Yugoslavia breakout

Alarmed by the steady reduction of the Austrian salient, the British attempted to force a path to the Danube during early November 1944, conscious that the war in France may soon be pre-eminent in securing resources and men. The Germans did not expect this sudden move east, away from the German heartland, so at first the British encountered little resistance and reached Graz in just two days.

Then, on the 7thm encountering a Panzer force in the farmlands of Croatia, the British were helped massively by the high crops that blocked sightlines - a relief for the British infantry. Effective sniping by M10s knocked out a platoon of Stugs, while on the other flank a Panther and the Company CO were killed by 25pdr artillery fire.

The British advantage was blunted by German reinforcements, until the 25pdrs and some newly arrived Churchills were able to destroy these forces, despite the loss of the M10s as they went looking for flank shots on the Panthers. However, with casualties mounting and the survivors in danger of encirclement, the Germans retreated.

This kind of action was typical along the front, where German manoeuvring was confused and disorganised. By the 15th the British had taken Zagreb and were only stopped when their armoured units overreached their supply and the infantry had to be given time to catch up. Hitler meanwhile was oddly calm, deriding the move east and consulting with his generals. Events in Romania would make up his mind on his next move.