October 1941

Eastern Front

The Soviets prepare to launch the second Sinyavino Operation to break the German stranglehold on Leningrad. The Leningrad Front has concentrated 8 rifle divisions among the 55th Army and the Neva Group, a force of 63,000 soldiers, 475 artillery pieces and 97 tanks. These men are to push east to link up with Kulik's 54th Army near Sinyavino. The Germans have 54,000 men facing the attack in strongly established positions.

Elements of the V Corps, holding the southern flank of the 9th Army, cross the Ruza River. Continuing their attacks on the Mozhaisk axis, German forces capture Borovsk, the Russians falling back upon Naro-Fominsk where ther 43rd Army is in defensive positions. Dorohov becomes a focal point of the Russian resistance on the road to the capital. Units of the 50th Rifle Division and the 20th and 22nd Tank Brigades defend the settlement.

Some 13,000 men of the battered 3rd Army break out of their encirclement at Dmitrov Lgovsky and rejoin the combat line near Ponyri.

Heavy fighting rages in Stalino as the 1st Division fights its way through the city.