October 1941

Eastern Front

Following his failure to rush Tula, Guderian skirts east of the town, moving upon Dedilovo. He plans to let the supporting infantry clear Tula.

Manstein pushes deep into the Crimea as the Ishun defenses collapse. Soviet forces are in total disarray, many soldiers surrendering to the approaching German units and more fleeing to the rear, creating a rout on the roads leading south to Sevastopol.

As the situation at the front deteriorates, the Stavka activates the 56th Independent Army of the North Caucasus Front. The intention is to protect the approaches to Rostov and the road into the Caucasus.