The area of Rogachev was part of Adolf Hitler's Rogachev-Vetibsk line during the later stages of the war and was named a stronghold.

[4] The line did prove effective, holding the Soviet troops in a stalemate for a month.

During the initial stages of the offensive, Marshal Rokossovsky of the 1st Belorussian Front was able to drive a 16-mile wedge into the German lines, liberating Zhlobin and at least 30 other villages and towns.

[8][9] In an attempt to seal the gap, the German commander threw fresh troops into the lines.

Though the Germans fighting was considered fierce, the Soviet troops surged forward after the counterattacks and seized 13 tanks, 40 guns, and 8,000 mines along with large amounts of prisoners.