February 1943

Eastern Front

The Soviets begin to run trains through to Leningrad along a newly constructed line on the south shore of Lake Lagoa. The trains come under heavy German fire but supplies do reach the city.

The 40th Army closes upon Belgorod, leading units being just 15 miles north of the city while others push toward Tomarovka. To speed the assault a tank corps is sent up to reinforce the 40th Army's attack. The 3rd Tank Army continues to attack along the Donets, units unsuccessfully trying to cross the river while others advance south of Chuguyev and secure Andreyevka. At its junction with 69th Army, the 3rd Tank is hit by an SS Panzer Corps counterattack. Lisichansk falls to the 1st Guards Army as the XL Panzer Corps pulls back across the Donets. Other elements of the army cross at Izyum and push on to Barvenkovo. Heavy fighting continues at Slavyansk as the XL Panzer Corps repels renewed Soviet attacks. South Front closes in around Rostov, Bataisk falling.

Hitler, visiting Manstein at his headquarters in Zaporozhe, agrees to the proposed withdrawal of the German right wing to the Mius River, giving up Rostov. However, Manstein's request that the Kuban be evacuated to that 17th Army can be used on the main battlefornt is firmly denied. Hitler does agree though to the evacuation of the Rzhev salient, an operation that will release a considerable number of divisions. It is also decided that the defunct Army Group B be disbanded, 2nd Army being handed over to Army Group Center while Army Group Don takes over the entire souther wing of the German line, being redesignated Army Group South. These changes will become effective from February 13.