German planning Battle of the Dnieper




army group south erich von manstein


the order construct dnieper defence complex, known eastern wall , issued on 11 august 1943 , began executed.


fortifications erected along length of dnieper. however, there no hope of completing such extensive defensive line in short time available. therefore, completion of eastern wall not uniform in density , depth of fortifications. instead, concentrated in areas soviet assault-crossing attempted, such near kremenchuk, zaporizhia , nikopol.


additionally, on 7 september 1943, ss forces , wehrmacht received orders implement scorched earth policy, stripping areas had abandon of used soviet war effort.


german organisation

2nd army - walter weiß
luftflotte 2 (selected units) - wolfram freiherr von richthofen
(in ukraine) army group south - erich von manstein

4th panzer army - hermann hoth
1st panzer army - eberhard von mackensen
8th army - otto wohler
6th army - karl-adolf hollidt
luftflotte 4 - wolfram freiherr von richthofen / otto deßloch (since september)


(in crimea) army group - ewald von kleist

17th army - jaenecke








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