Meat Grinder

In the first quarter of 1942, Soviet forces executed a series of offensives near the Moscow area against the German Rzhev salient. While the Soviet objectives were not ultimately accomplished, these battles drew German attention away from reinforcing Stalingrad. The …

1942-02-14

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In the first quarter of 1942, Soviet forces executed a series of offensives near the Moscow area against the German Rzhev salient. While the Soviet objectives were not ultimately accomplished, these battles drew German attention away from reinforcing Stalingrad. The battles also caused such losses to the German forces that they were forced to abandon the salient in favor of regrouping. The loss of life in these particular battles earned this area the nickname "Meat Grinder".

Rzhev, Russia

The Battles of Rzhev were a series of Soviet operations in World War II between January 8, 1942 and March 31, 1943. Due to the high losses suffered by the Soviet Army, the campaign became known by veterans and historians as the "Rzhev Meat Grinder". During the Soviet winter counter-offensive of 1941, and the Rzhev–Vyazma strategic offensive operation (8 January 1942 – 20 April 1942), German forces were pushed back from Moscow. As a result, a salient was formed along the front line in the direction of the capital, which became known as the Rzhev–Vyazma salient. It was strategically important for the German Army Group Centre due to the threat it posed to Moscow, and was therefore heavily fortified and strongly defended.

Wikipedia: Battles of Rzhev

German

Russian