[Raptor1]

Day 3 - December 14th, 1942

51st Army Sector

Either due to the last day's successes or because of the disorganization of German forces, the offensive has noticeably slowed down today. While German units continue to move forward to the Aksay river, pushing aside the stranded remains of the 4th Cavalry Corps' position south of the river, they make only one concentrated attempt to breach the new line northwest of Shestakov, with the 6th Panzer Division establishing a bridgehead across the river. However, with the Soviet position now reorganized and reinforced, the 51st Army and 4th Tank Corps is able to mount a rapid counterattack, smashing the 114th Panzergrenadier Regiment and pushing the Germans back to the southern bank of the river.

Elsewhere, units on the Aksay river line continue to entrench into the new prepared positions, and local reserves are established to reinforce any position facing a German attack. A German recon battalion is mauled south of Shestakov, finally allowing the 245th Tank Regiment to get back to the Soviet lines. The 27th Reconnaissance Battalion is attacked again, forcing it back south but failing to destroy it. Meanwhile, utilizing the recently captured bridge, the 15th Guards Rifle Division and 36th Mechanized Brigade cross the Don, assaulting and capturing Nitzsky Chirskaya.



Operation Saturn: D-1

With the German attack seemingly contained, STAVKA orders final operations for Operation Saturn to commence. Across the Chir and northern Don river line, Soviet units shuffle positions and move to contact with the enemy. Preliminary attacks on the Italian II Corps and Alpine Corps are attempted by the Soviet 6th and 1st Guards Armies, but they do not manage to break through the heavily fortified lines yet.