for a short time. Without the traffic network based on Vilnius, the German position in the southern Baltics was untenable. By the end of July, the 3rd Belorussian Front was ordered to conduct the Kaunas offensive to extend the gains of Operation Bagration further. See also Operation Bagration, the strategic offensive of which this action was a part Roza Shanina, Soviet sniper who fought in the battle for Vilnius Theodor Tolsdorff, German officer decorated for his role in the battle Footnotes References External links Operation Bagration: Soviet offensive of 1944 historynet 7/25/2006 Vilnius Conflicts in 1944 Operation Bagration 1944 in Lithuania History of Vilnius Military operations of World War II involving Germany Strategic operations of the Red Army in World War II Articles containing video clips Military history of Lithuania during World War II July 1944 events