After failing to finish off the German Army in the 1941-42 Winter Counteroffensive, and aware that Hitler was planning a new summer offensive in mid-1942, Stalin directed the Red Army to conduct a powerful blow in one sector of the Eastern Front in order to disrupt German plans. The sector chosen was Kharkov, and under Marshal Semyon Timoshenko the Stavka's remaining reserves were assembled and prepared to conduct a breakthrough attack intended to encircle the German Sixth Army. However, the Germans were planning their own riposte at Kharkov, known as Operation Fridericus. The campaign developed into one of the Red Army's greatest defeats of World War II, contributing to the Wehrmacht's ability to push to the Vogla River. This title describes the revival of the German Panzertruppen in the prelude to the Stalingrad campaign.

Includes maps of: Creation of the Barvenkovo Salient, January-March 1942; Situation on the Kharkov Axis, 11 May 1942; Attack of the Soviet Northern Group, 12 May 1942; Operations in the Northern Sector, 13-20 May 1942; Attack of 6th Army and Army Group Bobkin, 12-18 May 1942; Defense of Krasnograd, 14-19 May 1942; Kleist's Attack, 17-22 May 1942; Destruction of the Barvenkovo Kessel, 24-28 May 1942; Aftermath, June 1942.

Origins of the campaign -- Chronology -- Opposing commanders -- Opposing forces -- Opposing plans -- The Soviet Offensive, 12-16 May 1942 -- The German counteroffensive, 17-23 May 1942 -- The end game, 24-29 May 1942 -- Aftermath -- The battlefield today.