0125_01s: The Korsun Pocket Full Campaign_Alt - PzC 06 Korsun '44

"Korsun Salient", 120kms SE Kiev, January 25th 1944: In the middle of January 1944, the overall front line of the 1st and 2nd Ukrainian Fronts, along the Dnepr, was dented by a well protected German salient. This was in the Kanev, Shpola and Zvenigorodka area near Cherkassey. The dense German grouping in the area had been caused by previous combat operations in the area. The strong force at the junction of the two Fronts created a threat to the Russian rear area. Although both Fronts had been fighting continuously for some time, the Stavka High Command urgently required the liquidation of this threat. Their plan was for 1st Ukrainian to attack from the west, and 2nd Ukrainian to attack from the east, with the two tank armies, 5th Gds and 6th Gds Tank Armies, meeting at the town of Zvenigorodka. This would pocket the Germans, and allow the rifle divisions following, to splinter, and destroy the encircled enemy forces. Of course, the Germans had different ideas, reacting swiftly to rescue the trapped divisions. [Size very large]