3rd July – 9th July (Turn 2) - Planning

On the 3rd July 1944 Vasilevski and Zhukov made their plans to continue the success of Operation Bagration. Vitebsk and Orsha had already fallen, so now the Russian Generals gave the order to attack Mogilev and Bobruisk. The 2nd and 7th Cavalry Corps would attack Bobruisk, pinning the defenders, while the tanks of the 9th Tank Corps and 4th Army Tank bridgade swept into Osipovichi, where the 20th Panzer Division was known to be waiting. The 2nd Byelorussian Front Engineers, aided by the 4th Cavalry Corps would attack Mogilev, now surrounded and cut off. Further north the 1st Air army and 63rd Guards Heavy Tank Regiment was ordered to close the Gorki pocket.

Model too had not been idle. In the north he ordered a counter attack from Dzisna, led by the 505. Schwere Panzer Abteilung, towards Vitebsk, while the Panthers of the 5th Panzer Division were redeployed to Lepel, ordered to attack south to drive the Russians out of Berezino. Meanwhile the beleaguered forces in the Gorki pocket would advance west towards Bhykov. If successful the thousands of troops in the pocket would be saved.