For The Comrades - Red Victory

5 MARCH 1943, NEAR TARANOVKA, 40KM SOUTH OF KHARKOV: By the first days of March 1943, Mobile Group Popov was isolated and destroyed south of Kharkov with a brilliant counterattack designed by von Manstein. After destroying the powerful enemy spearhead, General Manstein turned his eyes on Kharkov. He sent two pincer columns; the SS Panzer Korps attacked Kharkov from the northwest where the 48th Panzer Korps moved north to isolate the city from the east. Now its infantry armies were threatened by envelopment, Russian command desperately tried to slow down the German advance towards Kharkov. The 25th Guards Rifle Division was ordered to hold a long line from Taranovka to Merefa. Taranovka, a key position on the eastern flank of the defensive line, was defended by the 78th Guards Rifle Regiment which was supported by a handful of tanks from the 195th Tank Brigade. The high ground to the southeast of the town was particularly important for the defense of the city. On March 5th, the 6th Panzer Division, spearhead of the 48th Panzer Korps started its assault on this key position. Having no illusions for defending the position for a long period, Russian soldiers resisted fiercely to gain time for the retreating comrades.