Frozen

The German 16th Army is trapped in a pocket around Demjansk and five Soviet armies are trying desperately to crush it. At dawn, units of the Russian 34th Army launch another assault with armor support. Lieutenant Hauke of the 30th …

1942-02-20

E17

The German 16th Army is trapped in a pocket around Demjansk and five Soviet armies are trying desperately to crush it. At dawn, units of the Russian 34th Army launch another assault with armor support. Lieutenant Hauke of the 30th Infantry Division calls his tanks forward. But the windy night has extinguished the warming fires under the panzers. Now the Russian winter has its icy grip on them and the engines won’t start.

Demjansk, Russia

The Demyansk Pocket was the name given to the pocket of German troops encircled by the Red Army around Demyansk, south of Leningrad, during World War II's Eastern Front. The pocket existed mainly from 8 February to 21 April 1942. A much smaller force was surrounded in the Kholm Pocket at the town of Kholm, about 100 km (62 mi) to the southwest. Both resulted from the German retreat after its defeat during the Battle of Moscow. The successful defence of Demyansk was achieved by using an airbridge and was a significant development in modern warfare. Its success was a major contributor to the decision by the Army High Command to try the same tactic during the Battle of Stalingrad, but it then failed to save the Sixth Army, commanded by Paulus.

Wikipedia: Demyansk Pocket

German

Russian