Hell Freezes Over ETO (id:#61545)

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Panovo, Russia 1941-12-14 (4 others)

Overview:

As Operation Typhoon ground to a halt and the brutal Russian winter closed in, the German army was left in a position of extreme peril at the gates of Moscow. Strung out and suffering from heavy casualties, the Germans were in no position to deal with the cold and the Russian counteroffensive that was brewing. The German generals pleaded with Hitler to withdraw their frostbitten and exhausted troops to more defensible locations. Hitler forbade retreat, but authorized consolidation into defensive positions. The decision came not a moment too soon. Even as the Germans were digging in, STAVKA was positioning tough and specially equipped Siberian troops and armor for the counteroffensive. Among the positions the Germans were determined to hold was the highway bridge near the town of Panovo. Partially destroyed during Operation Typhoon, the town still provided the Germans with cover. Grim and shivering infantry of the 3rd Motorized Rifle Regiment hunkered down in the frozen, burnt-out rubble and waited for the Russians to appear.

Defender: German (3rd Motorized Rifle Regiment and 6th Panzer Battalion)  

Errata (source)