August 1941

Eastern Front

The Finns form the I Corps, which will consist of the 7th, 19th and 2nd Infantry Divisions, to destroy the Soviet units fighting on the shores of Lake Ladoga.

In heavy rain, Army Group North resumes its offensive toward Leningrad but the once fluid line has, after a month of inactivity, been solidified. The XLI Panzer Corps launches its attack from the lower Luga at 0800 hours with the XXXVIII Corps in support.

The Germans plan to advance from the Luga in three groups. The northern group, consisting of the XLI Panzer and XXXVIII Corps, attacks from the Kingisepp bridgehead toward Leningrad, while the Luga group, comprising the LVI Panzer Corps, is to attack on the direct road through Luga toward Leningrad. The southern group, the I and XXVIII Corps, is to attack the 48th Army along the Schimsk-Novgorod-Chudovo axis. On the extreme left, the 18th Army is to complete the conquest of Estonia while the 16th Army defeats the 11th, 34th, 27th and 22nd Armies along the Staraya Russa-Velikiye Luki line with its X, II, L and XXIII Corps and then push into the Valdai hills. The Stavka, expecting a German attack south of Lake Ilmen, order the 48th, 34th, 11th and 27th Armies to strike at the 16th Army.

At Tallinn the Germans begin to lay down artillery fire upon the city. Soviet warships situated in the harbor mount counter-battery fire.

Guderian concludes the fighting near Roslavl as the encircled elements of the 28th Army surrender, 38,000 prisoners falling into German hands. A further 200 tanks and 200 artillery pieces have been destroyed or captured. The remnants of the 28th limp east to fight another day.

The 2nd Army begins an offensive around Gomel, aiming to destroy the 21st Army and open the junction of the Southwest Front.

Fighting on the northern wing of Army Group South dies down as the 5th Army abandons its attacks at Malin. The German XVII Corps counterattacks and captures Korosten, then goes on the defensive.

The Germans complete the destruction of the Uman pocket. Yet another Soviet force has been destroyed. Over 103,000 men march into German captivity, leaving behind 300 tanks and 800 artillery pieces. Among the prisoners are Gens Ponedelin and Muzychenko.

With the final destruction of the Uman grouping, the 18th and 9th Armies begin a wholesale flight to the Southern Bug.