First Battle of Kharkov

The First Battle of Kharkov, named by Wilhelm Keitel, took place in 1941 and was a conflict for control of the city of Kharkov, located in the Ukrainian SSR, during the final stage of Operation Barbarossa. The battle was fought between the German 6th Army, part of Army Group South, and the Soviet Southwestern Front. The Soviet 38th Army was tasked with defending the city while its factories were dismantled and moved to a more easterly location. The main objective for the German 6th Army was to capture Kharkov, which would help them close the growing gap between themselves and the German 17th Army. By 20 October, the Germans had advanced to the western edge of the city, and by 24 October, the 57th Infantry Division was able to take control of Kharkov. By this time, however, most of the city's industrial facilities had been evacuated or rendered useless by Soviet authorities. In the fall of 1941, Kharkov was of great strategic importance to the Soviets because of its vital rail and air connections. The city served as a crucial link between the east-west and north-south regions of Ukraine, as well as various central areas of the USSR, such as the Crimea, the Caucasus, the Dnieper region, and the Donbass. As one of the largest industrial centers in the Soviet Union, Kharkov played a significant role in contributing to the country's military capabilities. In particular, the Kharkov Tractor Plant was instrumental in the design and development of the Soviet T-34 tank, which became a highly productive facility and a symbol of the city's industrial prowess. In addition to the Tractor Plant, Kharkov was home to other important industrial facilities such as the Kharkov Aircraft Plant, the Kharkov Plant of the NKVD (FED), and the Kharkov Turbine Plant. The city's various military industries were responsible for the production of various critical items, including Su-2 aircraft, artillery tractors, 82mm mortars, submachine guns, ammunition, and other military equipment.