ASL Comp Cherkassy III: Khilki EVERYMAN EDITION

Khilki, Russia, 15 February 1944: The day before the thawing had left the ground too soft for large scale movements, but as the ground began to refreeze the Soviets attacked with the intent to drive through to Shanderovka. The Soviets had probed the German line around Khilki since Major Kästner and his ad hoc group had captured the village. Major Kästner set up his defense to prepare for the Soviet counter attack. The brief thaw had given the Germans time to build some of their defenses. The attack this day hit Kästner’s right flank; which also covered the main road to Shanderovka. The soft ground and rutted roads channeled the Russian tanks and infantry into kill zones where the guns could pick them off. Individual fearless tank hunting soldiers finished off the tanks that got through and the line held.