Chronology of World War II
Germans abandon Kharkov, Soviets move in
Tuesday, February 16, 1943 www.onwar.com

German forces withdrawing from the Kharkov areaOn the Eastern Front... Kharkov is captured by the Red Army after several days of intensive fighting on the approach to the city. General Hausser, commanding the 2nd SS Panzer Corps, chooses to withdraw from Kharkov rather than risk encirclement inside the city. This action is carried out in spite of an order, directly from Hitler, to defend the city.

In Tunisia... Forward elements of Montgomery's forces capture Medenine on the approaches to the Mareth line.
This chronological study of the Second World War provides a comprehensive day-by-day account of WWII. While focused on the military history of the war, with an emphasis on the battles and campaigns fought, the timeline includes social and political history as well. Some Holocaust related events are already recorded and additional updates are pending. In so far as possible, the images included in this presentation are pictures from the given days. Additional information and images are welcome through the feedback form found on the index.