The Third Battle of Kharkov: A Pivotal German Counteroffensive on the Eastern Front

The Third Battle of Kharkov represents a critical and complex series of engagements on the Eastern Front during World War II, fought between Nazi Germany's Army Group South and the Soviet Red Army. This intense struggle unfolded around the strategically vital city of Kharkov (known today as Kharkiv in Ukraine) from 19 February to 15 March 1943. Known to the German high command as the Donets Campaign, reflecting its focus on the Donets River region, and to the Soviet Union as the Donbas and Kharkov operations, this German counterstrike achieved a significant, albeit temporary, reversal of Soviet gains, leading to the recapture of Kharkov and the nearby city of Belgorod.

The Looming Shadow of Stalingrad and Soviet Advances (January-February 1943)

The prelude to the Third Battle of Kharkov was set by the catastrophic encirclement of the German Sixth Army in the Battle of Stalingrad in late 1942. As the vast forces of Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus's Sixth Army faced ultimate destruction, the Soviet Red Army capitalized on this strategic advantage, launching a series of ambitious and wide-ranging offensives across the southern sector of the Eastern Front. These operations aimed to further exploit German weakness and liberate vast territories.

• Operation Star (Kharkov Offensive Operation): Launched on 29 January 1943, this offensive by the Soviet Voronezh Front and Southwestern Front targeted Kharkov and the surrounding industrial Donbas region.
• Operation Gallop (Voroshilovgrad Offensive Operation): Also commencing on 29 January, this concurrent offensive by the Southwestern Front aimed to push deep into German lines, liberating cities like Voroshilovgrad (now Luhansk) and Izium.

These initial Soviet victories were decisive. Between January and early February 1943, the Red Army successfully broke through formidable German defenses, leading to the rapid recapture of key strategic cities including Kharkov, Belgorod, Kursk, Voroshilovgrad, and Izium. The scale of these advances, while impressive, had a critical drawback: the participating Soviet units became severely over-extended. Their supply lines stretched thin across vast, often devastated terrain, while continuous combat operations led to heavy attrition, depleting manpower and equipment.

By 2 February 1943, the German Sixth Army at Stalingrad had surrendered, freeing up substantial Soviet resources. Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov, coordinating the Soviet effort, then redirected the attention of forces, including the newly formed Central Front under Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky, westward. On 25 February, these forces expanded their offensive against both Army Group South and Army Group Center. However, months of relentless fighting had taken a tremendous toll on the Soviet forces. Many divisions, nominally at full strength, were reduced to a mere 1,000 to 2,000 combat-effective soldiers, signaling an opportune moment for a German counterattack.

Manstein's Masterstroke: The German Counterattack (February 1943)

Recognizing the Red Army's overextension and exhaustion, Field Marshal Erich von Manstein, commander of Army Group South, formulated a bold and complex counteroffensive plan. Widely considered one of the Wehrmacht's most capable strategists, Manstein launched his Kharkov counterstrike on 19 February 1943. His forces comprised a powerful combination of newly arrived, well-equipped units and veteran formations, strategically deployed to deliver a decisive blow.

• II SS Panzer Corps: This elite formation, commanded by Paul Hausser, played a pivotal role. It consisted of three formidable SS Panzer Grenadier Divisions: the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich, and the 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf. These units were well-equipped and highly motivated.
• Additional Panzer Armies: Manstein's offensive also integrated elements from two panzer armies – the Fourth Panzer Army, led by General Hermann Hoth, and Army Detachment Kempf, commanded by General Werner Kempf. These combined forces provided significant armored thrust.

A crucial factor in Manstein's success was the overwhelming air support provided by Field Marshal Wolfram von Richthofen's Luftflotte 4 (Air Fleet 4). With a total of 1,214 aircraft, Luftflotte 4 executed an astonishing average of over 1,000 sorties per day from 20 February to 15 March. This level of airpower, which included vital close air support, reconnaissance, and interdiction missions, was comparable to the intensity seen during the major strategic offensive of Case Blue a year earlier (the German summer offensive of 1942 that led to Stalingrad). This air superiority allowed German ground forces to operate with reduced threat from Soviet air attacks and provided critical tactical advantages, such as softening Soviet positions and disrupting their lines of communication.

Tactical Brilliance and Urban Warfare: The Recapture of Kharkov

Manstein's strategic brilliance was evident in the initial phase of the counteroffensive. Employing classic flanking maneuvers, the Wehrmacht forces systematically outmaneuvered, encircled, and decisively defeated the exposed Soviet armored spearheads that had advanced too far south of Kharkov. This "backhand blow" tactic, characteristic of Manstein's operational style, destroyed significant Soviet formations and restored a degree of stability to the German front lines.

With the Soviet threat south of the city neutralized, Manstein renewed his offensive against Kharkov itself on 7 March. The plan initially called for the II SS Panzer Corps to encircle Kharkov from the north, aiming to trap Soviet defenders and avoid costly frontal assaults. However, in a display of aggressive initiative, the commanders of the SS Panzer Corps, primarily Hausser, chose a more direct approach. Disregarding orders for encirclement, they launched a direct assault on the city on 11 March. This decision, while potentially risky, was driven by the desire for a swift victory and a determination to recapture the city with minimal delay.

The direct assault plunged Kharkov into four days of brutal and relentless house-to-house fighting. Urban warfare is notoriously difficult, characterized by close-quarters combat, hidden dangers, and heavy casualties on both sides. Every street, building, and room became a battleground, as German SS troops meticulously fought their way through Soviet defenses. The ferocity of the combat underscored the strategic importance of Kharkov. Finally, on 15 March, the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler succeeded in fully recapturing Kharkov. Just two days later, German forces also recaptured Belgorod, consolidating their gains and solidifying the new front line. This successful counteroffensive, however, created a prominent bulge or "salient" in the German lines around Kursk – a geographical feature that would set the stage for the largest tank battle in history just four months later, the Battle of Kursk in July 1943.

Costs and Consequences of the Third Battle of Kharkov

The Third Battle of Kharkov, while a significant tactical victory for Germany, came at a considerable cost to both sides.

• Soviet Casualties: The German offensive inflicted an estimated 90,000 casualties on the Red Army, encompassing killed, wounded, and captured soldiers. These losses, coupled with the previous attrition from earlier offensives, temporarily blunted the Soviet strategic momentum following Stalingrad.
• German Casualties: The urban warfare, particularly the house-to-house fighting within Kharkov, was exceptionally bloody for the German SS Panzer Corps. By the time operations concluded in mid-March, this elite formation had suffered approximately 4,300 men killed and wounded. While lower than Soviet losses, these were significant casualties for a single corps, particularly given its elite status and the temporary nature of the German victory.

In essence, the Third Battle of Kharkov represented a strategic pause in the relentless Soviet push westward. Manstein's brilliant counteroffensive restored a semblance of stability to the German Southern Front, showcasing his tactical genius and the continued fighting capability of the Wehrmacht under desperate circumstances. However, it did not alter the fundamental strategic trajectory of the war. It merely delayed the inevitable Soviet advances and inadvertently set the stage for even larger, more decisive conflicts like the Battle of Kursk, which would ultimately determine the long-term fate of the Eastern Front.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Third Battle of Kharkov

When did the Third Battle of Kharkov take place?

The Third Battle of Kharkov occurred between 19 February and 15 March 1943, following a series of wide-ranging Soviet offensives.

What were the alternative names for the Third Battle of Kharkov?

To the German side, it was known as the Donets Campaign. In the Soviet Union, it was referred to as the Donbas and Kharkov operations.

Who were the main commanders involved in the Third Battle of Kharkov?

The German counteroffensive was led by Field Marshal Erich von Manstein, commanding Army Group South. Key Soviet forces were under the overall coordination of Marshal Georgy Zhukov, with specific Fronts commanded by figures like Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky.

What was the strategic context leading up to the battle?

The battle was a direct response to the massive Soviet gains made after the encirclement of the German Sixth Army at Stalingrad. Soviet operations like Operation Star and Operation Gallop had led to the recapture of significant territories, including Kharkov, but also left their forces overextended.

Which German units were instrumental in the counteroffensive?

The II SS Panzer Corps, comprising the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich, and 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf, along with elements of the Fourth Panzer Army and Army Detachment Kempf, were crucial to the German success.

How significant was air support in the Third Battle of Kharkov?

Air support from Field Marshal Wolfram von Richthofen's Luftflotte 4 was immensely significant. With over 1,200 aircraft flying more than 1,000 sorties daily, it provided critical close air support, reconnaissance, and interdiction, heavily influencing the outcome.

What was the outcome of the Third Battle of Kharkov?

The German forces successfully recaptured Kharkov and Belgorod, restoring their front lines and inflicting heavy casualties on the Red Army. However, this created the Kursk salient, which would become the site of a much larger battle later in 1943.

What were the casualties like in the Third Battle of Kharkov?

The Red Army suffered an estimated 90,000 casualties. The German SS Panzer Corps, particularly during the house-to-house fighting in Kharkov, also sustained significant losses, with approximately 4,300 men killed and wounded.