#0202_01s_Operation Star - Forward to Kharkov! - PzC 19 Kharkov 43

Operation Star - Feb 2nd to Feb 16th, 1943. Stalingrad surrendered today and German forces had been pushed back more than 1,000 kilometres in less than three months. Stavka has demanded that Axis forces be destroyed at every opportunity and one more effort would be required to take Kharkov, the great German supply and communication center in the Ukraine. Voronezh Front chose to assault from the march to take both Belgorod and Kharkov using 40th, 69th & 3rd Tank Army. To the north, 38th & 60th Army were tasked with capturing Kursk. This scenario ends on the historical date that the Soviets captured Kharkov. The German forces are few but fortunately elite including the SS Panzer Grenadier Divisions, Das Reich & Liebstandarte as well as the Wehrmacht's Gross Deutschland. The Soviet player will win if he can capture Kharkov, the German if he can deny his opponent. (Size, Campaign Game) This is a very fun and challenging HTH campaign. The German player will have to skilfully withdraw to preserve his forces while slowing the Soviet advance on Kharkov. Historically, the 298th Infantry Division was destroyed during this operation and the remnants formed into Sturm.Btl.298. Do not be surprised to lose 298th Infantry Division in game. For the Soviet player this is a timed rush to Kharkov. 3rd Tank Army will make initial progress but the arriving SS units will slow their advance. 69th Army will only slowly force Gross Deutschland back until 40th Army threatens to turn its flank. As Kharkov is approached, river crossings and the compressed German Divisions will see the battles become more intense and solid fronts form.