Unity of Command II - Berlin 45. Hard Mode, Nikopol-Krivoy Rog #3

Conducted in parallel with the Korsun-Shevchenkovskiy Offensive and part of the Dnieper-Carpathian Strategic Offensive.

While Stavka was executing the Korsun encirclement in central Ukraine, it simultaneously launched a major operation farther south to eliminate the Nikopol bridgehead, the last German-held position east of the Dnieper. The two operations were deliberately synchronized to overstretch German reserves and prevent Army Group South from shifting forces between sectors.

The offensive began on 30 January 1944, just six days after the Korsun operation started. Soviet attacks struck the northern and southern shoulders of the Nikopol bridgehead, steadily compressing German positions rather than attempting an immediate encirclement.

By 8 February, Soviet forces had liberated Nikopol, forcing the Germans into a rapid withdrawal toward the Ingulets River. The second phase shifted northward against Krivoy Rog, which fell on 22 February after hard fighting.

The Germans had managed to avoid a large encirclement by executing an early withdrawal,however large quantities of artillery, vehicles, and supplies were abandoned