July 1942

Eastern Front

Expecting a German thrust in strength to the Volga, the Stavka creates a new Stalingrad Front, allocating the 62nd, 63rd and 64th Armies. In all the Stalingrad Front comprises 34 rifle divisions, 3 cavalry divisions, 3 tank and 8 rifle brigades, 14 independent tank brigades and 540,000 men. The 63rd Army is to hold the east bank of the Don, while the 21st Army regroups on the north bank between the 63rd and 62nd Armies.

The Southwest Front retains command of the 38th, 28th, 57th and 21st Armies. The 38th and 28th Armies will soon be taken out of the line to re-form as the 1st and 4th Tank Armies. Timoshenko is given command of the Stalingrad Front. In the fighting since June 28 the old Southwest Front has lost 161,400 killed and missing and 71,000 wounded.