The First Rzhev–Sychyovka offensive operation was a failed Soviet offensive launched against the German Wehrmacht's Rzhev salient on the Eastern Front of World War II.
Background[]
After the Battle of Moscow, the Rzhev salient formed at a strategic crossroads and vital rail junction on the Volga. The city of Rzhev came to form the northern corner post of Army Group Center's left wing, and it gave the German 9th Army a position to hold on to amid a wilderness of forest and swamp. The Kalinin Front's 39th and 29th Armies opened a gap west of Rzhev at the start of the salient's existence, threatening the German rear. The Kalinin Front launched a failed attempt to encircle the salient from January to April 1942 in the Rzhev-Vyazma strategic offensive operation, and July 1942 saw the German 9th Army launch Operation Seydlitz to eliminate the salient between Bely and Kholm-Zhirkovsky, succeeding in destroying two Soviet armies.
As the Germans now threatened Moscow, the Kalinin Front launched a fresh offensive in July 1942. The Kalinin Front was to create a shock group of 11 rifle divisions and 3 rifle brigades, 8 tank brigades, and 10 artillery regiments, and the Stavka supplied the front with 5 rifle divisions, 6 tank brigades, 2 artillery regiments, 4 antitank artillery regiments, and 10 M-30 "Katyusha" battalions. Colonel General Alexander Novikov of the Soviet Air Force was to utilize 1,100 aircraft to smash through the German front and enable a Soviet infantry and armored breakthrough.
History[]
At 6:30 AM on 30 July, the Soviet 30th Army's artillery opened fire on the German positions. The Soviet rifle divisions began their attack, with the 16th Guards Rifle Division overrunning the German forward trenches in the first hour and the 379th and 111th Rifle Divisions penetrating into the German front line to the 16th Division's right. The German 256th Infantry Division committed its reserves and held off a strong Soviet flank attack. On 31 July, Soviet tank breakdowns caused their attack to stall. Without massed artillery support, the Soviets were unable to destroy the German defensive positions. The 16th Guards Rifle Division suffered 1,000 casualties during several failed attacks on the village of Polunino. By 3 August, the Germans had inflicted thousands of casualties on the Soviet rifle divisions. The Soviet 30th Army was forced to halt its attacks after a week, but the 220th Rifle Division renewed its offensive on 10 August and took Belkovo on 12 August despite heavy losses. The Soviets erred in sending forth masses of charging men who were shot to pieces, and Soviet replacements were often thrown directly into battle from their trains. The Soviets suffered catastrophic casualties, although the Germans also sent in all available reserves and were desperate for reinforcements. The Germans were forced to abandon Putino at the end of the month.
Menawhile, the Soviet Western Front launched its offensive on 4 August 1942. The Soviet artillery attack destroyed several German defensive positions, and the 331st Rifle Division made good progress in its attack. Adolf Hitler released five divisions intended to take the Sukhinichi bulge and dispatched the 1st Panzer Division, 2nd Panzer Division, 5th Panzer Division, 102nd Infantry Division, and 78th Infantry Division to hold off the Soviet attacks. By 5 August, the Soviets had made a wide and deep penetration into the German ranks, but Luftwaffe attacks prevented the Soviets from sending reinforcements and tanks across the Darzha River. The Soviets were still able to outflank the 5th Panzer Division and nearly encircle it, inflicting heavy losses. German air power forced back Soviet armored attacks, and the 2nd Panzer Division fought off heavy attacks from the Soviet 8th Tank Corps on 11 August. On 23 August, the Soviets took Kamanovo, but they were unable to advance further against strengthened German trenches complete by concealed mortar and anti-tank gun positions protected by minefields. On 26 August, Zhukov was promoted to Deputy Commander-in-Chief and sent to the Stalingrad Front, leaving Ivan Konev in command of the Kalinin Front. The Soviets made minor progress before Hitler released the Panzergrenadier Division Grossdeutschland for a counterattack on 9 September 1942, preventing a Soviet breakthrough.
The "Rzhev meat grinder" cost the Soviets over 300,000 men, with their armies being reduced to 184,265 men and 306 tanks. The Germans suffered over 70,000 losses.