🗓 On October 10, 1941, Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov was appointed commander of the Western Front.

The situation at the front was extremely difficult. On October 13, 1941, the Germans captured the city of Kaluga, on October 15, 1941, the city of Kalinin, and on October 18, 1941, the city of Maloyaroslavets was captured.

During the second half of October and November 1941, the Western Front under the command of Georgy Zhukov carried out an active defense with the aim of wearing down the enemy forces and preparing for a counteroffensive along the entire front. Only Zhukov's iron will and his strategic talent allowed Moscow and the situation at the front in general to be saved.