The battles for Kharkov in February-March 1943 saw the three divisions of the Waffen-SS - Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, Das Reich and Totenkopf - fighting together for the first time. In the first phase of the offensive, the SS Das Reich and Totenkopf marched 100 kilometers south of Kharkov, blocking the Soviet army from capturing the bridges over the Dnieper River, while the Leibstandarte successfully defended the corps supply base in Krasnograd. After protecting the bridges over the Dnepr, the Das Reich and Totenkopf units headed north and regained control of the vital railway network south of Kharkov. The Soviet 3rd Tank Army was forced to abandon its attack against Krasnograd to regroup south of Kharkov and protect the city from Haussers divisions. At that point the Leibstandarte joined the other divisions of the corps SS to eliminate Soviet forces and recapture Kharkov. With its reconquest, Southern Ukraine returned firmly under German control. This is a fully illustrated account of the decisive victory attained by the SS Panzer Corps divisions at a time of serious crisis for the Axis forces.
Group
Books (first-hand)
Author
Afiero, Massimiliano
Title
The Waffen-SS at Kharkov
Details
English text, paperback, many bw-photos, colour profiles, maps. 128 pages.
