Austria and Hungary - are those countries which, although they seem very similar but are very different from each other.This also applies to the mentality.So, on arrival in Hungary the Red Army Secular Union took a very cold, hostile, while the Austrians reacted neutrally or even loyal to the military.
one general opinion on the preparation and conduct of operations is not so far.This is due to the rivalry of the Soviet ideology and Austrian neutrality, pro-fascist views and common sense.However, the liberation of Vienna - the theme is interesting, addictive and causes trembling before the might of the soldiers and unquenchable patriotism.Especially considering the fact that the release of the Austrian capital has managed not only very fast, but with minimal loss of life.
Preparation for surgery
By 1945, the ninth year the two warring sides have been exhausted: mentally and physically - and soldiers tylovikov, cost - each country participating in the bloody struggle.The rush of new energy appeared when it was voted down by German counter-offensive near Lake Balaton.The forces of the Red Army is literally penetrated the defenses of the Nazis, prompting the Germans promptly take measures to eliminate such "holes".
main danger for them was that the Soviet troops to gain a foothold in the new frontier, of the seizure of Hungary could be a long time to forget.And if the country will be lost, Austria too will soon be under the control of Russian.
At this time in front of the soldiers of the 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian fronts, there is a problem - to break the Germans in the area of Lake Balaton, not later than 16 March.
Then force 3rd UV had to deal a crushing blow to the enemy and by the 15 th April to enter the line of Tulln, St. Poelten, Neu lengby.
Resources offensive
Since the release of Vienna's great hopes, not only of command, but ordinary soldiers, is preparing for the operation started immediately.The main blow had put the soldiers of the Third Ukrainian Front.Depressed, with many casualties among people and equipment, they found the strength to prepare for the attack.
Deposit combat vehicles was not only due to receipt of new copies, but also thanks to the soldiers who have recovered weapons to the extent possible.
At the time when the operation begins on the liberation of Vienna, in the arsenal of the 3rd Ukrainian Front were:
- 18 infantry divisions;
- about two hundred tanks and self-propelled guns (self-propelled artillery);
- nearly 4,000 guns and mortars.
Overall Rating transaction
As already mentioned, clearly talk about the ease or difficulty of action, we can not.On the one hand, the liberation of Vienna in 1945 - is one of the fastest and brightest operations.On the other hand, this significant human and material losses.To say that the capture of the capital of Austria was simply only at a discount to the fact that most of the other storms were associated with a significantly greater loss of life.
almost instantly liberation of Vienna - it is also a result of Soviet military experience, because they already have been turned successful capture scheme.
Do not forget about the special high spirits of our soldiers, which also played a significant role in the successful resolution of the struggle for the capital of Austria.The soldiers felt as a victory, and dead tired.But understanding that every step forward - a direction for an early return home, raise the spirit.
tasks before
liberation of Vienna, in fact, dates back to February, when the version started to be developed in Hungary, and then stripping the expulsion of the Nazis in Vienna.The exact plan was ready by the middle of March, and already the 26th of the same month before the Soviet offensive grouping (Russian and Romanian soldiers) was given the task - to attack and take the line-Objects with Pozba.
the evening of the day the operation was carried out only partially.In fierce battles our army suffered many losses, but even at nightfall the fire is not quenched.The next day, the enemy was able to oust the river Nitra.
forces of the Red Army
gradual movement lasted until the 5th of April (this day the liberation of Vienna by Soviet troops).At 7.00 am the day started attack on Bratislava.It was attended by the 25th Rifle Corps of the Red Army, the 27th Guards Tank Brigade and the 2nd Tank Regiment Romanian.After a grueling battle of Bratislava has been taken by the end of the day.
parallel, Soviet-Romanian troops began to cross the river Morava, however, in contrast to the capture of the city, the job was not done in the same period.Up to 8 April on this front were local battles that prevented relatively calm transference to the other side.Already on April 9, speeding was over.At three o'clock, our troops were able to cross to the other side.The military have been assembled in Tsverndorfe to later connect with different parts of the 4th Guards Airborne Division.
This also were transferred 10 T-34 tanks, five Su-76 and the Romanian ACS and 15 tanks.
Forces for the Defence of the Austrian capital
Force Red Army withstood quite powerful German group.Thus, the liberation of Vienna in 1945 it would be possible given the victory over:
- 8 1 tank and infantry divisions;
- 15 infantry battalions of the Volkssturm (walking) attack;
- entire capital structure of the military school;
- police, from which created 4 Regiment (it more than 6 000 people).
Also, do not forget about the advantage on the side of Nazi thanks to its natural resources.West of the city was covered by mountains, eastern and northern sides by the almost insurmountable Danube and the south Germans strengthened the antitank ditches, various fortifications, pillboxes, trenches, bunkers.
Vienna itself was literally crammed with weapons hidden in the ruins, block the streets with barricades and old buildings were peculiar bastions.
plan capture
objectively assessing the situation and realizing that the liberation of Vienna by Soviet troops will be far from the easiest, Tolbukhin plans to blows with 3 sides, thus creating panic among the commanders of surprises.Three wing attacks were as follows:
- 4th Guards Army together with the 1st Guards Corps was beaten on the south-east.
- on the southwest side of the attack to 6th Guards Army with the 18th TC.
- West as the only escape route cut off the other forces.
Thus, the natural protection would become a death trap.
It is worth noting also the attitude of the Soviet military to the values of the city: it was planned to minimize disruption in the capital.
plan was approved instantly.Capture position and cleaning the city would have occurred with lightning speed, if not the strongest resistance.
first half offensive
5th day of the operation was launched, which lasted until 13 April.The liberation of Vienna nevertheless ended relatively quickly and without catastrophic loss of life, but also walk such fights can not be named.
first day brought the Red Army's success in operations due to fierce resistance by German forces.Even though active Soviet offensive, promotion remained scanty.The Nazis understood that they have nowhere to run and fought to the last.
6th April noted fierce fighting near the town, on its outskirts.On this day, the Soviet Army was able to spend more, and in the evening, even to get to the western and southern outskirts, and then find yourself in the Vienna suburbs.
other wing committed crawl along the Alps and gone to western approaches, and then to the Danube.
Such actions have led to the fact that the group was surrounded by the enemy.
Capture city
liberation of Vienna from the Nazis goes into an active phase since the evening of the 7th of April, when the right wing of the 3rd UV Pressbaum captures and moves further in three directions: west, east and north.
On 9th starts the bloodiest part of the seizure.Particular resistance to the Germans have about Imperial bridge because it would mean taking the total environment.The end of the fifth day of the operation was marked by the success of the Red Army - the grouping of the aggressor was in the ring, although the central unit were still trying to fight and resist.
11 April starts speeding up the Danube Canal, as well as the latest battles, the liberation of Vienna from the Nazis coming to an end.
To cope with the enemy was easier, German garrison was divided into four parts, and then neutralized.
starts cleaning the city, which lasts until April 13 dinner.It is this number and is celebrated the Day of the liberation of Vienna.
relationship with local residents and the city
Command of the Soviet Army to respect the history and culture of the Austrian capital.Confirmation of this - an appeal to the residents of Vienna with an appeal to help the Red Army.The point of the reinforcements lay in the fact that citizens are not simply asked to leave their homes, not allowing the Germans to tear down the building and destroy the monuments.These words were adopted with enthusiasm.
In fact, it was a tactical move, the essence of which is: if you want to help you - save a person dear to the heart thing.After such a declaration originally neutral attitude of Austrians changing for the better, and so it begins active cooperation.
victory in this city has become a symbolic, because first the Nazis seized the country - Austria.As part of the war was the beginning of the event to the end of Hitler's Germany.
Winning Union
The first thing that should be noted, speaking about the results - is the destruction of a large group of Wehrmacht, but other than that, it should be said that in preparation for the operation has been completely liberated Hungary, which contributed soldiers2nd and 3rd Ukrainian fronts.Each participant received a medal for the liberation of Vienna.
were then occupied the eastern regions of the country and the capital.
also opened the way to Prague, making it possible to move forward as quickly as possible.
preserve the cultural and historical heritage of one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe as well as the beginning of the restoration of Vienna.
Austrian people were literally poor after the robbery, bombing and destruction, because in the same 1945 was made a firm decision to provide food assistance to the population.
losses to Nazi Germany
With regard to the loss of Berlin, it's the loss of control of the largest industrial centers of Western Europe - the Vienna industrial area and lost the battle for Nadkanizhskoe oil field.Without it, the surrounding plants for the production of fuel left without raw materials.Thus, German engineering has lost mobility, and command was forced to withdraw it deep into the conquered territories, which allowed Soviet troops to move forward quickly.The resistance provided only infantry units, who could not give a serious rebuff to the enemy while under the shelling.
There is a direct threat to the defeat of Germany, and as a result, the surrender of Nazi troops.
behavior of the German command was deprived of the honor and dignity.The soldiers proved themselves as a crowd of barbarians and vandals who destroyed the most beautiful and largest cathedrals of the city and tried to blow up the maximum number of monuments.And leaving the city, they mined the Imperial bridge.
Memory and celebration
Starting from 1945 annually in Vienna on April 13 celebrated the Day of liberation from German invaders.On the streets of Vienna established the Museum of Liberation.
And on the day when the city left the enemy in Moscow were given 24 salvo of three hundred guns.After a time, it was decided to establish a new award for the participants of these events - the medal "For the liberation of Vienna."
Today, in addition to the museum, these fierce battles reminiscent of the monument to the fallen soldiers in the Schwarzenbergplatz square, which was installed in the same 1945 in the beginning of the restoration of the city and the whole country.He made a sharp standing fighter.In one hand the soldier holds a banner, the other put a shield in the form of coat of arms of the Soviet Union.Some parts of the modern masters painted yellow.
To commemorate this victory, 50 combat units, distinguished themselves in the battle for Vienna, was given the honorary name "Vienna".
