AAR 5

In the fall of 1943 the Russian Red Army had the invincible German Army on the run. The Germans rushed to fall back to the Dnepr River in order to fortify a defense against the charging Red Army. The battle between the two forces along the Dnepr River was a major battle in the history of World War II. The United States Military Academy Preparatory School Military History Club hosted a seminar on the battle of Kanev, on the Dnepr River on the 10th to the 13th of February. The purpose of this seminar was to recreate the battle along the river and to provide a learning atmosphere of military tactics in a wargame atmosphere. The participants in the seminar included Cadets from West Point, VMI, and the West Point Prep schools. Other guests during the seminar included ROTC students from the University of Connecticut and Midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy.

Preparation for the battle began three days before the start of the Kanev campaign. Students were assigned staff positions and, tasked with the mission to prepare an operation order for the battle of Kanev. The plan consisted of a five paragraph operational order describing the situation, mission, execution, supply logistics, and command of the entire battle. The Soviet plan (code-named: operation Marturn) called for the 3rd Guards Tank Army to advance on Kanev and for half of the 40th Army to move on Rzichechev. 2 BDE of the 8th Airborne Corps would jump into a blocking position at Tulinzy- Potaspy. The battle turned in the favor of the Russians when the mostly intact 8th Airborne Corp and the 3GTA arrived at Kanev at the same time and began a two-sided battle against the Germans. The 8th Airborne Corps attacked the Germans from the West Side of the River while the 3GTA attacked from the East Side of the river. While the battle was raging in Kanev, the 40th Army was able to put down German resistance and cross the Dnepr River between the towns of Peraslav and Guzensky. The 40th Army was able to attack the Germans western flank without heavy resistance. Due to the expert planning and tactical expertise of everyone involved the Russian Army won the battle.

During the seminar the Cadet Candidates from the West Point Prep school experienced many valuable lessons. The CCs were taught valuable lessons in communications skills because each CC took part in an operational brief. During the brief each CC communicated their part of the overall mission to several group commanders. The CCs also received a taste of how confusing and disorganized things could be during the planning of a mission. The CCs were forced to work together with different shops in order to put together a clearer picture of the mission. For future seminars I would like to suggest that a Tactical Operations Cell (TOC) atmosphere be maintained throughout the entire battle. CCs were able to witness how a military staff works to plan a mission, but were not able to see how a staff operates while a mission is under way. Maintaining a TOC during the battle will show CCs what the atmosphere is like during the battle and give them further experience in the areas of communication and decision making process.

The entire weekend was a success and many CCs gained invaluable knowledge in military history and in military tactics. Personally I enjoyed the planning part of the weekend more than the actual tactical movement side of the campaign. I would like to participate in another campaign if the opportunity was available to show the staff side of a battle during the actual conflict.