In 1944, after Stalin's ten major strikes, after the first blow began, due to the influence of severe cold weather, the main offensive of Soviet Marshal Meretskov on the first day was slow, but it was gratifying that the southern auxiliary offensive group of the 59th Army also began to operate.
The entire Southern Auxiliary Offensive Group of the 59th Army was commanded by Major General Sviklin, which included the 58th Independent Infantry Brigade and the 225th Infantry Division, reinforced by 2 motor sleigh battalions equipped with skiers, light self-propelled guns and armored vehicles. The military is unprecedentedly powerful.
The task of the Southern Auxiliary Offensive Group of the 59th Army was to unknowingly cross Lake Illmen and catch the Germans on the west bank off guard. In order to ensure the success of the sneak attack, no information can be leaked. Although the Soviets had made plans as early as September, Meretskov kept the secret for four months.
The 59th Army, the logistics units, and the units directly involved in the battle were all kept tight-lipped; the troop drills were also conducted far from the lake, and they were not transferred to the lake until a day and night before the battle. Marshal Meretskov took great pains to win the victory.