Third Battle of Kharkov
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The Third Battle of Kharkov was the last major German victory of World War II. Led by Field Marshal Erich von Manstein, the Germans retook the city of Kharkov from the Soviet armies in bitter street fighting. The SS Panzer Corps, equipped with heavy Tiger tanks, played a significant role.
Kharkov had originally been captured on October 25, 1941, but had been retaken by the Soviets in February 1943 following the German defeat at the Battle of Stalingrad. The Third Battle of Kharkov left the city only temporarily in Axis hands; on August 22, 1943, in the aftermath of the Battle of Kursk, the Germans were driven out once again.
Reference
- The Battle of Kharkov, by Jean Restayn, J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing. ISBN 0921991487
- Platz der Leibstandarte: The SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "LSSAH" and the Battle of Kharkov January - March 1943, by George Nipe & Remy Spezzano, RZM Imports. ISBN 0965758427
- Last Victory in Russia: The SS-Panzerkorps and Manstein's Kharkov Counteroffensive February - March 1943, by George M. Nipe, Jr., Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0764311867