On 28th June 1942 Operation "Blau" - German summer offensive began. On this day from the Kursk - Stary Oskol region, 2nd Army, 4th Panzer Army and 2nd Hungarian Army moved.

Two days later, the 6th Army also started attacking.

Other goals of the operation were: the occupation of Voronezh, the exit of the Don, the occupation of Stalingrad and the exit to the Caucasus - towards the oil fields. The acquisition of Voronezh was necessary to bind Soviet forces and cover the northern flank of the main blow.
