#0220_02_Death of Mobile Group Popov - An armoured clash - PzC 19 Kharkov 43

The Death of Popov's Mobile Group - Feb 20th to Feb 24th, 1943. South Western Front and Stavka had no appreciation for the situation that Popov found his mechanized group. Surely four Tank Corps with supporting arms could drive through the yawning gap in the German lines and on to the Sea of Azov? The German's after all were in full retreat to Dnepr River? The situation for Popov could not be more different. Somehow 1st Panzer Army had circumvented the Soviet trap closing on Rostov and its XL Panzer Korp composed of three Panzer Divisions was either attacking Krasnoarmeyskoye or grouping menacingly to the east of Popov's supply lines. To make matters worse, Soviet supplies were being systematically shot up by the Luftwaffe and little was getting through - were was the Red Air Force?? (Size, Medium) A swirling mechanised battle that is best suited for either HTH or German Player vs. Soviet AI. For the Soviet player the forces at Krasnoarmeyskoye are probably lost. The longer they can hold and delay the Germans the better. Keeping the main road open from Aleksandovka will be the priority but difficult in the face of the German strength. For the German, it is about haste. They have to essentially destroy a sizable portion of Popov's forces and capture the objectives on the main road, all under a time constraint.