Flashing Sword of Retribution

[herr_oberst]

February 3 1943 12:00.



With the new day the Soviets redouble their advance.

In the extreme north, the small contingent of Grossdeutschland stragglers continue their retreat, so far avoiding direct contact with the russian spearhead.

A new soviet advance is detected towards Volchansk, marking Das Reich Panzer Division´s debut in this battle.

The Grossdeutschland Panzer detachment who covered "Der Fuhrer" regiment´s retreat is now fighting against massive soviet armor in the brink of isolation west of Kozinka. Only maneuver and aggression can now open their path to the west to join their Division.

In the highway to Kahkov, Kampfgruppe LSSAH is still covering the retreat of the 320º ID (just as in the actual battle, which is a proof of good scenario design).
Two companies of 19ª Panzer Division got surrounded and are being decimated just 12 or 15 miles from the front. It weights on my soul to leave the brave men the 19º Panzer behind, but for the time the mobile SS elements are busy elsewhere, and I think the battered Panzergrenadiers are not bound to survive to see german tanks again.

In the south, the city of Izium is under attack from soviet guards formations, defended by the remains of 19º Panzer and a hastily formed alarm unit from the mobile elements of the neighboring Infantry Divisions.

The extreme south is for the time quiet, only the apparition of soviet recon troops at Malaya Yeremovka alarmed the defenders of Slaviansk and Barvenkovo, and the area is being patrolled.

The day promises to be eventfull, with the prospect of having to abandon Izium to the Soviets and the impending clash of armor wherever the russian advance and the SS PanzerKorps meet in the steppe.