Battle of Kharkov - WW2 Timeline (February - March 1942)
The Soviet's haphazard offensive netted them ground against the Germans, only to lose it all a short time later thanks to Manstein's methodical response.
As it stood, the Soviet city of Kharkov was the fourth largest city in the whole of the USSR. The taking of such a city would certainly be a feather in Hitler's cap and a blow against Stalin. Winter was in full swing and the hard turf of the Soviet countryside was ripe for battle. A massive Soviet offensive was launched to regain the ground lost to the Germans the year before. Across three major fronts, the Soviet Army moved in. On February 8th, 1942, the Russians move in and retake the city of Kharkov from its German occupiers through bloody and intimate hand-to-hand street fighting - there since November of 1941.
The Russian offensive proved an initial success as German invaders were being driven away from Soviet towns and bridgeheads. While some of the German retreat was of necessity, other retreats were strategic moves meant to buy the German Army some more time and allow the Red Army to use up its energy, resources and supplies. German Field Marshal Erich von Manstein convinced Adolph Hitler of his retreat plan and the Russians were falling right into the trap. After the loss of his men in Stalingrad, Hitler was open to retreat.
The Soviet advanced proved pricey for their forward elements were stretched thin and low in number - particularly in tanks but also in infantry. Time was of the essence for both sides, however, for the Russian spring was at hand, a time when solid frozen turf would soon turn into impassable muddy nightmares.
While the Soviet Army pushed on against the "retreating" Germans, Manstein unleashed his counterattack when all his pieces were in place. For days, the hapless Russian infantry and their few tanks were shellacked into oblivion with all sorts of random actions and uncoordinated retreats following. German artillery opened up on the Eastward-bound Russians and pounded them while infantry, air strikes and armor attacks did their part.
By March 14th, the 4th Panzer Army completes its surrounding of Kharkov until the city is officially recaptured on March 15th with full control coming on March 18th. Spring now approached and both sides dug in and around the city waiting for their next orders to come down the pipe. The retaking of territory and the capture of Kharkov proved the German's brilliance in the age of mechanized warfare - and also proved how much more the Russians had to learn about such actions.
There are a total of (19) Battle of Kharkov - WW2 Timeline (February - March 1942) events in the SecondWorldWarHistory.com database. Entries are listed below by date-of-occurrence ascending (first-to-last). Other leading and trailing events may also be included for perspective.
Day-by-Day Timeline of Events
Monday, February 2nd, 1942
Adolph Hitler approves of the order for retreat for German forces at Rostov.
Thursday, February 5th, 1942
Rostov is officially abandoned by General Manstein's forces.
Friday, February 6th, 1942
German General Manstein meets with Hitler and proposes a new German counter-attack against the Russians.
Sunday, February 8th, 1942
The Soviet Army officially retakes the Russian city of Kursk.
Thursday, February 12th, 1942
German Army Group Don is renamed Army Group South.
Thursday, February 12th, 1942
German Army Group B is renamed Army Group Center.
Saturday, February 14th, 1942
Russian General Vatutin and his South-West Front army reach the city of Kharkov.
Saturday, February 14th - February 18th, 1942
Street fighting begins between the German I SS Panzer Corps and the Russian 3rd Tank Army and 40th Army forces in Kharkov.
Tuesday, February 17th, 1942
Adolph Hitler meets with General Manstein to plan a German counter-offensive.
Wednesday, February 18th, 1942
German forces are officially driven from the Russian city of Kharkov.
Friday, February 20th, 1942
The Germans unleash their counterattack using the 4th Panzer Amry, 1st Panzer Army and the II SS Panzer Corps.
Saturday, February 28th, 1942
The Germans recapture lost ground and push elements of the Russian Army back. The German army reaches as far in as the River Donets while General Vatutin's forces are surrounded.
Saturday, March 7th, 1942
German General Hoth and his 4th Panzer Army form up and launch an offensive against the Voronezh Front near Kharkov.
Thursday, March 12th, 1942
Street fighting throughout Kharkov erupts once more as German forces enter Kharkov.
Thursday, August 5th, 1943
Soviet Army forces move towards Kharkov, liberating the city of Belgorod in the process.
Saturday, March 14th, 1942
The 4th Panzer Army surrounds the city of Kharkov.
Monday, August 23rd, 1943
Kharkov is retaken by the Soviet Army.
Wednesday, March 18th, 1942
The Germans complete the retaking of Kharkov.
Wednesday, March 18th - March 26th, 1942
The Soviets and Germans both dig in within and around the city of Kharkov, preparing to fight another day.
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