June 1942

Eastern Front

The Volkhov Front resumes its relief attacks in an effort to free the 2nd Shock Army. After a day of fighting, the 52nd Army punches a narrow corridor through to the 2nd Shock but is then fiercely attacked by the Luftwaffe and is forced to withdraw. Again the 2nd Shock has come painfully close to escape, only to be beaten back.

The West Front attacks the 2nd Panzer Army, but only manages a slow advance in the face of well coordinated German defense.

The German 6th Army launches Operation WILHELM, a limited operation aimed at destroying the 28th Army around Volchansk before the offensive toward the Don. Initial attacks make good progress and succeeds in penetrating the Soviet line.

Bitter fighting continues in the Crimea as the 11th Army pounds the Soviet defenses by day and night. Both the LIV and XXX Corps are increasingly exhausted in the close-quarters fighting and need to achieve a breakthrough soon before their strength is spent.

In the month since Halder's last casualty return German losses on the Eastern Front rose by 85,000 to 1,268,000 killed, missing or wounded.

In the Balkans the US air force launches a long-range upon the Ploesti oil refineries in Rumania. In later years these raids will cause the Germans real difficulties as their fuel resources become scarce. At present though it is yet another propaganda blow against the Reich as the Allies prove their ability to strike German territory even as far east as the Balkans.