February 1943

Eastern Front

Elements of the 69th Army redeploy at Bogodukhov and begin to push toward Krasnokutsk. Heavy fighting erupts with elements of Corps Raus. After bitter fighting the Germans hald the 3rd Tank Army on the Mzha River, preventing the isolation of units aroun Lyubotin.

Tanks of the Soviet 6th Army reach the railway station at Sinelnikovo, only 30 miles from Manstein's headquarters at Zaporozhe. However, they can go nor farther as they run out of fuel and are destroyed by German counterattacks. Hitler, who is still at Zaporozhe, finishes his conference with Manstein and flied back to Germany. Later in the day the SS Panzer Corps launches a furous attack, smashing into the flank of 6th Army at Zmiyev and pushing to within 10 miles of Krasnograd, scattering other elements of the strung-out Soviet 6th Army. The 4th Panzer Army also begins its northward thrust toward Pavlograd and Lozovaya, sowing confusion and panic among forward elements of the 6th Army. Grishino is retaken after bloody fighting.