Breakout Dance

As the Kalinin Front - led by several Soviet Shock Armies, drove westward they were able to completely encircle the German 277th Infantry Regiment at Velikiye-Luki. Outside relief for this surrounded force was not to be had, however, so orders …

1943-01-01

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As the Kalinin Front - led by several Soviet Shock Armies, drove westward they were able to completely encircle the German 277th Infantry Regiment at Velikiye-Luki. Outside relief for this surrounded force was not to be had, however, so orders were given for its units to effect a breakout. The Soviet 129th Rifle Regiment held the line to the southwest on the road to Nevel. This force appeared to be the weakest, so it was in this sector that many attempts to exfiltrate were made. One such night-time attempt involved Lieutenant Schrader’s platoon of 32 men, who had been hiding in brush-covered slit trenches throughout the day.

Velikiye Luki, Russia

The Velikiye Luki offensive operation was executed by the forces of the Red Army's Kalinin Front against the Wehrmacht's 3rd Panzer Army during the Winter Campaign of 1942–1943 with the objective of liberating the Russian city of Velikiye Luki as part of the northern pincer of the Rzhev-Sychevka Strategic Offensive Operation.

Wikipedia: Battle for Velikiye Luki

German

Russians