Eastern FrontSOUTHERN SECTORWest of Kharkov the 40th Army reaches a line Krasnopolye-Akhtyka as Corps Raus continues to fall back. Manstein's carefully prepared counterattack grows in ferocity as 2nd SS Panzer Corps slices through the flank of the 6th Army, which also comes under ferocious Luftwaffe attack at Pavlograd. South of Krasnograd, the SS Panzer Corps links up with elements of the XLVIII Panzer Corps attacking from Kovomosskovsk. This precipitates a Soviet withdrawal across the Samara but some units are isolated west of Novomosskovsk. The XL Panzer Corps attacks Group Popov. Popov's understrength tank corps attempst to hold off the German tide but to no avail. Under intense pressure, he requests permission to withdraw but is ordered by Vatutin to continues his attack. Group Hollidt is again heavily attacked along the Mius position. |
| [ February 19th - February 21st] |