43_1120_03 Springboard from Zhitomir to Radomyshyl - PzC 25 Kiev '43

Date: November 20, 1943 - Size: Medium - Location: Zhitomir, 142 kms west of Kiev

Intended for Head to Head play or Solo play as the Axis side vs. AI

For Solo victory conditions please consult the "Kiev-43_Solo-Vic-Cond.pdf" document

Scenario Briefing: Following the capture of Zhitomir, the Germans had to busy themselves with cleaning up two pockets of Russian forces of the 60th Army (30th and 202nd Rifle Divisions) that had been encircled during the fighting. However, on the left flank, north of Zhitomir, they sent the 7th and 8th Panzer Divisions forward to crack the Russian line. While the weather had worsened, the armored forces made great progress such that the Russian command had to detach mechanized forces from the 3rd Guards Tank Army to reinforce the 60th Army's position.

With more of the 60th Army advancing from the north to help the beleaguered defenders, the Russians could only try and hold out before help arrived. Formations that had been terribly weakened during the fighting for Zhitomir cracked and became "hors de combat" for the campaign.

However, once the bulk of the reinforcements arrived, it became obvious that the Germans had shot their bolt. Along with the time lost in cleaning up the remnants of the two Russian divisions, the Germans were showing just how brittle their forces were at this stage of the offensive. Having retaken Zhitomir, they would have to be content with having driven the Russians back from the city. For now Zhitomir was safe.