Operation Zauberflöte

[1] The operation was directed by Gerret Korsemann, the Higher SS and Police Leader for Central Russia.

The units assigned to Zauberflöte included:[2] The operation commenced at 04:00 on 17 April 1943, under the cover of darkness to maximise the effect of surprise for the sweep of the first city district.

By the evening of 18 April, the army completed the encirclement of the city centre, which allowed the SS police units to conduct searches of dwellings and ruins.

[3] The operation was declared a success by Bandenbekämpfung chief, Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski, who was visiting the city.

The commander of the army patrol service at the Reichskommissariat Ostland praised the results of the operation and demanded regular raids at railway stations.