First Battle of Kharkov
The First Battle of Kharkov, named by Wilhelm Keitel,[1] took place in 1941 and was a conflict for control of the city of Kharkov,[c] located in the Ukrainian SSR, during the final stage of Operation Barbarossa. The battle was fought between the German 6th Army, part of Army Group South, and the Soviet Southwestern Front. The Soviet 38th Army was tasked with defending the city while its factories were dismantled and moved to a more easterly location.
For other battles in Kharkov, see Battle of Kharkov.The main objective for the German 6th Army was to capture Kharkov, which would help them close the growing gap between themselves and the German 17th Army. By 20 October, the Germans had advanced to the western edge of the city, and by 24 October, the 57th Infantry Division was able to take control of Kharkov. By this time, however, most of the city's industrial facilities had been evacuated or rendered useless by Soviet authorities.
Importance of Kharkov[edit]
Kharkov's railroad system[edit]
In the fall of 1941, Kharkov was of great strategic importance to the Soviets because of its vital rail and air connections. The city served as a crucial link between the east-west and north-south regions of Ukraine, as well as various central areas of the USSR, such as the Crimea, the Caucasus, the Dnieper region, and the Donbass.
Military importance[edit]
As one of the largest industrial centers in the Soviet Union, Kharkov played a significant role in contributing to the country's military capabilities. In particular, the Kharkov Tractor Plant was instrumental in the design and development of the Soviet T-34 tank, which became a highly productive facility and a symbol of the city's industrial prowess. In addition to the Tractor Plant, Kharkov was home to other important industrial facilities such as the Kharkov Aircraft Plant, the Kharkov Plant of the NKVD (FED), and the Kharkov Turbine Plant.
The city's various military industries were responsible for the production of various critical items, including Su-2 aircraft, artillery tractors, 82mm mortars, submachine guns, ammunition, and other military equipment. Given the strategic importance of Kharkov's industrial production, German forces set their sights on seizing control of the city's railroads and military factories during the First Battle of Kharkov.[2]
Adolf Hitler himself emphasized the importance of capturing these military installations, recognizing that the region, especially the Donets Basin extending from the Kharkov area, was the foundation of the Russian economy. The Germans believed that control of this vital economic center would inevitably lead to the collapse of the entire Russian economy. As a result, they fought fiercely to retain control of the Kharkov industrial area.
Population of Kharkov[edit]
Kharkov, a major Soviet city, had a population of 901,000 on 1 May 1941. By September of that year, however, the population had swelled to 1.5 million due to an influx of evacuees from other cities seeking refuge from the ongoing war. After enduring years of deadly conflict, Kharkov's population dwindled significantly to between 180,000 and 190,000 by the time the city was retaken in August 1943.[3]
Course of the battle[edit]
Preparing to take the city[edit]
The task of attacking Kharkov itself was assigned to the German LV. Armeekorps under the command of General der Infanterie Erwin Vierow. This corps consisted of three divisions: 101. Leichte-Division, under the command of Generalleutnant Josef Brauner von Haydringen, advancing from the north; the 57. Infanterie-Division, under the command of Generalmajor Anton Dostler, advancing from the south; and the 100. Leichte-Division, which did not take part in the battle. Hauptmann Kurt von Barisani's Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 197 had two of its three batteries attached to the 57. Infanterie-Division and provided close fire support during the attack.
For the defense of Kharkov, the Soviet 216th Rifle Division had been re-established there after its destruction in Kiev. However, it received little to no support as the 38th Army was in strategic retreat and planned to defend Kharkov only until its factory equipment had been evacuated.