alternatehistory.com

According to Wiki:

The Lower Dnieper Offensive took place in 1943 during the Second World War. It was one of the largest Second World War operations, involving almost 4,000,000 troops on both sides and stretching on a 1400 kilometer long front.

[During this four-month operation, the eastern bank of the Dnieper was recovered from German forces by five of the Red Army's Fronts, which conducted several river assault crossings to establish several bridgeheads on the western bank. Subsequently, Kyiv was liberated in a separate offensive.

One of the costliest operations of the war, the casualties are estimated at being from 1,700,000 to 2,700,000 on both sides.

The defence did hinge on the Wotan (Panther) line.

As it was never really finished (or even really begun, it was a hopeles position.

NOW: Could it have stopped Soviet forces at all? or at least slowed them down and for how long?

Was it even a feasible proposition? it could still be out-flanked, but it was strong at key-points.

Hitler was not keen on building fortifications in the rear, fearing that it would be an invitation for withdrawing forces.

Were the resources there? The Atlantic West wall did take resources after all?

Was Manstein in a position to deliver another recovery s he did in March 1943?

If, as mentioned, the casualty figures for this period were as high, was this the real "death knell" to German man-power, more than Stalingrad and Kursk?

Ivan
Top