1125_04: A River Runs Through It - PzC 09 Rzhev '42

Luchesa River Valley, November 25th 1942: While the main attacks were to be carried out by 41st Army at Belyi and 20th Army near Sychevka, 22nd Army was preparing to launch an important secondary attack up the Luchesa Valley. The Army's main objective was to cut the road link between Olenino and Belyi near Gordeevo. Using elements of two Rifle Divisions, the 185th and 238th, to breach the front line, the newly formed 3rd Mech Corps, commanded by Maj Gen M.E. Katukov, was to reach that objective by the third day. Intelligence detected elements of one regiment from the German 86th Infantry Division, and one regiment from the 110th Infantry Division, defending the front on either side of the river. Somewhere to the rear lurked elements of the Gross Deutschland Infantry Division (mot). The time is 08:00 and there is heavy snow falling. The Soviet Rifle Battalions are rising from their foxholes. [Size, small]