Stampede at Hill 253.5 ETO (id:#61003)

(High Ground 2 ID: HG-10)   [next]   [previous]

Prior Publication: High Ground

NE of Ponyri, Russia 1943-07-09 (33 others)

Overview:

Operation Citadel had begun, but instead of the desired lightning breakthrough, fighting had taken on the characteristics of World War I trench warfare. In four days of grueling combat, the XLI Panzer Corps had managed to penetrate the defenses of the Soviet 13th Army to only a depth of five miles. The German corps, now being slowly forced onto the defensive by increasing enemy pressure, needed to secure a strong position on which to anchor its left flank and to free the mobile elements. Such a spot was the commanding height of Hill 253.5 near the village of Ponyri. On 9 July, the Germans stormed and captured Hill 239.8 and, to exploit this success, an assault on 253.5 was ordered.

Defender: Russian (Reinforced elements of 1021st Rifle Regiment, 307th Rifle Division)  

Errata (source)