Jab and Parry*
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Series: 2nd Battle of Kharkov
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_Soviet Union*
_____vs.*
__Germany*

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Date: 20th of May, 1942*
0700 Hours*
Location: South-East of Kharkov*
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Designed By: Ts4EVER*
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Background 2nd Battle of Kharkov: Following the successful winter offensives in 1941, Stalin was keen to keep the pressure on the enemy, hoping to preempt another assault on Moscow with his own offensive. He was especially in favor of going on the offensive in the Kharkov sector, the city having fallen to the enemy in the summer of 1941. The attack was to be undertaken by the South-West-Front in a pincer movement, from the Barvenkovo salient and the Stariy Saltov bridgehead. Once massed artillery had broken through the German line, mobile group would be fed into the breaches to encircle AOK6 and reconquer Kharkov. However, due to supply issues, especially with artillery ammunition, as well as the undetected presence of German mobile reserves, the plan soon proved ill-advised...
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Briefing: Operation "Fridericus" has torn the Russian front wide open. So far all Russian reactions to the offensive have been haphazard and half-hearted, allowing the Germans to reduce the Russian corridor out of the pocket to one bridge across the Donets river. Yesterday the Soviets launched a major counter attack in a southern direction, trying to envelop III AK. You are in command of an armored Kampfgruppe from the 16. Panzer Division. Last night you were quickly redeployed from the center of the offensive to the left flank in order to deal with the Russian assault. Your orders are to strike the attacking Russian forces, seize key terrain and if possible cause a collapse of the 57th Army by advancing towards Lozovaya.
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Elements of the 2nd Cavalry Corps are advancing from the north to the south. Attack them from the east, scatter the cavalry and take possession of the indicated objectives. You need to finish this offensive by the end of the day, so time is of the essence. Tomorrow you are to be redeployed to the center again to close the Barvenkovo pocket for good.
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Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.
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POSSIBLE SPOILERS
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German forces advanced 30km and inflicted heavy damage on the Russian forces in the process. However, they failed to cause a collapse of the 57th Army and were withdrawn by the evening. 16. Panzer Division was transferred back to the center of the offensive to close the Barvenkovo pocket, an impressive display of tactical and operational skill. While this was happening, 14. Panzer Division skirted past the strong blocking positions of 23rd Tank Corps at Marevka and advanced to the north, further narrowing the neck of the salient. With StG77 interdicting Russian movements across the Donets, the supply situation of the Red Army began to worsen significantly.