During these turns the Soviets Realign defenses and deepen defenses around Moscow.

In Kaluga, the surrounded forces elect to attack out versus roll for breakout. taking a DL1 on a 3:1 attack.

 

Kharkov was incorrectly out of Trace, this was rectified.  But 16th Panzer presses forward seeking to choke of the massive city.

To the South the 16th press on!

North in the woods near Staritsa fierce fighting ensues for the control of the rail line to support Rzhev. The Soviets throw 41 factors at 7.5 Germans earning a DL101. the Germans elect to stand  and keep control of the rail line. 53rd Dovator dies in this fight.

Across the board in mud the Germans scoot forward during their turn, focussing upon  pressing SP slowly forward.

 

In the 19th the Soviets bring much needed reinforcements in and also replacements.

I rolled for ‘deep Freeze effects under a Moderate freeze conditions. So the Germans were deprived of their forces a turn or two too early. I think…. Regardless they were all stuck in the mud, so it is good to get this item off the table.

Massive unit losses for frost bite and engine seizing across the board!

The Germans take almost exactly 30% losses.

The 22nd sees deep freeze conditions and German initiative. which they elect to keep and press their luck in harsh conditions. Most of the action centers around the  Tula Kaluga area in the North, where forces pivot to find a soft spot. Air raids yield little, but a single UR brigade is found all along under a HH Lvl 1 just NW of Tula.

The Germans pounce.

DL102, and a follow on attack by the elements of 20th Pzr who take out the 16th ARMY HQ in an overrun. DL2. 10 Pzr bounces thru near Kaluga to clear out dregs of Soviet defenders. this busts open the highway allowing the extender to be easily reached and for HQ’s to leap forward. 57th XXX advances, and orders 3rd Mot., 2nd Pzr and others out of Reserve and they accelerate down the road cutting off all rail to Moscow.

In the South, forces stream from Kursk ahead of the rail conversion pressing deeper into the Soviet hinterland. South of Kharkov forces from the Italian army – the Paibo Div. take Bazvhevkovo.

This clears trace supply routes for 10th, 8th SS Bdes. They will be able to link with 14thPzr and surround forces near Izyum.

SS:W finally move after weeks of sitting in cloying mud. they press deep in the Exploit phase striking Slavyansk. They do not take the town but force worker units out. the 5th Bn is broken by desperate fighting.

2nd Rum and a JG div go hand to hand in Kharkov, seeking supplies and to wrap up the battle. spending 7t they destroy a Soviet division and capture  3SP. An amazing attack at 1:1 with +3 surprise and a natural 11 on the roll! The Reserve Soviet Arty failed to break up the attack!

 

 

North:

 

South: