1122_01: The Bridge at Kalach - PzC 15 Stalingrad '42

Kalach, 75kms W of Stalingrad, Nov 22nd 1942: Kalach was the principal objective for three Soviet Tank Corps in Operation Uranus, this was the point that Stavka saw the pincers linking up. The Germans were unaware of the scope and speed of the Russian advance, and the defenses at Kalach were completely inadequate for the task. An assortment of sub-units, mainly supply and maintenance, had settled in the town for the winter. There were 4 Luftwaffe AA sites on the western heights, with about 25 men assigned to the immediate security of the bridge. There were 2 more AA guns on the east side of the bridge with a scratch battalion of rear troops in the town. The 19th Tank Brigade left Ostrov in the early hours of Nov 22nd to capture the temporary bridge intact. [Size, small]