A belated strike*
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Series: 2nd Battle of Kharkov
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_Soviet Union*
_____vs.*
__Germany*

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Date: 17th of May, 1942*
0530 Hours*
Location: South 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: Having managed to seize a crossing across the Berestovaiya River, the Soviets have launched a major armored offensive this morning. Information is spotty, but it appears they threw two whole tank corps into the line and struck the boundary between the 62. and 113. Infanterie-Division with more than 100 tanks. Units of both divisions fell back towards Ryabhukyne in some disarray. It is clear that the Russian thrust is aiming for Kharkov. You have to use all antitank assets under your control to hold the Russians back: In addition to the antitank guns of the infantry divisions, you control 3 Stug IIIs from 244. Stug-Abteilung, a battery of 8.8cm Flak and a battery of 10.5cm howitzers.
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You are facing elements of the 21st Tank corps, the 41st Rifle Division, supported by the remnants of the 48th Tank Brigade, as well as the 411th Rifle Division, supported by the 5th Guards tank brigade. The Russians have amassed significant numbers of tanks, including T34s, English and heavy models.
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Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.
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POSSIBLE SPOILERS
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Using their few antitank assets expertly, the Germans were able to hold on to Ryabhukyne. The Russians bypassed the town, advancing towards Borki. Timoshenko concluded that his offensive was on the verge of victory, overshadowing the defeat of the northern pincer of the offensive. However, almost at the same time as the Russian strike, the Germans launched their own, decisive counter offensive: Operation Fridericus.  