Eastern FrontCENTRAL SECTORThe 3rd Panzer Army abandons its bridgehead in Pomerania at Altdamm. The 3rd Belorussian Front makes progress as it advances northeast along the Baltic coast. Braunsberg falls after a bloody battle. Near Danzig the 49th Army attacks Zoppot while Allied bombers launch a massive raid upon German shipping in the bay. In Silesia the 21st and 4th Tank Armies destroy those elements of the Herman Goering Panzer Corps isolated at Oppeln. The Germans lose 30,000 killed and 15,000 capture in the bitter fighting. Himmler, reduced to a state of nervous exhaustion after his brief period in command of Army Group Vistula, is relieved and Gen Heinrici appointed in his place. Gen Nehring of the XXIV Panzer Corps takes command of the 1st Panzer Army. |
| [ March 19th - March 21st] |