The Battle of Smolensk (July 10-September 10, 1941) refers to the fierce engagement of the Army Group Centre with the Soviet Army at Smolensk during the Great Patriotic War.

German armoured divisions of Army Group Centre began an offensive on July 10 to encircle Soviet forces in the Smolensk area. The offensive was met by the forces of the Western Front (Timoshenko), Reserve Front (Zhukov), Central Front (Kuznetsov), and Bryansk Front (Yeryomenko).

Soviet resistance was strong, and several counter-attacks were conducted. The Soviets even managed to temporarily break the German encirclement and to evacuate troops out of the pocket. The bitter fighting had considerably delayed the overall German advance toward Moscow, so that defence lines further East could be strengthened, and thus effectively disrupted a blitzkrieg.

According to German military, their losses were about 250,000 personnel.

Nearly all city of Smolensk was destroyed after the battle. In 1985 it was awarded the title Hero City.

See also

• Other battles of Smolensk