February 1942

Eastern Front

Heavy fightin rages along the road to Staraya Russa as the Soviets attempt to puch the remnants of the X Corps away from the Demyansk group. There is also bitter battles around the pocket as the Soviets attack the encircled force. Gen Brockdorff-Ahlenfeldt co-ordinates the defense of the pocket but is at the mercy of the Luftwaffe. Göring and the OKL (Oberkommando der Luftwaffe) assure Hitler that the Demyansk pocket will be supplied by air transport and that the evacuation of the II and X Corps to the west will be averted. Hitler orders the immediate implementation of supply missions. The 1st Air Fleet musters 230 aircraft but barely one third are operational. Hitler expects a force of only 70 planes at best to keep a force of almost 100,000 men supplied with food, ammunition and fuel in the middle of the Soviet winter and under heavy attack.

As fighting in the Rzhev sector continues, the 9th Army wrenching back the initiative from the Kalinin Front, the 4th Shock Army launches a bloody assault upon Velizh. After furious fighting the Soviets penetrate into the town, but Group Sinzinger counterattacks and throws them back. The 3rd Panzer Army begins its relief attack toward Velizh but progress is slow.