The slow destruction of the German Army started in Stalingrad, North Afrika and the Crimea, and picked up momentum when six divisions were trapped in the Korsun-Cherkassy Pocket. It was a large battle. One third of the German Forces involved were wiped out and the rest lost most of their tanks, artillery and other equipment. The Russian 1st Ukranian Army overwhelmed the Germans destroying two army corps in the process. This battle was another of Hitler’s no retreat directives.