Yelnya Offensive - Soviet Planning

Soviet Planning

On August 26 Stavka ordered the 24th Army of the Reserve Front, led by Marshal Georgy Zhukov, to start an offensive beginning August 30 against the salient. The intent of this offensive was to assault the bases of the salient, with the 102nd Tank and 303rd Rifle divisions forming the outer front of the encirclement, and the 107th, 100th Rifle divisions of the northern pincer and 106th Mechanized Rifle division of the southern pincer forming the inner front of the encirclement. Supporting the 106th in the south was the 303rd Rifle Division. Containing the salient in the central (eastern) sector of the offensive were the 19th and 309th Rifle Divisions. The 103rd Motorized and 120th Rifle divisions were deployed n the northern and southern sides of the salient in heavily fortified field positions to prevent possible routes of escape by the German divisions. The 24th Army was allocated only 20 aircraft for reconnaissance and correction of artillery fire for the operation, with no dedicated fighter or strike support.