Battle of Kharkov
The Battle of Kharkov refers to a series of military engagements during World War II that occurred in and around the city of Kharkov, which had strategic importance as a railway center in the Soviet Union. The first battle began in October 1941 when German forces captured the city. A subsequent Soviet counteroffensive was launched on May 12, 1942, led by Marshal Semyon Timoshenko, aiming to encircle and reclaim Kharkov. However, this attempt was thwarted, resulting in a significant defeat for the Soviet army, with heavy losses in both personnel and equipment by the end of May 1942.
In early 1943, the Soviets prepared for another counteroffensive, mustering considerable forces. On February 11, 1943, Soviet marshal Nikolai Vatutin initiated an offensive that temporarily encircled Kharkov. Nonetheless, German forces under Field Marshal Erich von Manstein launched a counterattack, ultimately retaking the city by mid-March 1943. The fall of Kharkov was a crucial turning point, as it halted Soviet advances and allowed the German military to refocus efforts on upcoming operations in the Kursk region. The battles surrounding Kharkov highlight the intense military struggles on the Eastern Front and the high human and material costs involved.
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Battle of Kharkov
Type of action: Series of ground battles in World War II
Date: 1942–1943
Location: Kharkov, Soviet Union (later Karkiv, Ukraine)
Combatants: Germans vs. Russians
Principal commanders:German, Field Marshal Erich von Manstein (1887–1973); Russian, Marshal Semyon Timoshenko (1895–1970), Marshal Nikolai Vatutin (1901–1943)
Result: The Germans stopped the Russian winter offensive and prepared the way for an attack on Kursk
In October, 1941, the Germans had seized the Soviet railway center of Kharkov. On May 12, 1942, the Russians, under Marshal Semyon Timoshenko, decided to cross the Donetz River in order to encircle and liberate Kharkov. However, the Germans encircled the Russian forces, and the offensive ended on May 30, with the rout of three Russian armies. Timoshenko had lost 1,200 tanks and more than 200,000 troops.
In early 1943, Russian commanders prepared for a counteroffensive. The Russian force levels in the region were 640,000 men, 1,200 tanks, 13,000 field guns and mortars, and 926 planes; the Germans had 636,000 men, 1,000 tanks, 16,000 field guns and mortars, and 1,220 planes. On February 11, Soviet marshal Nikolai Vatutin crossed the Donetz near Kharkov and encircled the city on February 16. On February 19, German forces under Field Marshal Erich von Manstein launched a counterattack. On March 9, the Germans reached the city, and their tanks rolled into the city. On March 15, the Germans closed off Kharkov, defeated the last pocket of Russian resistance, and occupied the city.
Significance
The fall of Kharkov stopped the Soviet winter offensive and freed the German general staff to prepare for major offensive operations in the Kursk theater.
Bibliography
Carruthers, Bob, and John Erickson. The Russian Front, 1941–1945. New York: Sterling, 1999.
Mellenthin, F. W. Panzer Battles: A Study in the Employment of Armor in the Second World War. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1955.
The War in Europe. The War Chronicles: World War II series. Documentary. A&E Home Video, 1983.
Winchester, Charles. Ostfront: Hitler’s War on Russia, 1941–1945. Oxford, England: Osprey, 1998.