OKH Lage Ost Map 31.01.1944

15 enemy tanks around #Meshigorka, setting the stage for the main assault planned for the next day. 11. and 13.PzDiv planned to converge and cross the Shpolka River west of #Shpola, aiming to alleviate Soviet pressure on Gruppe Stemmermann. | OKH Lage Ost Map 31.01.1944

#OTD 1944 #Korsun | Following the secure connection of the 2nd Ukrainian Front to its spearheads at Zvenigorodka, attention shifted to surrounding German units. 5th GCC stationed at #Shpola, was directed towards #Burty and #Olshana, supported by RflDivs on the right 77/X

#OTD 1944 #Korsun | On the 28th January, 20th TC's leading units departed from #Shpola towards #Zvenigorodka, encountering minimal resistance along the way. German commanders assessed #Zvenigorodka as nearly lost, prompting 8.Armee's Chief-of-Staff to urgently inform 51/X

#OTD 1944 #Korsun | At dawn, 8th GTB and 155th TB supported by recce units, initiated a rapid advance towards #Shpola, encountering minimal resistance due to the town's weak defences. By 1000hrs Soviet forces had seized control of the town, marking a significant penetration 38/X

Upon breaching the German front line, 5th GTA would advance towards the base of the salient, seizing #Shpola and #Zvenigoradka in order to sever German lines of communication to the salient. This should establish linking up with 6th TA under Vatutin's 1st Ukrainian Front 6/X

personally endorsed by Stalin himself, emphasised the objectives being achieved swiftly. The convergence point for the two fronts was designated to be in the proximity of #Shpola and #Zvenigorodka, Ukrainian towns crucial for the success of the operation. The primary 2/X