Operation Barbarossa
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| Operation Sealion 1940 German invasion of England |
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| Operation Barbarossa > Battles > Battle of Smolensk |
Battle of Smolensk
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The battle took place in the region of the city of Smolensk and last for two months between July 10th and September 10th 1941.
The German forces involved were principally the 2nd Panzer Group (Panzergruppe 2) and the 3rd Panzer Group (Panzergruppe 3). Meanwhile, the Soviet Red Army formations involved included the Western Front, the Soviet Central Front, the Soviet Bryansk Front, and the the Soviet Reserve Front.
The Soviets fought fiercely, but ultimately the Soviet 16th, 19th and the 20th Armies were encircled and destroyed, with approximately 300,000 Soviet troops eventually being taken prisoner. It should be noted however that significant numbers of troops from the 19th and 20th Armies did however manage to escape encirclement.
Although the Soviet forces ultimately lost the Battle of Smolensk, the result of the battle was nevertheless important: it caused a 2 month delay in the German advance towards Moscow, as well as greatly weakening the German forces heading towards the city.
