In the spring of 1942, two Soviet armies launched a massive offensive toward Kharkov. The Germans, however, responded with a powerful counterattack that caught the advancing Soviet forces in a large-scale pincer movement, trapping them in a huge pocket.

After several days of fierce fighting, with their supplies critically low, the Soviets were finally forced to abandon their positions and attempt a desperate breakout.

Svantnovski, commanding the spearhead of the breakout, ran straight into a wall of German fire. Extremely accurate — or perhaps simply lucky — German gunnery systematically blasted one Soviet tank after another. The Soviet infantry fared no better; their advance collapsed into a disorganized mob of ragtag soldiers, led (or rather misled) by three wounded officers. Their fourth commander had already charged forward alone in a berserk frenzy and been cut down.

German anti-tank weapons performed exceptionally well during the engagement:

A single SPW 250, armed with the 37L gun, knocked out two T-60 M40 light tanks.

One leichte PaK 41 destroyed three Soviet AFVs.

The second leichte PaK 41 accounted for one more.

The two "doorknocker" 3.7 cm PaK 36 guns each claimed two AFVs (two of the kills achieved with Stielgrenades).

One Panzerjäger I (47L) knocked out three AFVs, two of them with critical hits.

Two Panzer III L tanks each destroyed two Soviet AFVs. The third Pz IIIL with the 10-2 Pz Ldr never got a chance to engage any Soviet AFV.

German losses were negligible. The defensive line held firm, and Stuka dive-bombers were already on their way to deliver the final blow.

Gött Scenario!