Flashing Sword of Retribution

[herr_oberst]

February 8 1800 hs.
A day of hard defensive fighting ends on the Belgorod, Volchansk and the south Fronts.
The Enemy is determined to capture the northern cities, keeping a great pressure on the defenders, but we managed to inflict heavy casualties on the advancing Russians.
The flanking attack of LSSAH had to be called off because there was too big a danger of being cut off, with only one bridge connecting them to the German lines. Nevertheless, I think it diverted some Soviet units relieving the pressure on the 27º Panzer and also caused some Russian artillery to embark their trucks and flight, which is good given their poor setup speed. Now LSSAH crossed the river, blew up the bridge, and is engrossing the Belgorod garrison.

The attack on Slaviansk ceased, but the southern penetration was getting dangerous, so an attack was conducted by 3º and 17º Panzer Divisions, advancing only a couple of miles but inflicting considerable losses on the Russians, who were apparently heading south.

The poor visibility conditions that lasted all day denied the use of the useful Luftwaffe and restrained the view of my patrolling units.

At dusk, the Soviets are pausing their attack, but the Germans are not giving up terrain anymore and the positions are very close, with very little no-man´s land, so when the first lights of 9 february arrive all the hell will break loose!