LiberationTurning point
· Day 1156 of 1418
The Iași–Kishinev operation
Kishinev and Iași
On 20 August 1944 an offensive began in the south. Within days Moldavia was liberated, and Romania, Germany’s ally, left the war on 23 August and turned its arms against Germany.
Within a few days two fronts encircled a large enemy force. On 23 August there was a coup in Bucharest: Romania left the war, and two days later declared war on Germany.
On 24 August Soviet troops freed Kishinev. The road to the Balkans lay open.
See it on the map