 After a prediction that the order to hold Kharkov would produce "another Stalingrad", on 14 August 1943 Manstein relieved Kempf and appointed General Otto Wöhler in his place.A few days later, Army Group Kempf was renamed the 8th Army.Kharkov now constituted a deep German salient to the east, which prevented the red army from making use of this vital traffic and supply centre.