July 1941

Eastern Front

Fighting continues in Estonia as Kuchler's 18th Army relentlessly batters Ivanov's 8th Army. On the line of the Luga, the LOG is deactivated, its forces continuing to operate in its three separate groupings.

The 6th and 12th Armies continue to fight on inside their ever-decreasing pocket. In an effort to finally close the circle around the Soviet forces, Kleist orders the XLVIII Panzer Corps to push on to Pervomaisk. In turn the 17th Army moves the XLIX Mountain Corps to the southeast, inadvertantly opening an escape route up to the Soviet armies. Unfortunately, they fail to take it.

In Moldavia, the XXX Corps continues to attack, pushing a wedge between the 18th and 9th Armies. Heavy fighting rages at Balta as the II Cavalry Corps is outflanked.

As he delivers one of his regular report Zhukov clashes with Stalin over the need to hold on to Kiev. Accusing Zhukov of talking nonsense, Stalin dismisses his deuty, but at Zhukov's own request, keeps him on active service, appointing hime commander of the Reserve Front. Shaposhnikov is appointed Chief of the General Staff in place of Zhukov. Zhukov advises Stalin to withdraw Kirponos' Southwest Front behind the Dniepr and abandon Kiev. Stalin states this was rubbish, prompting Zhukove to give up his post as Chief of the General Staff. Despite being demoted to commander of the Reserve Front, Zhukov retains his membership on the board of Stavka.