Result Soviet victory | Location Nikopol, Ukraine | |
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Similar Donbass Strategic Offensive, World War II, Uman–Botoșani Offensive, Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive, Zhitomir–Berdichev Offensive | ||
The Nikopol-Krivoy Rog Offensive was an offensive of the Red Army against the German forces during World War II.
Contents
It took place from 30 January to 29 February 1944. Troops of the 3rd and 4th Ukrainian Fronts defeated German troops in the Nikopol-Krivoy Rog area, capturing the Nikopol bridgehead on the Dnieper. Nikopol and Krivoy Rog were captured by Soviet troops. The offensive was part of the Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive. When Nikopol and Krivoy Rog were captured, a 224-gun, 20-salvo artillery salute was given in Moscow.
Situation
The area of Nikopol has rich deposits of manganese, used in Germany for the production of high-strength steel. Hitler repeatedly stressed the crucial importance of this area: "As Nikopol manganese, its importance to us all can not be expressed in words. Loss of Nikopol (on the Dnieper, the south-west of Zaporozhye) would mean the end of war. "In addition, the bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnieper left the German command a strike in order to restore the land connection with the group of forces locked in the Crimea.
During the first half of January, Soviet troops made repeated attempts to eliminate the Nikopol-Krivoy Rog enemy group, but because of the stubborn resistance of German troops did not achieve success.
Soviet Union
3rd Ukrainian Front
Part forces of the 4th Ukrainian Front
Total 705 000, 7796 guns and mortars, 238 tanks and self-propelled guns, 1333 aircraft
Germany
Part of the forces of the Army Group South (commanded by Field Marshal Erich von Manstein).
Total 540 000, 2416 guns and mortars, 327 tanks and assault guns, and 700 aircraft