October 1943

Eastern Front

The XL Panzer Corps launches a fierce counterattack near Krivoi Rog. It strikes the 5th Guards Tank Army in an effort to prevent the capture of the town. A week of bitter fighting ensues, which succeeds in halting the Soviet drive.

The German 6th Army begins to recross the Dniepr at Nikopol. However, the XLIV Corps has the farthest to go, having to cross at Kherson to prevent the Soviets from crossing near the mouth of the river. The units of the XLIV are severely reduced, its 73rd Infantry Division have just 170 combat infantry and the 111th only 200. The 6th Army also only has 25 operational tanks and assault guns.