From the bunker of Ozgurnikov...

This map shows the dispositions and the movements of my forces in the first battle. As one can see Soviet forces were on the defensive on the south side while the northern shoulder did a converging turn on the bridge positions on the eastern end.

1st and 2nd recon. groups were about a company each supplemented by AT rifle and MG units. They did not encounter any German troops. However the much smaller 3rd unit ran into the German spearhead at the start of the battle. It was quickly put out of action. Sometime in the middle of the battle, Germans emptied their mortars on the forest but luckily it hit almost noone and nothing except some trees.

German spearhead ran into the prepared position along the forest border and was received with the automatics of the defenders ( men of the motor battalion ) and the artillery poured their remaining rounds into the predicted German positions.

Interestingly, Ozgurnikov's own unit was in the vicinity of the valley where the Germans approached when the battle started. Map also shows his path as he returned to his command post in the village.

It also deserves mention that the Shermans of the attached armored regiment performed suberply in the field. Despite their narrower tracks the Shermans were able to cross the treacherous countryside in the northern part and accompany the infantry on their advance.

We must make good use of our superiority in the field of artillery and make the Germans pay dearly for every meter they advance.