Air Operations, Mediterranean
The British carry out air raids on Catania and Syracuse. Italian sources say that 18 are killed and 25 injured in Catania.
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]Atlantic
During the next week, 8 German and 3 Italian submarines make repeated, but unsuccessful, attempts to attack Convoy HG-69 northwest of Gibraltar.
[ | ]Diplomatic Relations
- Stalin broadcasts his acceptance of a proposed meeting in Moscow with Churchill and Roosevelt.
- The British and Soviet government send a protest note about German infiltration of Iran.
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Eastern Front
NORTHERN SECTORThe Soviet Luga line has been shattered by the XLI and the LVI Panzer Corps, forcing the Red Army to abandon Kingisepp and retreat to Garchina. The German I and the XXVIII Corps force the 48th Army out of Novgorod.
German Plan to Break the Luga Line |
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| The Germans planned to break the Luga line with three attacks. The 41st Panzer Corps was to attack northwards from the Kingisepp bridgehead, the 56th Panzer Corps would attack north-eastwards from Luga, and 1st and 28th Infantry Corps would attack (the Soviet 48th Army) northwards parallel to the Volkhov River. The 39th Panzer Corps from Army Group Centre was still in the early stages of relocating to the Luga area: it would have to move from the Yartsevo area (over 280 miles away) and would not be available until 24th August. This is especially paradoxical when one considers that the 39th Panzer Corps was being ordered to move mostly using its own motorised transport on poor roads while Moscow was only around 220 miles away on better roads! The Germans launched their attack along the Luga line on the 8th and 9th of August, while 16th Army attacked south of Lake Ilmen on 10th August. All along the front the fighting was fierce and only 41st Panzer Corps (at Kingisepp) made much progress. By 14th August the Kingisepp bridgehead (defences) had started to collapse, by 16th August 41st Panzer Corps had broken out, and on 17th August Narva was captured. By 20th August 41st Panzer Corps (now reinforced with the 8th Panzer Division) and 18th Army had isolated the main elements of the Soviet’s Luga Operational Group and trapped 30 000 men. The remnants of the Luga Operational Group contained 9 divisions (including a tank division): the fact that the average division was down to regimental strength (around 3 300 men each) is an indication of the fierce fighting in this sector, the tenacity of the Soviet defenders, and the speed with which the German Army could wear down even a dug in enemy force. |
The newly formed Soviet Bryansk Front engages in heavy fighting with the 2nd Panzer Group and the 2nd Army in the areas or Konotop and Chernigov.
SOUTHERN SECTORBudenny signals the Stavka that he requires the re-adjustment of the line in order to prevent the destruction of his armies. He recommends the withdrawal of the right wing and formation of a front reserve. Stalin in turn orders the withdrawal of all Southwest Front units behind the line of the Dniepr, with the exception of Vlassov's 37th Army, which is to cover the approaches to Kiev between Loyev and Perevochna. Potapov's 5th Army, isolated in the Pripet Marshes, is also to fall back across the Dniepr and Desna Rivers to rejoin the main combat line.
[ | ]Soviet Union, Strategy
On receiving news from Budenny about his perilous position, Stalin orders the Southwestern Front to withdraw behind the Dnieper, except the 37th Army, which will protect the approaches to Kiev.
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