October 1941

Eastern Front

Heavy snow falls during the night as the German and Soviet forces along the Volkhov begin new offensives. The Soviets deploy the 54th Army near Lake Ladoga and the 4th and 52nd Armies and the Novgorod Operational Group on the line of the Volkhov, in all a force of 135,700 men. For their attack the Germans concentrate the XXXIX Panzer Corps with 2 panzer and 1 motorized divisions, the I Corps with 3 divisions, both to attack along the Volkhov toward Volkhovsroy while the XXXVIII Corps attacks toward Malaya Vyshera to protect the southern wing of the salient.

The German attack strikes first, crashing into the junction of the 4th and 52nd Armies as elements drive forward upon Kirishi, Bodogosh, Thkhvin and Malaya Vyshera.

Fighting erupts at Volokolamsk. Panfilov's 316th Rifle Division attempts to stem a German attack by 2 infantry and the 29th Motorized and 2nd Panzer Divisions. The 110th Rifle Division is also heavily attacked.

The siege of Odessa ends after the successful evacuation of the remaining Soviet unts from the port. At 0200 hours the rearguards fall back to their final positions around the harbor and commence the destruction of the port facilities. Within a few hours these men had also been taken out of the city, leaving the blazing ruins to the Rumanians.

The Coastal Army and the Black Sea Fleet lose 16,578 killed and missing during the defense of Odessa, and a further 24,690 wounded.