Combat operations of the Soviet and German troops in the Azov floodplains in February - September 1943

Introduction. The article is devoted to the battles between Soviet and German troops in the Azov floodplains in February- September 1943. This little-studied page in the historyof the Battle of the Caucasus 1942- 1943, which was marked by prolonged military operations in hard-to-reach areas. Methods and materials. The aim of the publication was a comprehensive study of the Soviet-German confrontation in the Azov floodplains on the basis of historical comparative and historical evolutionary methods. The main sources for the study were Soviet and German war journals, operational reports and accounts. Most of these operational documents had not previously been introduced into scientific circulation. Along with them, the recollections of combatants from both sides were used. Analysis. The author identified three stages of the Soviet-German confrontation in the Azov floodplains. It was analyzed decisions of the Soviet and German command, the features of the tactics of the troops, their composition, combat training and the supply level. Results. The author concluded that units of the Red Army several times tried to use the area of the Azov floodplains to enter the German troops, their subsequent encirclement and defeat. This goal was not achieved, but the active actions of the Soviet North Caucasian Front diverted part of the 17th German Army’s forces.