Orsha offensives (1943)

October 12 – November 19, 1943 · Vorsha

Result German defensive victory

The Red Army launched repeated autumn offensives toward the Belarusian rail and road hub of Orsha. German forces held the town and the Soviet attacks failed with heavy losses.

On the map Contemporaries

Soviet Union

Germany

Soviet Union

Germany

Vasily Sokolovsky military commander

Gotthard Heinrici military commander

Strength and losses

Casualties: 53,537

Casualties: 35,056

Units

144th Rifle Division 153rd Rifle Division (1943–1946) 157th Rifle Division 159th Rifle Division (1943–1946) 160th Rifle Division (1941 formation) 164th Rifle Division 199th Rifle Division 212th Rifle Division 220th Rifle Division 222nd Rifle Division 22nd Guards Rifle Division 247th Rifle Division 251st Rifle Division 30th Guards Rifle Division 331st Rifle Division 56th Guards Rifle Division 65th Guards Rifle Division 85th Guards Rifle Division 88th Rifle Division