The Bukrin Bridgehead ETO (id:#60425)

(Turning the Tide ID: U33)   [next]   [previous]

Prior Publication: SL SCE C

50 miles S.E. of Kiev, Russia 1943-09-24 (2 others)

Overview:

In mid September 1943 Manstein’s Army Group South initiated a full scale retreat along the entire length of its 600 mile front. The plan was to fall back to the west bank of the Dnieper and redeploy for defense before the Russians could form any bridgeheads across the river. One spot where the race was won by the Red Army was near the village of Bukrin, where the Third Guards Tank Army with the help of partisans crossed in company strength, during the first hours of Sept. 22; reinforcement of the bridgehead was begun forthwith. The Germans immediately rushed the advance elements of the 19th Panzer Division down from Kiev to seal off this dangerous foothold. On the 24th the Russians pressed their attack in an attempt to break through the weakly held German defensive line and link up with a simultaneous paradrop of three Airborne Brigades further to the southwest.

Defender: German (Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilungs 19/Reinforcements)  

Errata (source)