Vilnius Breakout ETO (id:#65431)

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Vilnius, Lithuania 1944-07-13 (5 others)

Overview:

The major Soviet Bagration Operation began on 23 June 1944; within days massive Soviet forces had broken the German defensive lines and had encircled and destroyed much of Army Group Center. By 4 July, exploiting Soviets units had encircled Minsk and the remaining elements of the German Fourth Army. Directly west of this penetration stood the strategically important city of Vilnius. The Germans hastily threw together what forces they could in Vilnius and placed GenMaj Ranier Stahel in command. As Soviet forces from the 5th Guards Tank Army approached the city, the Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa (AK)) initiated a major attack on 7 July. This attack (Operation Ostra Brama) was part of the larger Polish national uprising (Operation Tempest) and intended to take advantage of supposed German confusion and to establish Polish control of the city in coordination with the advancing Soviets. From 7 July to 12 July 1944, the Germans tenaciously fought both Polish partisans and Soviets house-to-house within the city. By 11 July, the Vilnius garrison was severely weakened by the long and heavy fighting and it was clear to 3rd Panzer Army that the Vilnius position was untenable. On 12 July, 6th Panzer Division attacked to the east toward Vilnius while during the night of 12/13 July, GenMaj Stahel led his remaining men in a breakout attempt to the west.

Defender: Russian and Polish Partisans (35th Guards Tank Brigade, 3rd Mechanized Guards Corps, 3rd Tank Army and Group North, Vilnius Armia Krajowa)  

Errata (source)