Leningrad–Novgorod offensive

BelligerentsGermanySoviet UnionCommanders and leadersGeorg von Küchler
(Until 1 February)
Walter Model
(From February 1)Leonid Govorov
Vladimir Tributs
Kirill Meretskov
Markian PopovUnits involvedArmy Group North:
44 infantry divisions
Leningrad Front
Volkhov Front
2nd Baltic Front
Baltic Fleet:
57 divisionsStrength 500,000 personnel
2,389 artillery pieces
146 tanks
140 aircraft 822,000 personnel
4,600 artillery pieces
550 tanks
653 aircraftCasualties and losses 24,739 dead and missing
46,912 wounded
Total: 71,651 casualties (per German military medical reports) 76,686 dead and missing,
237,267 wounded
Total: 313,953 casualties

The Leningrad–Novgorod strategic offensive was a strategic offensive during World War II. It was launched by the Red Army on 14 January 1944 with an attack on the German Army Group North by the Soviet Volkhov and Leningrad fronts, along with part of the 2nd Baltic Front, with a goal of fully lifting the siege of Leningrad. Approximately two weeks later, the Red Army regained control of the Moscow–Leningrad railway, and on 26 January 1944 Joseph Stalin declared that the siege of Leningrad was lifted, and that German forces were expelled from the Leningrad Oblast. The lifting of the 900-day-long blockade was celebrated in Leningrad on that day with a 324-gun salute. The strategic offensive ended a month later on 1 March, when Stavka ordered the troops of the Leningrad Front to a follow-on operation across the Narva River, while the 2nd Baltic was to defend the territory it gained in pursuit of the German XVI Army Corps.

The Germans had suffered nearly 72,000 casualties, lost 85 artillery pieces ranging in caliber from 15 cm to 40 cm, and were pushed back between 60 and 100 kilometers from Leningrad to the Luga River.