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"A typical Russian plain with forests, hills and a few rivers crossed by stone bridges that create interesting choke points."

— World War II Anthology Edition Manual

The city of Kharkov (Ukrainian: Харків, Russian: Харьков) was subject to four battles between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany in World War II. In the first battle, in October, two German armies surrounded the city and captured it. In the second battle, in May 1942, the Soviets attempted to retake the city but were stalled by counterattacks and then cut off from their objective by a German flanking attack. In the third battle, in February 1943, the Red Army launched a number of attacks that broke the German defense lines and recaptured several cities, including Kharkov. However, the battles exhausted the Soviet troops, and German retaliation soon brought the city back into their hands. In the fourth battle, in August of the same year, the Red Army finally retook the city permanently. One such engagement is a map featured in Battlefield 1942.

Description[]

"Toward the end of the long winter offensive, Stalin ordered a swift assault on Kharkov. Both sides suffered incalculable losses during terrible weather, but Russia has begun to gain some momentum against the enemy. It is now becoming clear that the Germans are spread too thin due to Berlin's over-ambitious attempts to wage battle on multiple fronts.

Outside of Kharkov, the Russian offensive pushes onward. In the wooded area of the Donets River basin, Russian armored divisions have unveiled a new rocket launcher, the Katyusha (also known as the "Stalin Organ"). Mounted on trucks supplied by the Americans, this devastating weapon is wreaking havoc on enemy troops."

— Soviet Map Briefing

"With pressure increasing on multiple fronts, it is becoming very important that German troops make headway along the Eastern Front. Now that the long winter is nearly over, Berlin doesn't see any reason that the German Army shouldn't be able to gain major victories in Russia. The troops should be able to make up for any ground lost because of the harsh winter and the latest Russian attacks.

There have been reports from near Kharkov that the Russians are utilizing an effective new rocket launcher. Now that the weather is clearing, Berlin is looking once again to establish air and tank superiority on the front. It is critical for the German Army to push back the enemy offensive at Kharkov and keep them from building any further momentum."

— German Map Briefing

Conquest[]

"The Germans are advancing on Kharkov. By holding most of the outposts we can force them to withdraw."

— Soviet campaign briefing

"We will take Kharkov. In order to defeat the Russian army, we must capture and hold at least half of the outposts in the city."

— German campaign briefing

BF1942 Kharkov campaign

Campaign briefing

At the start of the game, Soviet and German forces each have an uncapturable base on either side of the map. Between the bases is an island, with a connecting bridge either side. Near each bridge, at the ends closest to the respective bases, are capturable points. On the island is a large hill, atop which lies a third capturable point. This is home to artillery, as well as flak and machine gun emplacements.

Equipment[]

Red Army
Light vehicle(s)

Willys MB

Light tank(s)

T-34-85

Armored personnel carrier(s)

M3 Half-track

Self Propelled Artillery

Katyusha

Fixed-wing aircraft

Yak-9
Il-2 Sturmovik

Emplacement(s)

M2 Browning
40mm Bofors

Wehrmacht
Light vehicle(s)

Kubelwagen

Light tank(s)

Panzer IV

Armored personnel carrier(s)

Hanomag

Self Propelled Artillery

Wespe

Fixed-wing aircraft

Bf-109
Ju-87 Stuka

Emplacement(s)

MG42
Flak 38


Flags[]

Soviet Base[]

The Soviet base is a farm with a small, converted airstrip, The layout consists of two houses and a barn. The two houses haveidentical layouts with nothing of interest inside. The barn holds two ladders which can be used to climb up to the second and third levels. The barn also contains an ammo crate to the left of the eastern entrance, and a medical cabinet to the right. The base spawns two T-34-85s and M3 Halftracks, one Willys WB, a Yak-9 and an Ilyushin-2. 

In singleplayer the Willy will not spawn.

German Base[]

The German base is an identical clone of the Russian Base. Two Panzer IVs and Hanomags, one Kübelwagen, a Ju-87 and a Bf-109 spawn here.

In singleplayer the Kübelwagen will not spawn.

Western Bank[]

The Western Bank flag is a flag point which acts as the Allies' staging ground to assault the city. It spawns one light tank and an MG position that points towards the bridge. The building ruins provide limited cover.

Kharkov Hills[]

This flag is the highest point of the map. A road leads up from the ruins of the city to the top of the hill, where two houses can be found. It spawns flak guns and artillery. The house in front of the flag has an ammunition box to the left of the door, and a medical cabinet to the right. Whoever holds the Hills point has an advantage because, in addition to causing enemy ticket bleed, the flag can be used as a vantage point to pound enemy attacks attempting to cross the river.

Eastern Bank[]

The Eastern Bank flag is a flag point which acts as the Axis' staging ground to assault the city. It spawns one light tank and an MG position that points towards the bridge. The building ruins provide limited cover 

Capture the Flag[]

The control point and vehicle layouts are identical to Conquest. The main bases contain the objective flags, and the other control points start neutral.

Team Deathmatch[]

The control point and vehicle layouts are identical to Conquest.

Outcomes[]

"The winter has worn down the Germans, and now Russian troops are mounting one successful campaign after another on the Eastern Front. The weather is cold for the soldiers on both sides, but it must seem even more bitter for the enemy as they succumb to the blasts of Russia's powerful new weapon, the "Stalin Organ." This war is far from over, but Stalin can envision more than ever a Russian push that won't stop until it reaches Berlin."

— Soviet Victory

"This defeat proved costly. It also proved that the German Army is not as cold and worn out by the long winter as some might believe. Not even the advantages gained by the new "Stalin Organ" could overcome the superiority of the enemy. Berlin will surely gain a great deal of satisfaction from this victory."

— Soviet Defeat

"With the winter chill thawing, German soldiers will now be able to continue their march through Russia. This victory against Russia will send an important message to German troops on all fronts. German command is now preparing plans for the next Russian target to crush under the heel of its supreme forces."

— German Victory

"First it was the long Russian winter that slowed the German advance on the Eastern Front, and now it seems as if the Russian offensive is taking its toll as well. The enemy seems to have an unending supply of reinforcements, and they are now receiving equipment from America. Their planes seem faster, and their tanks stronger. It is unclear what Berlin's next step will be, but it is clear that something besides the weather needs to change on the Eastern Front."

— German Defeat

Gallery[]

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