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As the year 1943 progressed, a series of attacks centred around Stalingrad in southern Russia, resulted in some of the most intense fighting on the Eastern Front during WWII.

The once-invincible German Wehrmacht was in disarray, having been forced back across a 175-mile stretch of Russian front by the Red Army.

Near their headquarters on the Don River, a two-pronged Russian army threatened to surround and annihilate a German battlegroup, much larger than the one lost at Stalingrad.

The commander of Army Group South, Field Marshal Erich von Manstein, found himself facing this mess.

Despite Hitler's direct orders to hold the city, Kharkov was abandoned by German forces, and the city was recaptured by the Red Army on 16

Von Manstein knew, he had to have the flexibility to maneuver and yield ground when necessary.

He intended to isolate and destroy the Soviet spearheads before launching a campaign to retake Kharkov. Once this was accomplished, Army Group South would work with Army Group Center to the north, in retaking Kursk.

Here's how the events unfolded...

Music Credits: All This Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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