July 1944

Eastern Front

After a fierce battle the 5th Army takes Vilnius, more than 7,000 of the 15,000 strong garrison having fallen during the fighting. The 11th Guards Army crosses the Niemen River at Alytus. German counter-attacks are beaten off with some difficulty.

Koniev launches his offensive without arty preparation. The 60th and 38th Armies attack the center and right of Hauffe's XIII Corps near Brody. Simultaneously the 13th Army begins a furious attack against the left wing of the XIII Corps and break through near Radekhov. Soon after the 38th Army breaks through near Zolochev. On either flank of the assault the XLVI and XLVIII Panzer Corps counterattack but are hit by the 3rd Guards and 1st Guards Armies.