Battles of Izyum

Battles of Izyum
Part of Eastern Front of World War II
Military Memorial Monument of World War II located at Izyum
Date 20 January–28 May 1942 Location Izyum, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic Result Decisive Italian victory[1]
Belligerents
Italy Supported by:  Germany	Soviet Union Supported by:  United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Giovanni Messe	Georgy Zhukov
Strength
3 divisions 3rd Bersaglieri 2 Infantry Battalions 1 Assault Unit	5 division 1st Infantry Division Other Unknown
Casualties and losses
250,000 Soviet troops killed by Italians and Germans

Battles of Izyum was a series of battles fought between the Italian forces and Soviet Union during Eastern Front of World War II.

The fighting in the Voroshilova sector and the wider Samara–Izyum front during early 1942 saw Italian CSIR units endure constant Soviet attacks, extreme cold, and chronic shortages while holding exposed forward positions such as Voroshilova, where the 63rd “Tagliamento” Legion suffered daily air raids and bombardments from Soviet forces on the surrounding heights until relieved on January 20; even after withdrawing to Hill 311.7, heavy losses continued as the Soviet January offensive expanded across the Bereka and Samara rivers toward Losovaya and Krivoroshije, putting pressure on both the German 17th Army and the Italian lines.^[1] To show Italy’s commitment, General Messe formed the improvised “Musinu” Group made of engineers, dismounted tank crews, artillery, and cavalry elements which fought a series of difficult actions at Soviefka, Nikolajevka, Petrovka, and Snamenovka, suffering heavy casualties before being replaced by another mixed detachment under Colonel Giusiana. Through February and March, reinforced by new Bersaglieri, artillery, and the “Monte Cervino” Ski Battalion, Italian units helped block repeated Soviet attacks at Novaya Orlovka, Orlovka, and in the Pasubio and Torino sectors, and later joined German forces in a counterattack on March 22 that contributed to halting the Soviet offensive; by late March, both sides were exhausted, the thaw forced a pause, and CSIR units reorganized with new regiments, cavalry groups, and even a Croatian Legion. In May 1942, Italians took part in actions linked to the German counteroffensive that closed the Izyum pocket and destroyed two Soviet armies, and after further fighting near Greko Timofejevskij in June, the CSIR ended its role as an autonomous force, becoming the XXXV Army Corps under the newly formed Italian 8th Army on 9 July 1942.^[1][2][3]