Page "Third Battle of Kharkov" Paragraph 28

The Das Reich division attacked on the same day, along the west side of Kharkov.

After penetrating into the city's Zalyutino district, the advance was stopped by a deep anti-tank ditch, lined with Soviet defenders, including anti-tank guns.

A Soviet counterattack was repulsed after a bloody firefight.

A detachment of the division fought its way to the southern approaches of the city, cutting off the road to Merefa.

At around 15: 00, Hoth ordered Hausser to immediately disengage with the Das Reich, and instead redeploy to cut off escaping Soviet troops.

Instead, Hausser sent a detachment from the Totenkopf division for this task and informed Hoth that the risk of disengaging with the Das Reich was far too great.

On the night of 11 – 12 March, a breakthrough element crossed the anti-tank ditch, taking the Soviet defenders by surprise, and opening a path for tanks to cross.

This allowed the Das Reich to advance to the city's main railway station, which would be the farthest this division would advance into the city.

Hoth repeated his order at 00: 15, on 12 March, and Hausser replied as he had replied on 11 March.

However, a third attempt by Hoth was obeyed, and Das Reich disengaged, using a corridor opened by LSSAH to cross northern Kharkov and redeploy east of the city.