#OTD 1943 #Kharkov | On the 26rh of February, Vatutin had managed to establish a defensive line to halt the German advance. However, TKs attack from the west and DR's assault from the south resulted in a large group of Soviet forces being trapped to the west of #Lozovaya in #Alekseyevko. 146/X
Germans and open flanks, the military actions were irregular but unexpected. The recently arrived 58th GRD managed to stop DR's advance southwest of #Lozovaya. 6.PzDiv encountered the retreating 41st GRD & 244th RD, causing a chaotic situation. Similarly, the 17.PzDiv 143/X
#OTD 1943 #Kharkov | On the 25th of February, Vatutin made a desperate attempt to slow down the German advance by establishing defensive lines. The two crucial points of defence were identified as #Lozovaya & #Barvenkovo, which were fortified by engineers. However, 25th TC 139/X
eaching its obj 20 km to the west of #Lozovaya & the southern column at #Vyazovok by the end of the day. Meanwhile, SS PzGrenDiv DR stationed at #Pavlograd awaited the arrival of TK & XLVIII Panzer Korps before moving forward towards the north. Remnants of Mobile 127/X
1st GTC deployed its 16th and 17th GTB to provide support for the infantry between #Lozovaya & #Pavlograd. Meanwhile, 267th RD & 106th RB tried to pass through the area between #Pereshchepino and #NovoMoskovsk and reunite with the main force of 6th Army. 116/X
north towards #Lozovaya in tandem with the other involved Panzer Korps. As a part of his reshuffling, Manstein relocated the headquarters of the 4th Panzer Armee to #Dnepropetrovsk, along with the subsidiary command of XLVIII Panzer Korps and 6. and 17.PzDiv. The forces 105/X
all the way from #Barvenkovo via #Lozovaya before joining 1st Panzer Armee. As 10th TC had just arrived and had not yet established a defensive position, and Poluboyarov’s 4th GTC had only 17 tanks, the German offensive made immediate progress. 93/X
#Lozovaya, securing a large amount of supplies. However, it would take the division four days to be ready to move forward. The Germans withdrew to prepared positions near the Severnyy Donets while 3rd Tank Army was launching a new offensive. The Soviets were successful where 56/X
the determined resistance of 7.PzDiv. At #Barvenkovo, 35th GRD resumed its advance following 333.InfDiv towards #Lozovaya. PzGrenDiv GD received orders to cross to the west side of the Severnyy Donets, and as a result, SS PzGrenDiv DR also began to withdraw, leaving their 51/X
4th GTC was ordered from #Kramatorsk to #Krasnoarmeyskoye, while the 4th GRC headed southwest to #Lozovaya and then planned to move on to #Krasnoarmeyskoye. This change in strategy, to take the path of least resistance, ended up playing a role in Manstein's successful 41/X
333.InfDiv was forced to retreat down the RR towards #Lozovaya after failing to meet up with the 7.PzDiv at #Slavyansk. Voronezh Front sector: 15th TC and 160th RD tried to cross the Severnyy Donets at #Pechenegi, but were repulsed by SS PzGrenDiv LAH with heavy casualties. 36/X
