January 1944

Eastern Front

Leading elements of the 42nd and 2nd Shock Armies of the Leningrad Front reach the Luga River, behind which the Germans plan to make a stand. The mechanization of the Soviet forces has enabled them to outpace the 18th Army. The fighting since January 14 has cost the German 18th Army 20,000 casualties.

The 3rd and 4th Ukrainian Fronts renew their attacks against Hollidt's 6th Army, this time the main assault being launched by the 46th and 8th Guards Armies of the 3rd Ukrainian front from the Krivoi Rog area, the 37th and 6th Armies supporting to the right and left. To the south the 5th Shock Army, 3rd Guards and 28th Armies of the 4th Ukrainian attack the Nikopol bridgehad. In all the Soviets commit 257,000 combat infantry to the attack, supported by 1,400 tanks.

Hollidt, with 47,000 combat infantry and 250 tanks between the IV and XVII Corps in the bridgehead, the XXIX Corps around Berislav and the XXX Corps north of Nikopol, with the LVII Panzer Corps in mobile reserve, is unable to hold off these new Soviet attacks. Fretter Pico's XXX Corps is struck hard by the 8th Guards and 46th Armies and comes close to collapse.