April 1945

Eastern Front

The 3rd Belorussian Front launches its offensive against Konigsberg. Some 138,000 ment, 5,000 arty pieces and 538 tanks or Su's are committed against Group Lasch, with just 35,000 men in 4 infantry divisions and 8 Volkssturm brigades. Massive air and arty fire accompany the attack as the 1st and 15th Air Armies ravage the German positions. Bitter fighting erupts as the Soviet forces attack from the north, east and south, puncturing the German lines at numerous points and penetrating into the city by the end of the first day of fighting. The 11th Guards Army closes upon the railway station while the 43rd Army annihilates a Volksgrenadier division in hard fighting. One by one, the outher forts fall.

The 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts open their offensive upon Vienna, the 4th Guards Army fighting its way into the southern suburbs despite fierce resistance from the 6th SS Panzer Army. Russian casualties are severe as the Germans fight in every street. The 6th Guards Tank Army suffers particularly heavy losses as it enters the city, the deadly Panzerfaust taking its toll. Mattresses tied to the front of the tanks prevent some losses but not enough Germans find their mark to whittle away the strength of the tank army. In an effort to slow the Soviet advance the SS destroys all bridges across the Danube except one, placing units of the 2nd SS Das Reich here to defend it. As the battle for Vienna rages the 2nd Panzer Army withdraws toward Graz.