February 1944

Eastern Front

Group Stemmerman begins to link up with the III Panzer Corps. Hundreds have been killed on the march though, freezing to death as they try to cross the icy Gniloy Tikich or falling under Russian fire. Among the casualties is Stemmerman, who is killed as his force reaches safety. Realizing that the Germans were escaping, the 2nd Ukrainian Front launches an all-out attack upon the pocket, striking the 57th and 88th Infantry Divisions hard.