July 1944

Eastern Front

With the Soviet armies fast approaching the Germans begin the evacuation of second echelon personnel from Minsk, 8,000 wounded and 12,000 ausiliaries being moved west.

Heavy fighting rages on the Berezina, the 31st and 267th Infantry Divisions attempting to hold open a line of retreat for the 4th Army. Despite the threat posed by the 11th Guards and 5th Guards Tank Armies around Borisov, the XXVII Corps gets most of its men across near Zhukovets while the XXXIX and XII Corps cross at Berezino. Soviet forces continue or push forward, trying to get behind the German army and encircle it before it can reach Minsk. Leading tanks enter Tschweren.