Instead of rolling into November or December as in past summers, German offensive operations lasted but 8 days in 1943. Within two weeks, the Soviets had grabbed the initiative and held it for the remainder of the war. On August 3rd, the 5th Guards Tank Corps jumped off as the mobile group of 6th Guards Army. After failing to exploit a breach in the German lines made by the 71st Guards Rifle Division, the 5th Tank Corps was shifted to provide tank support for the 23rd Guards Rifle Corps attacking the Germans at Tomarovka. Supported by a Battlegroup of the 19th Panzer Division, and its own antitank positions, the 255th Infantry Division was capable of a tough defense.
Objectives: The command platoon of your company will move south down the road and support the SU-122 Battery in bombarding the antitank positions in the village. Your platoon, initially supported by a squadron of BA-10 Armored Cars and the remaining platoon of your company, will attack the village positions from the flank, then proceed south to the objective.
