Backfire ETO (id:#60280)

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Orlovo Ivanovka 1941-12-30 (3 others)

Overview:

On 28 and 29 December, the Axis counteroffensive, reinforced by a Fallschirmjager regiment, gained momentum. Not only did they take back all the lost ground, in many sectors the Italians left their old defensive lines behind, conquering precious ground in order to improve their winter positions. But the enemy was far from being finished. The Russians needed time to regroup their forces, bled white during the repeated assaults, but were still strong enough to achieve local superiority. On 30 December, as the temperature rose a bit after days of arctic cold, the Axis troops began to think they had won the battle. The Russians suddenly launched a series of strong probing attacks. But these were a diversion, for the main thrust would again be directed against Hill 331.7.

Defender: Italian/German (II & XVII Bns 3rd Bersaglieri Regt, II Bn 318th Inf Regt, AdHoc Kampfgruppe)  

Errata (source)