south, Group Scherer is heavily attacked at Kholm by other units of the 3rd Shock.

Soviet forces close in upon Velikiye Luki, but the LIX Corps has established blocking positions, albeit with less than adequate forces. Heavy fighting rages on the approaches to the city as the Germans struggle to prevent the disintegration of Army Group Center's northern wing. The 3rd Panzer Army continues to withdraw from the Rzhev sector as the 9th Army takes responsibility for the tip of the salient. The 3rd Panzer redeploys onto the left flank to prop up the front between the 16th and 9th Armies. Farther south the XLVII Panzer Corps attacks the 10th Army near Sukhinichi but is unable to advance.