The map of the central section of the Eastern front shows the line running east of the Dnieper. With the exception of the northern and southern wings of the map, this line will remain unchanged until June 22, 1944. The Soviet offensive in this sector has pretty much petered out, after having suffered very heavy casualties for not much ground gained and no decisive penetrations of the German front.
The Soviets brushed these unpleasant facts under the rug in their official histories. The Soviet front commander, Vassily Sokolovsky, later rose to high rank in the post-war Soviet armed forces. He was Zhukov’s successor as Soviet “viceroy” in East Germany, Deputy Minister of Defense, and Chief of the General Staff. From these lofty political appointments he made sure the histories were scrubbed of his failures as a field commander.
