Polotsk offensive

Polotsk offensive
Part of Operation Bagration

Soviet soldiers at Polotsk
DateJune 29, 1944 – July 4, 1944
Location
Result Soviet Victory
Belligerents
 Germany  Soviet Union
Commanders and leaders
Nazi Germany Georg-Hans Reinhardt
(Third Panzer Army)
Nazi Germany Rolf Wuthmann
(IX Corps)
Soviet Union Hovhannes Bagramyan
(1st Baltic Front)
Strength
? ?
Casualties and losses
37,000 dead, 7,000 POW (Soviet est)[1] ?

The Polotsk offensive (Russian: Полоцкая наступательная операция) was part of the second phase of the Belorussian strategic offensive of the Red Army in summer 1944, commonly known as Operation Bagration.

The Soviet First Baltic Front successfully pursued the retreating remnants of the German Third Panzer Army back towards Polotsk, which was reached by 1 July. German forces attempted to organise a defense using rear-area support units and several divisions hurriedly transferred from Army Group North.

Units of the 1st Baltic Front's 4th Shock Army and 6th Guards Army fought their way into the city over the next few days, and successfully cleared it of German forces by 4 July.

  1. ^ Glantz, p.117

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