On the 12th of December the Soviets launched a series of attritional attacks against the much-tested troops of the Cosseria Division. Although both Cosseria battalions withstood the assaults, they were now badly intermingled and worryingly depleted, both contributing to the unraveling of their cohesion. On the following day, Soviet pressure mounted and the Italians were inexorably pushed back. A few strongpoints fell in the early hours, and the Soviets encircled a few more. Corps headquarters decided to counterattack, committing more than a battalion of German reinforcements from the 385th Infantry Division. This unit had just arrived and was deployed in the rear as a reserve.

The elements of the German 385th Infantry Division supported by the remaining Italian forces and a few flamethrower squads (an Italian army-level asset released for this duty) marched toward the advancing Soviets. Although the 385th had not been completely restored to full strength and was not considered a top-notch division, on this day they delivered. The mixed German-Italian force retook the entrenchments and restored most of the defensive line once more. One strongpoint (position N) remained in Soviet hands. The German colonel leading the action lost his life in the engagement.