November 1942

Eastern Front

The VI Tank Corps is all but destroyed in heavy fighting near Osuga. The XXXIX Panzer Corps has successfully containe the 20th Army attack and is regaining the initiative with its 9th and 5th Panzer Divisions. Losses to both sides have been heavy.

The fighting at Belyi wears on, 41st Army's van being force back toward the town during a strong counterattack by elements of the 20th Panzer and 1st Panzer Divisions.

The 5th Tank Army launches strong attacks along the Chir, tying down Group Hollidt.

During November the Soviets continue to build up their forces. The Red Air Force activates three more air armies, the 7th going to the Karelia Front, the 13th to the Leningrad Front and the 18th to the Southwest Front. Soviet tank strength stands at 4,940 machines, while the air armies have 3,100 planes.

The Ostheer has 3,133 panzers, barely a third of which are operational, together with 2,450 aircraft, again many being out of action.
Of 22 Rumanian divisions in the line at the beginning of November, 9 have been destroyed, 9 more are scattered and can no longer be counted upon, and just 4 are in the line. Equally disheartening is the struggle through another Soviet winter. Many German divisions lack proper winter clothing and equipment and suffer the effects of frostbite and hypothermia. Men freeze to death as they struggle to survive in their dugouts. At Stalingrad, lacking even the most basic equipment and protection, the frozen ground presents more problems. Once a position is lost the German soldiers find they are exposed on the steppe, the groung being frozen so solid they are unable to dig new defensive positions.

During November the Germans withdraw one infantry divisions from the line but commit a single new one, their strength remaining at 20 panzer, 14 motorized and 139 infantry divisions.