[Ts4EVER]

In case anyone is actually playing these... Back with the third installment. 8 more scenarios covering the last Russian offensive gasps and the beginning of Operation Fridericus, the German counter offensive that ended up cutting off the whole southern attack group, destroying them in a pocket.
There is lots of tank on tank fighting in these. The next and last installment will be a bit smaller due to the battle drawing to a close.

Relieving Ternovaya

Date: 17th of May, 1942
0830 Hours
Location: North-East of Kharkov

Briefing: Kampfgruppe Schmidt-Ott and the rest of the 3. Panzer-Division spent the last days after the capture of Nepokrytaya re-organizing and preparing for their next move. You are once again in command of the German armored spearhead. Your task: Advance through the Murom river valley towards Ternovaya, destroying any soviet unit in your way. The German garrison of Ternovaya, Kampfgruppe Gruener, had been encircled by the enemy early in the offensive and has been holding their positions against superior Russian forces for days. Our plan is to break through and reestablishing a connection with the cut-off troops. In addition to your Panzer troops, you are supported by the Stukas of StG77. You also have access to a battery of 8.8cm guns of the Luftwaffe. These will be brought up if heavy Russian tanks are encountered.

This morning we managed to crush the enemy 169th and 244th Rifle divisions and their demoralised soldiers are streaming back east. The Russians still have the 6th Guards Tank Brigade and the 162nd Rifle Division in reserve and it is quite possible that they will commit these for an armored counter attack.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Seeing that a German breakthrough to Ternovaya was imminent, Ryabyshev threw his last reserves into the battle. The counter attack by the Guards Tank Brigade and 162nd Rifle Division lead to a swirling tank battle with over 100 tanks on both sides. The Germans were in serious trouble and lost 13 Panzers, until a battery of 8.8cm Flak guns turned the tide. In the afternoon, Kampfgruppe Schmidt-Ott linked up with the battered defenders of Ternovaya, ending the siege. With this battle, the power of the northern attack group was spent. Only capable of local attacks, the Russians continued their offensive in the north without any real hope for success. Instead, the focus of the battle shifted to the south, where both Germans and Soviets were launching large mechanized offensives.

A belated strike

Date: 17th of May, 1942
0530 Hours
Location: South of Kharkov

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.

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.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

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.

Fridericus begins

Date: 17th of May, 1942
0500 Hours
Location: South-East of Kharkov

Briefing: Operation "Fridericus" had been planned for a while. Its goal was to cut off the Barvenkovo salient in preparation for "Fall Blau", the German summer offensive towards the Caucasus and Stalingrad. The Soviet Kharkov offensive had preempted the German strike, but with the Russian forces overextended in the southern area of operations, the time is finally ripe for "Fridericus". Against four overstretched Russian Rifle Divisions, the Germans have amassed the following forces: III AK around Stepanovka, consisting of: 14. Panzer, 60. (mot.) Infanterie, 1. Gebirgs and 100. leichte Infanterie division, supported by Stug Abteilung 245. Further to the east they field XXXXIV AK: 16. Panzer, 97. leichte Infanterie and 68., 384. and 389. Infanterie divisions. The offensive will be launched at 0500 after a short but heavy and well-planned artillery strike. You are in command of two battalions of the 100. leichte Infanterie-Division. Your task is to break through the enemy lines and seize three strongpoints. This will allow the Germans to exploit northwards, hopefully cutting of the Barvenkovo salient at its base und bagging all the Russian attacking units south of Kharkov. Attached to your infantry are StugIIIs and truck-mounted flak for direct fire support.

The line is weakly held by the 106th Rifle division in a strongpoint type defense. They had time to dig in, but are without tank support.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

The carefully staged German combined arms offensive utterly destroyed the frontline Rifle Divisions, tearing the Soviet front open. Before the day was over, confusion reigned in the Red Army.

Return of Blitzkrieg

Date: 18th of May, 1942
0800 Hours
Location: South-East of Kharkov

Briefing: The launch of Fridericus yesterday was a resounding success, with the Russian divisions around Barvenkovo all but destroyed. Now the German's goal is to cut off the whole salient in a huge Kessel, much like they did in the days of 1941. In a show of desperation, the Russians counter-attacked the Panzers with the 5th Cavalry Corps and part of the 15th Tank Corps yesterday afternoon. As commander of the 16. Panzer Division spearhead, your task this morning is as follows: Brush away the scattered remnants of the Russian cavalry and advance towards Kamenka, the headquarters of the 9th Army. You advance guard is lead by armored cars and motorcycles, with our Panzers and Infantry following behind them. Should you encounter heavy Russian armor, you have been provided with four 10cm K18 heavy guns. These are equipped with Panzergranate Rot rounds, which can defeat any Soviet tank model easily. However, it might be hard to maneuvre them into good positions in the heat of battle.

The enemy is all but defeated, but there are still tanks and cavalrymen in the area around Kamenka.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Brushing aside the weak enemy counter attacks, the Germans managed to seize Kamenka and the southern part of Izyum by 1000. Shocked by the German offensive, the Russians had recalled the 21st and 23rd Tank Corps from the fighting around Borki, but transferring these units to the new theatre of operations took most of the day, giving the Germans free reign.

Last try for Krasnograd

Date: 18th of May, 1942
1730 Hours
Location: South of Kharkov

Briefing: The Germans have begun a counter offensive in the Soviet rear and reports state that they have captured Barvenkovo and parts of Izyum. The 21st and 23rd tank corps have been pulled back from Borki and sent to the breakthrough sector. Despite these worrying news you are to continue your offensive to capture Krasnograd. The Soviet cavalry forces are increasingly depleted, however, exploiting their speed they managed to position themselves for a last assault on the city, this time from the west. You are in command of a cavalry company from the 28th Division, including attached mortars and heavy machine guns. You are to develop the offensive in a north-eastern direction with the ultimate goal of seizing a foothold in the city. The first objective is a collective farm on the outskirts, held by insignificant German forces. These are your last fresh troops, so success is without alternative.

The enemy in this sector consists of improvised barrier troops.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Russians.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

The 28th Cavalry Division succeeded in seizing the collective farm.

Into the breach once more

Date: 19th of May, 1942
1600 Hours
Location: South of Kharkov

Briefing: Yesterday a Russian assault managed to seize the large collective farm at the south-eastern corner of Krasnograd. This position could be used as a springboard for further advances into the city, so it needs to be neutralized. You managed to scratch together a counter attacking force from Landesschützen Battalion 637, supported by divisional signal troops and some pioneers. You have some heavy weapon support from PAK and the 15cm battery still located in the city. You have to quickly destroy the Russian forces in the farm area before they manage to reinforce their position. The Luftwaffe is supporting Operation Fridericus and not available.

The Russians hold the farm in company strength, but we believe that more cavalry is already on its way to reinforce the defenders. They have mortars and heavy machine guns.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

The German counter attack retook the farm with some difficulty. Since the 21st and 23rd tank corps had been withdrawn to deal with Fridericus and the situation to the east was starting to look dire, the Russians called off the offensive to take Krasnograd and retreated their remaining units to a new defensive line on the 23rd.

Jab and Parry

Date: 20th of May, 1942
0700 Hours
Location: South-East of Kharkov

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.

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.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

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.

Tanks clash at Marevka

Date: 21st of May, 1942
1030 Hours
Location: South-East of Kharkov

Briefing: After beating back the Russian counter offensive, 16. Panzer Division is back in the center of the offensive. Today the Germans advance on a three division front: 16. and 14. Panzer, as well as the 60. (mot.) Infanterie-Division. You are in command of the 16. Panzer tank spearhead again. Your offensive is aiming for the Russian blocking force at Marevka. You are to destroy as many Soviet forces as possible and seize the village. Expect a lot of Soviet armor, but little infantry. To provide you with additional infantry support, 2 companies from the 60. have been attached to your force. They are also supported by some new tank destroyers of the "Marder" pattern. These are equipped with a captured Soviet gun and can knock out most enemy tanks. In addition to that, you can still rely on your 10cm guns with the special ammunition. The Luftwaffe however is grounded due to intermittent rainstorms. Luckily those are not heavy enough to cause considerable mud.

The area is defended by the 23rd Tank Corps, which was rushed here from the fighting near Borki, giving them no time to prepare a defense in depth. They are depleted and lack infantry support, but still field many tanks, including T34s in considerable numbers.

Historical Scenario, designed to be played as the Germans.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

The fight for Marevka proved hard and taxing, with 21 Panzers being left destroyed on the field. The 23rd Tank Corps however was mauled and the position taken. At the same time, the 14. Panzer Division rushed north and captured Protopopovka. Due to this success, the neck of the Barvenkovo salient was narrowed to only 18km, making a single evelopment of the whole Soviet attacking force a distinct possibility.