Deleted member 1487
Having started a book on the subject, it seemed like an interesting what if given that the pocket helped collapse the front in Ukraine and opened Romania up to invasion in Spring.
What if instead of obeying Hitler unconditionally Manstein disobeyed orders and pulled the German 8th army out of bulge it was in around Korsun/Cherkassy, shortening the line and ensuring that the army couldn't be easily pocketed?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Korsun–Cherkassy_Pocket
How much does it slow the Soviet advance in the region in 1944, what do they do instead, and does Manstein get sacked over authorizing the retreat?
What if instead of obeying Hitler unconditionally Manstein disobeyed orders and pulled the German 8th army out of bulge it was in around Korsun/Cherkassy, shortening the line and ensuring that the army couldn't be easily pocketed?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Korsun–Cherkassy_Pocket
How much does it slow the Soviet advance in the region in 1944, what do they do instead, and does Manstein get sacked over authorizing the retreat?