FIGHTING ON THE TERRITORY OF THE OSKOL REGION IN THE SUMMER OF 1942 AS ONE OF THE STAGES OF THE VORONEZH-VOROSHILOVGRAD OPERATION: ANALYSIS, RESULTS, SIGNIFICANCE

Abstract

The article analyzes the development, results and significance of defensive battles for the city of Stary Oskol during the Voronezh-Voroshshilovgrad operation in the spring-summer campaign of 1942. Based on previously unpublished archival sources, the paper investigates the features of the operation and identifies the main reasons for its failure. These include tactical and strategic errors, the superiority of the Wehrmacht forces in this sector of the front, the lack of coherence and coordination in the actions of individual units and various fronts of the Red Army when trying to organize a counter-offensive. The authors conclude that defensive battles and battles in the environment in the vicinity of Stary Oskol were subsequently of great tactical importance. They fettered significant enemy forces and restrained his further advance in the direction of Voronezh and Stalingrad. In General, this was reflected in the development and results of the battle of Stalingrad. In addition, the authors reveal the historical reasons for assigning the title of «City of military glory» to Stary Oskol. The authors analyze a number of scientific and historical sources, including previously unpublished data from the Central archive of the Ministry of defense of the Russian Federation and the Starooskolsky Museum of local lore.