A massive airborne assault behind enemy lines was intended to play a key role in cutting the Vyazma-Smolensk railway and highway. Nevertheless, the paratroopers linked up with General Pavel Belov’s Guards Cavalry Corps operating behind German lines and awaited the arrival of the main forces. But, the main forces were unable to penetrate the enemy's defenses. The Demyansk Airborne OperationSergey Korshunov/SputnikIn early February 1942, Soviet troops encircled a large enemy force for the first time in the war. A small reconnaissance team was airlifted into the “cauldron”, while the main forces of several airborne brigades, numbering approximately 9,000 men, entered it on skis.