February 1944

Eastern Front

Leading tanks of the III Panzer Corps reach Oktyabr and in heavy fighting take the village. Inside the pocket, the 57th and 88th Infantry Divisions take up their positions to the rear of Group Stemmerman. These 2 divisions cover the escape of the rest of the group. At 2300 hours Stemmerman begins his attack. Bitter fighting erupts as the Germans smash through the Soviet ring, sheer desperation winning through in the end. Large number so men, fighting in independent groups, push west through the slush and mud toward the III Panzer Corps. However, Russian resistance pushes the escaping forces away from the III Panzer.