KHA003
First Legion
The Third Battle of Kharkov took place in March 1943 during World War II and marked a pivotal moment on the Eastern Front. Initiated by the Soviet Union's Red Army in a bid to recapture the strategically significant city of Kharkov from German occupation, the battle unfolded amidst the harsh Ukrainian winter. Despite initial Soviet advances, the Germans launched a fierce counteroffensive, catching the Soviets off guard and inflicting heavy casualties. With some of the fiercest house to house fighting of the war, the Germans eventually cleared the city in the middle of March 1943.
The 3rd Battle of Kharkov was the last major victory by the Germans on the Eastern Front.