Generaloberst Walter Model (Oberbefehlshaber 9. Armee) walks during his inspection tour, followed by General der Infanterie Hans Zorn (Kommandierender General XXXXVI. Panzerkorps). In the summer of 1942, XXXXVI. Panzerkorps were under the command of 9. Armee and operates in and around the Rzhev region. Rzhev lies 140 miles (230 kilometres) west of Moscow and was captured by the German Wehrmacht in Operation Typhoon in the autumn of 1941, which took them to the gates of Moscow. When the Soviet counteroffensive drove them back, Rzhev became a cornerstone of the Germans' defense. By mid-1942, the city stood at the apogee of a salient that protruded from the front lines, pointing in the general direction of Moscow. In July and August 1942, Stalin tasked two of his front commanders, General Georgy Zhukov (commanding Western Front) and General Ivan Konev (commanding Kalinin Front), to conduct an offensive to recapture Rzhev and strike a blow against Heeresgruppe Mitte that would push them away from Moscow. The attack would fall upon one of their main opponents of the winter battles, General Walter Model's 9. Armee, which occupied the majority of the Rzhev salient. The high losses and few gains made during the two-month struggle left a lasting impression on the Soviet soldiers who took part. The Red Army suffered massive casualties for little gain during the fighting, giving the battle a notoriety reflected in its sobriquet: "The Rzhev Meat Grinder". In October, the strategic balance in the centre of the Eastern Front remained essentially unchanged. However, the German army had also suffered grievous losses, and whilst its defence had been tactically successful, it had achieved little more than maintaining the status quo. And although the offensive failed, Zhukov was given another chance to crush the Rzhev salient soon afterwards.
Source :
Akira Takiguchi photo collection
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