May 1942

Eastern Front

The 28th and 38th Armies again attempt to renew the offensive, but are struck by fierce German counter-fire. Fierce fighting rages close to Murom as the 168th Infantry Division pushes into the southern wing of the 21st Army. This threatening German advance compels the 28th Army to move forces as a precaution to cover its rear.

Forces of the XLIV Corps are close to Izyum and cut off the escape route of the V Cavalry Corps and the right wing of the 9th Army from the Donets. Isolated elements of the V manage to escape into the loop of the river, while the bulk of the 9th Army establishes defensive positions on the east bank south of Izyum.

The 57th Army sector remains relatively quiet as the Germans concentrate on enveloping the forces around it. Units of the XXIII Tank Corps deployed on the left wing of the army reinforce its positions, while the XXI Tank Corps moves up to the rear. As the Soviets attempt to build a defensive position, Kleist concentrates his 14th and 16th Panzer and 60th Motorized Divisions together with the 389th and 384th Infantry Divisions for a renewed strike into the Soviet rear from the area north of Barvenkovo.

The Soviet 6th Army attacks continue, forward forces fighting their way into the outskirts of Zmiyev. The withdrawal of the tank corps, however, effectively bring the attacks to a standstill.

With the threat of the Southwest Front encirclement apparent, Timoshenko reluctantly calls Stalin and requests permission to go on the defensive and draw his attacking units away to deal with the threat posed to the 9th Army. Kostenko, deputy commander of the Southwest Front, forms a new army detachment around Bobkin's forces to counter the German attack. Timoshenko has reacted to late to the German threat.

During the evening Hitler orders Bock to push Group Kleist north to Balakleya and isolate the entire Soviet grouping inside the now perilous Izyum pocket.