November 1943

Eastern Front

During a day of heavy fighting and wet weather, the 4th Panzer is unable to hold back the torrent of Soviet attacks and begins to crumble. Rybalko's 3rd Guards Tank Army strikes the breach in the German line made by the 38th Army. Panic spreads, hearlding the collapse of resistance around the bridgehead, the VII and XIII Corps disintegrating under the weight of the Soviet offensive. Soviet forces rapidly envelop the German positions, compelling the 4th Panzer Army to begin a hurried evacuation from the city. To the south the 2nd Guards Army attacks the XLIV Corps at Kherson but is unable to break through the German line.