August 18
Eastern Front, Ukraine
Soviet forces in the Ukraine begin withdrawing across the strategically-important Dniepr River to form a defensive line farther north - the Bryansk Front - leaving the Thirty-fifth Army in Kiev.

Hitler plans to trap and then destroy the bulk of the Red Army before it retreats across the Dniepr. To achieve this the Germans have to make wide encirclements to trap Soviet units. This move, however, creates large gaps through which Red Army troops can escape east.

British forces move into Iran to safeguard
oil supplies inside the country

August 21
Sea War, Arctic
The first trial convoy to the Soviet Union from Britain transports vital supplies to the Russian port of Archangel. The Arctic convoy reaches its destination on the 31st.

August 23
Eastern Front, Ukraine
The German 2nd Panzer Group and 2nd Army Group strike southward aiming to link up with Army Group South to the east of Kiev.

August 25
Middle East, Iran
Soviet and British forces begin occupying Iran following fears that Germans are operating in the country. Allied forces seize vital oil installations and encounter little resistance.

August 30
Eastern Front, Ukraine
The Soviet Union launches a counterattack with the Twenty-first Army north of Kiev, but it fails and risks defeat by the 2nd Panzergruppe.

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