January 1944

Eastern Front

Hitler forces Kuchler to retire from command Army Group North following his unauthorized withdrawal order of January 28. Gen Model, commanding the 9th Army, is appointed to command Army Group North and is allocated 2 panzer divisions to halt the Soviet offensive. In fact, Model will carry out the withdrawal already ordered by Kuchler. Chudovo falls to the 54th Army and Novosokolniki to elements of the 1st Baltic Front.

The 13th and 60th Armies cross the Styr River, forcing back the thinly stretched LIX and XIII Corps.

Manstein tries to pull together his relief force as Group Stemmerman redeploys inside the pocket. Already the Soviets have thrown up strong inner and outer defense rings, ready for any break out or relief attempt. Renewed attacks by the 2nd Ukrainian Front hit Wohler's 8th Army, forcing the XLVII Panzer Corps out of Smela.