


Fourth Battle of Kharkov
Contributor: C. Peter Chen
ww2dbaseIn early Aug 1943, the Soviet forces launched the Belgorod-Kharkov Offensive Operation aimed at wiping out the German troops fleeing from the recently captured city of Belgorod, Russia. On 12 Aug, the fighting reached the northern outskirts of Kharkov, Ukraine. Numerically at a disadvantage, the German field commanders wanted to withdraw to better positions, but Adolf Hitler interfered, decreeing that the city was to be held at all costs. On 20 Aug, the Soviets launched a large scale tank offensive, and German tanks responded in force, resulting in a major tank battle that saw a Soviet defeat with the loss of 184 T-34 tanks. Despite the victory, both local commander General Otto Wöhler and his superior Erich von Manstein knew that the situation was hopeless, and Manstein authorized Wöhler's request to withdraw on 21 Aug despite of Hitler's previous orders. The evacuation began after sundown on 22 Aug, and by 0200 hours on 23 Aug Soviet troops had reached the city center. At 1100 hours, Soviet troops declared Kharkov captured.
ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia
Last Major Update: Apr 2012
Fourth Battle of Kharkov Timeline
12 Aug 1943 | Adolf Hitler ordered the southern portion of the defensive Panther Line to be set up along the Dneiper River in Ukraine, and that the city of Kharkov in Ukraine was to be held at all costs. |
14 Aug 1943 | Erich von Manstein placed General Otto Wöhler in charge of the defense of Kharkov, Ukraine. |
16 Aug 1943 | The Soviets launched an attack toward Stalino (now Donetsk), Ukraine. |
20 Aug 1943 | Soviet and German tanks engaged in combat in the fields near Kharkov, Ukraine; the Soviets were defeated after losing 184 T-34 tanks. |
21 Aug 1943 | Erich von Manstein authorized the retreat from Kharkov, Ukraine. |
22 Aug 1943 | German troops in Kharkov, Ukraine began evacuating after sundown. |
23 Aug 1943 | The Soviet Steppe Front captured Kharkov, Ukraine, ending the Fourth Battle of Kharkov; a German counterattack was attempted but repulsed by the Soviet 5th Guards Tank Army. |
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