rough44
Posts: 29
Joined: 2/2/2002
From: Toronto
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[B]Konev’s relentless attacks…[/B]
By the end of January 30th, Konev could be quite satisfied with his progress. The 4 Guards Army and the 5 Guards Cavalry Corps captured Vlasovok, cleared the switch line and were on the outskirts of Petropavlovka. More units were pouring towards Chicherkazovka in the hope of encircling the XLVII Panzer Korps fighting tough defensive battles in the forests around Shpola. The four German Panzer Divisions were a hard nut to crack for the intimidating 2nd Ukrainian Front. But despite constant counterattacks by the 5th SS “Viking” Panzer Division and the arrival of Tigers from the 506 Schwere Panzer Abteilung the Korps was giving ground every hour.
[IMG]http://www.nodejavu.com/KP/JAN30PM2.jpg[/IMG]
[B]…and Vatutin’s blunder.[/B]
In the morning of January 30th elements of the Soviet 40th Army finally breached the line of the VII Korps of the 1 Panzer Armee. After five days of incessant fighting, taking and retaking of Krutiye Gorby, 167th and 359th Infantry Divisions supported by 42/180 Infantry regiment and 9/5 Mechanized crushed the stubborn infantry of the 326/198 ID.
At the same time the bulk of the strong Soviet 5 Mechanized Corps supported by 38 Infantry Division south of the Gniloy Tikich river dislodged the elite 253/88 Infantry Regiment. It seemed that Vatutin finally opened the road to Medvin and ultimately Lysyanka.
[IMG]http://www.nodejavu.com/KP/JAN30AM1.jpg[/IMG]
As the beaten 198th Infantry Division yielded ground and finally abandoned Krutiye Gorby a gap in the German front began to form on both banks of Gniloy Tikich. A single rushed assault gun battalion and an artillery regiment held the last bridge before Lysyanka linking the VII and XLII Korps.
Next day, Vatutin, hungry of advances to match Konev’s success, ordered the 58th Infantry Division covering his southern flank to move up and follow 5 Mechanized Corps. Unfortunatelly, General Kravchenko, commander of the 6th Tank Army insisted that the 5 Guards Tank Corps which has never regained its strength since the battle has began be finally moved out of the line to rest and reinforce. Vatutin agreed.
To Manstein that was an opportunity he could not pass by. The veteran 75th and 34th Infantry Divisions were still largely holding to its original fortified positions just south of Votylevka. Also the Tichonovka pocket was finally reduced freeing two assault gun battalions, motorized infantry regiment and several nebelwerfer units.
VII Korps struck from the south at a single 335th regiment of the 58th Infantry Division and an anti-aircraft gun battalion at Votylevka and succeeded. Before noon the entire 58th Infantry Division was destroyed and 5 Mechanized Corps was trapped.
[IMG]http://www.nodejavu.com/KP/JAN31AM.jpg[/IMG]
In the afternoon the weak but much needed 5 Guards Tank Corps counterattacked and opened up a small hole in the German ring. But it was a case of “too little, too late”. Within hours the 5 Guards were also trapped. Before nightfall General Kravchenko’s 6th Tank Army was annihilated.
With 1st Ukrainian Front disintegrating first units of the III Panzer Korps could be safely sent east to stem Konev…
How fast will Vatutin recuperate? Can Konev bring a decisive blow? Manstein pondered…
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Annihilation of 6th Tank Army - 
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