October 1943

Eastern Front

Fighting flares up around Vitebsk as the 43rd Army drives a deep salient in the junction of IX and LIII Corps. The LIII Corps, recently moved to reinforce this sector, fights around the town. On the southern flank of Army Group Center the Central Front crosses the Dniepr near Loyev and gains a significant bridgehead.

Inconclusive fighting continues at Veliki Bukrin as the Stavka considers calling off the attack. With the Lyutezh bridgehead now established to the north, the Soviets will be able to turn the northern wing of Army Group South, but it will take time to redeploy forces into this sector. Farther south the 8th Army and 1st Panzer Army are forced back as the Steppe and Southwest Fronts exploit the hole blown in the German line. Forward elements of the Steppe Front push toward Krivoi Rog.