January 1942

Eastern Front

Soviet forces encircle Velizh. Fierce artillery fire and air strikes pound Group Sinzinger, which is cut off inside the town. Sinzinger has 3,000 men to the 30,000 Soviets.

Soviet airdrops around Vyazma are abandoned because of the casualties suffered at Kaluga during the Luftwaffe attacks, in addition to heavy casualties in the drop zone. Zukhinichi is given up as the 2nd Panzer Army pulls back to stronger positions. The 10th and 16th Armies move in as the Germans retreat.

Following bitter fighting over the previous few days, the III Panzer Corps begins to move up to the Kramatorsk and Krasnoarmiesk sectors, positioning itself across the line of the Soviet advance, in an effort to prevent any further gains on the road to the Dniepr.