February 1943

Eastern Front

German forces begin to withdraw their 11 infantry divisions of the II and X Corps from the Demyansk pocket. Hitler had sanctioned the withdrawal earlier in the year but added the clause that it must not be completed until the end of March. During this time 16th Army makes extensive preparations to deny the Soviets the use of the capture territory. Mines and booby traps are planted in abundance, making the Soviet advance difficult and costly. As the first units pull back 11th, 34th and 53rd Armies of the Northwest Front and 1st Shock Army of the Kalinin Front attack but are unable to break the German line. The Northwest Front begins the Demyansk Offensive Operation with 327,600 men.

The battle for Kharkov reaches its peak. With Soviet attacks threatening his rear, Hausser again requests permission to evacuate. Having no immediate reply he begins to pull his force back at 1300 hours, only to receive a 'hold at all costs; order at 1630. Disobeying Hitler's and Gen Lanz's direct orders, Hausser continues to withdraw the SS Panzer Corps. With the SS in retreat Lanz has no option but to order the rest of his Army Detachment to evacuate, thus saving his men from certain destruction at the hands of the Soviets.

The XL Panzer Corps is instructed to abandon Slavyansk and redeploys to Krasnoarmieskoye.