Following the debacle of Stalingrad, in early 1943 a resurgent Red Army was striking westwards into the Ukraine, the German and their Allied units were either crushed or reeled back, struggling to maintain coherence. Buoyed by their success the operation was expanded with the intent to destroy the whole German southern flank and to liberate the industrial regions of the Ukraine. Such was the scale of the impending disaster that Hitler made one of his rare visits to the Eastern Front; here Erich von Manstein was able to secure agreement to be able to judge when and where to manoeuvre, rather than just hold ground. Von Manstein would permit the Russians to over-extend themselves before launching a violent counter-stroke. The fighting for Kharkov is a relatively small but tactically significant action within this fighting. It will feature the newly created SS-PanzerKorps, led by the capable Paul Hausser who displays disobedience to his superiors, even Hitler, but creates a fleeting victory that Nazi Propaganda can cheer about.

Des FitzGerald is a former Army Officer with an unhealthy interest in military history, doctrine and battlefields. He is badged member of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides (Badge No 88) and has planned and led tours to N.W. Europe, Italy, Ireland, and the Crimea. He is interested in all military history, but particularly the Second World War. He also studies the doctrine of the belligerents and as well as the organisational cultural and motivational aspects. He is a self-employed contractor and conducts wargames, concept development and historical analysis for the UK MoD.

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