December 1942

Eastern Front

Leading units of the XVII Tank Corps closes upon Millerovo while elements of the 1st Guards Army encircle Chertkovo, isolating 10,000 Axis troops. The Germans try to break out over the next few days while the 19th Panzer Divisin launches an unsuccessful relief attempt.

The XLVIII Panzer Corps is forced to pull back from the Chir in order to cover the rear of Group Hollidt, the Tatskinskaya airbase and the northern approaches to Rostov. As the Germans fall back the XXIV Tank Corps closes upon Tatskinskaya.

Hoth launches a final attack toward 6th Army. Bitter fighting rages as the 2nd Guards throw in its armor to halt the German thrust. Following this last effort Hoth had shot his bolt, his force being exhausted and at the mercy of the stonger Soviet forces opposing it.