August 1943

Eastern Front

The Germans relinquish control of Kharkov for the last time. However, the III Panzer Corps launches strong counterattacks around Bogodukhov, pinning down the 1st Tank and 6th Guards Armies. This prompts Koniev to move the 5th Guards Tank Army up to aid the struggling armies, which in turn brings movement of the Soviet forces around Kharkov to a standstill.

The battle in the Ukraine has cost the Voronezh Front 48,300 killed and missing and 108,000 wounded and the Steppe Front 23,000 killed and missing and 75,000 wounded. The Soviets also lose 1,864 tanks, 423 arty pieces and 153 aircraft.

The German 6th Army abandons its positions along the Mius River, closely pursued by the South Front. The advance of the 5th Shock Army has almost brought about the encirclement of the XXIX Corps in Taganrog. Only a timely withdrawal would have prevented it isolation, but Hitler orders the XXIX to stand fast. This policy of fighting for every yard of ground, which has already proved costly in the winter of 1942-43, is to be repeated time and again with disastrous results.

With Kharkov lost, Hitler makes a scapegoat of Gen Kempf, dismissing from command of his Army Detachment and appointing Gen Wohler in his place. At the same time the army detachment is renamed 8th Army.