THE END OF THE GALLOP: The Battle for Kharkov -- February-March 1943

1-216870

Based heavily on Soviet records, this book presents a lively account of a pivotal battle on the Eastern Front, heavily illustrated with rare photographs. Includes 16 pages of b/w photos, three maps, and five tables.

Red Army units were exhausted and had incurred heavy losses in the German counterattacks during February-March. During the course of the battle for Kharkov Soviet forces encountered a new, powerful enemy in the shape of the Panzer divisions of the SS. These were elite mechanized formations equipped with the latest technology, which were soon to become leading participants in decisive battles.

The battles outside Kharkov between February-March 1943 were dramatic maneuvering battles and the success of both sides hung in the balance on a daily basis. Operations such as these are always much more interesting than the tedious, meat grinding positioning for a 'house in the forest,' that is abundant in the histories of both world wars. Maneuvering, the deployment of corps and divisions around an area to attack an enemy where they are most vulnerable, played a much more important role than the arithmetic of the numbers of tanks and guns. The steady equalization of both Soviet and German sides added spice to this menu of a classic maneuvering battle.