October 1943

Eastern Front

The 3rd and 4th Shock Armies of the Kalinin front launch new attacks against the junction of Army Groups Center and North. The main weight of the attack falls upon Luftwaffe field divisions of the II Luftwaffe Corps on the left wing of the 3rd Panzer Army. A rapid Soviet advance leads to the early capture of Nevel during the afternoon, severing communications between groups North and Center.

Fighting in the Lyutezh bridgehead rages unabated as the Soviets fend off constant counterattacks by the XIII and LIX Corps. The latter units have been brought down from the Central Sector to reinforce the weak left wing of Army Group South. Only once Soviet armored units are brought up is the bridgehead strengthened significantly.