World War II Database

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.

Photographs

Fourth Battle of Kharkov Timeline