Italian Crescendo ETO (id:#67357)

(ASL Action Pack #22 A World at War ID: AP238)   [next]   [previous]

Petrykivka, Ukraine 1941-09-28 (1 other)

Overview:

After the Kiev encirclement, the Soviet Southwestern Front had been largely destroyed. However, remnants of several armies were falling back across the Dnieper bend, particularly the 38th and 40th. Aiming to prevent these forces from reforming on the east bank of the Dnieper, Generaloberst Ewald von Kleist's 1. Panzerarmee moved southeast with XIV Panzerkorps. The Corpo di Spedizione Italiano in Russia (CSIR), the cream of the Italian army before the looming setbacks and disasters on the Eastern Front, advanced alongside Kleist forming part of the southern pincer. The town of Petrykivka on the western approaches of the Dnieper was a key crossing point. Thousands of Soviet troops retreated towards it, attempting to escape encirclement. The "Pasubio" Division reached the area first, pushing into villages west of Petrykivka. Soviet units, desperate to cross the river, launched frontal counterattacks with infantry supported by armor. The Italians, ill-equipped to face armor, were hard-pressed and called for German aid. The "Torino" Division moved up on "Pasubio's" flank, reinforcing the Italian line. "Celere" Division's Bersaglieri and cavalry swung south, attempting to cut Soviet escape routes and seize road junctions. Tanks from Panzer-Division 16 aided the Italians in breaking Soviet counterattacks. Fierce fighting ensued with Italians largely in a defensive line. Axis forces tightened the noose. "Celere's" fast units sealed gaps leading to the river.

Defender: Russian (93rd and 94th Tank Regiment, 47th Tank Division, 21st Mechanized Corps)  

Errata (source)