In 1943, with the German Army on the retreat, the division fought in the Belarusian city of Vitebsk. This resulting deterioration of effectiveness led to its capitulation during the Soviets' Summer Offensive in June 1944, soon after Army Group Centre's collapse in Operation Bagration. Some of the division's men escaped capture; its commanding officer Lieutenant General Rudolf Bamler, who had been in command for only a few weeks, was also captured, but later chose to work for the Soviets. Two groups were able to break out and return to German lines before the destruction of the division. Remnants of the Grenadier Regiment 48 commanded by Hauptmann Siegfried Moldenhauser would escape through a corridor east and evade Soviet forces until they reached Polykowischi where Major Osterhold formed a Kampfgruppe which broke out to German lines west.  The second group, 1st Battalion, Fusilier Regiment 27. commanded by Major Heinz-Georg Lemm would break through Russian lines 3 kilometers west of Mogilev and from there they would move north of Berezino where they would cross the Berezina river.