Bagration 1944: The Great Soviet Offensive

To coincide with the Allied landings in Normandy, Soviet Prime Minister Joseph Stalin promised a large, concentrated attack against German positions in Russia. Launched on June 22, 1944, Operation Bagration achieved large-scale breakthroughs along a broad front in Belarus. Military historian Buttar (Hero City: Leningrad 1943–1944) expertly captures the mammoth clash between the Germans and Soviets in this crucial battle. German units lacked sufficient equipment and people, while the Soviets quietly moved large amounts of artillery and units into place for a summer offensive. The Soviets decided to attack the center of the German lines along the Belarusian front between the Dvina and Dnieper Rivers. Building upon hard-won experience, the Soviets displayed a new level of tactical sophistication over earlier operations, effectively combining artillery, air support, and infantry movements. In a remarkable display of speed and agility, Soviet forces smashed through German positions and achieved their objectives ahead of schedule. The book’s detailed maps will help readers visualize the front as the battle progressed on nearly a daily basis.