June 20 Italy, UMBRIA The British XXX Corps opens its attack on the Albert Line, one of a series of German rearguard positions in northern Italy, south of Lake Trasimeno on either side of Chiusi. The fighting is hard; the Germans give ground grudgingly. June 22 Politics, Germany Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop visits Helsinki to try to tie Finland more tightly to Germany. Far East, India The British 2nd Division reach the defenders of Imphal, but Japanese resistance continues. June 22-26 Far East, Burma The Chindits' 77th Brigade begins attacking Mogaung from the southeast. Following bitter fighting, it finally falls on the 26th. June 23 Eastern Front, BELORUSSIA The Red Army launches its Belorussian offensive. Four Fronts - 1st Baltic, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Belorussian, comprising 1.2 million men in all - attack the German divisions of Army Group Center. The Soviets have a four-to-one superiority in tanks and aircraft. June 26 Western Front, France The British launch Operation Epsom, a drive west of Caen. Troops and tanks of the 15th, 43rd, and 11th Armored Divisions make good initial progress, but are then halted following very heavy losses. prev | next |