Operation Fredericus and 1942

The Great Battle South of Kharkov - Operation Fredericus
17th May 1942

Before the Summer Campaign had taken place, 6th Army of Paulus and
1st Panzer Army of Kleist had captured the Sovjet Balakleya-Izyum
salient near Kharkov. 1250 tanks and 2026 gunswere destroyed.
The Soviets losing 239.000 men as prisoner alone and the Germans gaining
a valuable area from which to begin the new offensive. The Soviets launched
an attack towards Kharkov on the 12th May 1942, pre-empting a German
strike code-named 'Fredericus' in the same area by six days. Although the
OKH commanded to start 'Fredericus', one day earlier, as planned
(17th instead of 18th May 1942).
A counter-attack, not defence, was believed to be the best solution.
It was by the 22nd the enemy was encircled between von Kleist's and
Paulus' armies and a great victory was achieved.

After Kerch and Kharkov the German eastern army showed itself to be once
again at the peak of it superior strenght. Within three weeks 409.000 Soviet
soldiers taken prison, 3159 guns and 1508 tanks destroyed or captured.
Victory dominated the minds of the soldiers and the Wehrmacht communiques.
It certainly was amazing. But forgotten was the terrible winter and the
spectre of defeat.



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