Vilnius Offensive

The Vilnius Offensive (Russian: Вильнюсская наступательная операция) occurred as part of the third phase of Operation Bagration, the great summer offensive by the Red Army against the Wehrmacht in June and July, 1944. The Vilnius Offensive lasted from the 5th to the 13th of July 1944, and ended with a Soviet victory.

During the offensive, Soviet forces encircled and captured the city of Vilnius; this phase is sometimes referred to as the Battle of Vilnius. Some three thousand German soldiers of the encircled garrison managed to break out, including their commander, Rainer Stahel. After the offensive, the Vilnius or Wilno Region was liberated from Nazi occupation.

Read more about Vilnius Offensive:  Prelude, The Offensive, The Battle For Vilnius, Outcome

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