Creating the Smolensk Pocket - The Matrix Games version of East Front II

Kordymowa, 15km NE of Smolensk: [Best played versus Human or Team 2 + 3]: On July 16th, 1941 Smolensk fell to the XLVII Corps. A few days later, XLVI Corps captured Yelnia. To the north, Hoth's panzers were engaged in encircling the city of Smolensk, trapping three Russian Armies. At the spearhead of the attack was the 7. Panzer Division. The Ghost Division advanced relentlessly since the beginning of the invasion of Russia and had reached the Smolensk-Moscow highway early in the day on July 21st, 1941. Guderian was anxious to assist in closing the trap and visited XLVI Corps with orders to make contact with the 7. Panzer Division. The task was given to the SS Das Reich Division. With reconnaissance elements in the lead, the division headed north, to cross the Dnepr and make contact with the 7. Panzer Division. This task would be the cause of grief thanks to the defensive fighting caused by the 52nd Rifle Corps that was holding the line. With news of the 7. Panzer Division cutting the only highway link between Smolensk and reinforcements from Moscow, the 24th Army and the Armies trapped now in Smolensk used their mobile forces, including tanks, armoured cars and mobilized infantry, to break the roadblock. [2.04 UPDATE]