The Bridge at Kanev - The Matrix Games version of East Front II

Kanev, 100km SE of Kiev: [Best played as Axis] During their advance in 1943, the Soviet High Command did not make a single serious attempt to seize the huge bridge at Kanev on the Dnieper. Apparently the Soviets doubted their ability to pull off the same kind of operation against a vital river crossing that the Germans had repeatedly performed since the beginning of the war. Instead they did nothing of the kind, relying on their improvising skills to cross such watery obstacles without solid bridges. Unfortunately this took time and allowed the Germans to make good their escape and for the preparation of new defensive positions further west. This scenario examines the possibility of what might have happened if the Russians had used the 1st Guards Airborne Brigade in conjunction with a drive by the 51st Tank Brigade to seize the bridges at Kanev. Defending the bridges are elements of the 10th Panzergrenadier Division, holding open the only escape route for the retreating German divisions.