1125_02: A Hole in the Line at Sychevka - PzC 09 Rzhev '42

Sychevka, east side of the Rzhev Salient, November 25th 1942: The 20th Army was tasked with punching a hole through the German tactical defenses between the Vazuza and Osuga rivers. The Army's plan was to use four Rifle Divisions on its right flank to penetrate the line on the first day. Subsequently, the Rifle Divisions were to widen the gap to 15 -18kms to enable a cavalry-mechanized group to exploit through the gap. The early morning weather was heavy snow and fog, causing the senior Soviet commanders to curse as the artillery was firing its preparation for the assault blind. After one and a half hours, at 0920, the artillery prep was finished, and the order was given to advance. The masses of brown and white clad infantry rose up, many with penal battalions in front, and moved towards the west, across the ice-covered river. Initially, the defensive fire was sporadic, then, gradually, the rain of fire from the German artillery, machine guns and small arms intensified, ripping gaping holes in the ranks of advancing infantry. It was the beginning of a long, bloody day. [Size, small]