October 1942

Eastern Front

The Germans complete the destruction of thw 2nd Shock Army encircled in the Gaitolovo pocket.

German pincers close at Orlovka, trapping a battalion of he 115th Rifle Brigade. Two other brigade battalions attempt a relief attack from the east but are pinned down by massive German artillery fire and air strikes. Under intense fire, the isolated battaion continues to hold for another week in teh Orlovka gully.

In the factories district, the Germans hammer at the Soviet defenses. Heavy attacks strike the 193rd Rifle Division before the Red October factor throughout the day, the 284th Rifle and 13th Guards are also being hard pressed as the Germans try to push on to the Volga. German efforts to reach the river through the Krutoy and Dolgi gullies fail as the 13th Guards wipe out the attackers. During the night the 295th Infantry Division sends an assault force of 300 men into the Krutoy Gully and onto the banks of the Volga. Once they reach the river, the group turns south, into the rear of the 13th Guards, and then wait for dawn when they will attack from both front and rear.

As his defenses crumble, Chui,ov orders the 39th Guards to fortify and hold the Red October workshops.

The fighting in Stalingrad cost both sides dear. Since September 13 Paulus has suffered 40,000 casualties, while the 62nd Army has lost 78,000 men. The Soviets, however, are constantly reinforced, maintaining a combat strength of around 55,000 men. Inside the city, the Soviets have 950 artillery pieces, 500 mortars and 80 tanks.

he Stavka disbands the 4th Tank Army, absorbing the remnants into the 65th Army. The XVII and XVIII Tank Corps are pulled out of the Voronezh sector and moved behind the Don Front to refit, together with the 3rd and 5th Tank Armies, which go into Stavka reserve. The IV Tank Corps, already with the Don Front, is also pulled out of the line to refit.