Vorskla-Ssamara battle: AGS Kessel at the Dnipropetrovsk bridgehead

[TheMarcksPlan]

In doing some research I came across this AGS document at T311 R257 F415:



What are Vorskla and Ssamara? ...thought I.

They're two left Dniepr tributaries marking the rough boundaries of a battle I've never seen discussed in English-language sources. Usually the 106k PoW described above are attributed to the AGS battle called "Azov Sea," "Nogai Steppe," or "Chernigovka."

As can be seen on OKH maps, however, Vorskla-Samara is a distinct battle in which PzGr1 drove from its outer Kiev-encircling position into the rear of the Soviet forces containing the Dnipropetrovsk bridgehead:

September 25:




September 26:




September 27:



September 28:





The battle looks so rapid on a map that it seems more like an over-running than a Kessel, which usually required more than 2 days for encircled forces to be destroyed. It appears that only a handful of Soviet divisions opposed PzGr1 plus German infantry in the Dnepropetrovsk bridgehead. I haven't done similar research on the Soviet side though.

Vorksla-Samara had about as many PoW as other medium Kessels that often get listed as separate battles (Velikiy Luki, Demyansk, Mogilev, Roslavl).

It may be featured in Russian/German secondary sources that I haven't read but GSWW v.4, for instance, doesn't mention it.

[Art]

Previously, on AHF:
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=251505
viewtopic.php?f=75&t=190173

As far as German sources are concerned, "Vom Bug zum Kaukasus" by Mackensen includes a brief account on this action.

[TheMarcksPlan]

Previously, on AHF:
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=251505
viewtopic.php?f=75&t=190173

As far as German sources are concerned, "Vom Bug zum Kaukasus" by Mackensen includes a brief account on this action.

Thanks Art. Didn't expect Italian sources to be the most detailed on the battle but makes sense. Seems like Pasubio mostly cleaned up the pocket around Perikowka after XIV Mot.Korps had blown through?

[Kelvin]

In doing some research I came across this AGS document at T311 R257 F415:



What are Vorskla and Ssamara? ...thought I.

They're two left Dniepr tributaries marking the rough boundaries of a battle I've never seen discussed in English-language sources. Usually the 106k PoW described above are attributed to the AGS battle called "Azov Sea," "Nogai Steppe," or "Chernigovka."

As can be seen on OKH maps, however, Vorskla-Samara is a distinct battle in which PzGr1 drove from its outer Kiev-encircling position into the rear of the Soviet forces containing the Dnipropetrovsk bridgehead:

September 25:




September 26:




September 27:



September 28:





The battle looks so rapid on a map that it seems more like an over-running than a Kessel, which usually required more than 2 days for encircled forces to be destroyed. It appears that only a handful of Soviet divisions opposed PzGr1 plus German infantry in the Dnepropetrovsk bridgehead. I haven't done similar research on the Soviet side though.

Vorksla-Samara had about as many PoW as other medium Kessels that often get listed as separate battles (Velikiy Luki, Demyansk, Mogilev, Roslavl).

It may be featured in Russian/German secondary sources that I haven't read but GSWW v.4, for instance, doesn't mention it.

Hi, TheMarcksPlan, your document is great, and settle my confusion that how 106000 pow from so called the battle of Azov.

I see you another question to me about Nikolayev pocket, about 60000 POW, about 8 Soviet divisions, but I think 60000 is too large, maybe like you guest, they mixed up with other minor battle, I see when LAH entered Nikolayev, they took 4200 POW.