finals of World War II was a foregone conclusion after the battle of Stalingrad, when the price of incredible efforts of the Soviet Army was able not only to reject the Nazis offensive positions, but also to capture the enemy's Sixth Army, commanded by Friedrich Paulus.Although there were still more than two years before the victory and still had a lot of great fights this battle committed a turning point in the war.The last major battle of the most terrible war in human history was the Operation Spring Awakening.During her battles were fought near Lake Balaton.January - March 1945 definitively determined the final of the Wehrmacht.
balance of forces
winter of 1945 troops of the anti-Hitler coalition were successful offensive operations, creating a real threat to Berlin.Hitler, feeling no real superiority of forces in their favor, decided on the last of his military career and the "victory march" across Europe to the East offensive against Soviet forces had united with the second front.
the part of the Red Army held the brunt of the Third Ukrainian Front, under the control of Marshal Fyodor Tolbukhin.Support is provided by the Bulgarian First Bulgarian Army, the part of Yugoslavia - Third Yugoslav army.The attack was carried out
forces of Army Group "South", reinforced army corps and the fourth air fleet.In addition, the part of the Nazis acted Hungary, presented the Third Hungarian Army.
Goals Hitler
Operation Spring Awakening, unfolded in western Hungary, was caused entirely practical purposes.Even in conditions that directly threatened already in Berlin, Hitler decided to organize a counter-attack was in Hungary.The rate was planning to drop his opponents across the Danube.Thus, it was expected that during the operation of the blow will be withdrawn Vienna and south of Germany.But there was another reason.Here is the key to Hitler's oil fields.The loss of these resources to the fascist army meant bleeding armored and air forces.
operation, which was code named "Spring Awakening," was designed on three hits, whose purpose was to share the defense of the Third Ukrainian Front, and then destroy the enemy.
Disclosure of German plans
Grouping armored fascist forces in the west of Hungary by the Soviet intelligence was discovered in February.A little later produced intelligence information revealing the plans of the enemy of the impending offensive.Due to the data obtained it has been carefully designed and prepared Operation Spring Awakening.The task assigned to the command of the second and third Ukrainian front of the Supreme Command, was to destroy the factions of the fascist troops.It is because intelligence agents had made the interception, Operation Spring Awakening Hitler turned another nail in the coffin of its global power.
parallel, the Soviet military leadership continued preparations for the Vienna Offensive.
Preparing operation
Operation Spring Awakening was built from the experience of the Battle of Kursk.In particular, it has been carefully designed anti-tank defenses, prepared shelters for people and equipment, roads equipped so as to provide room for maneuver, moreover, on the most dangerous sections of the most condensed artillery - in some areas the density was increased to 60 - 70pieces of equipment per kilometer.
Logistical often under special control in preparation.The success is largely dependent on how the adjusted front will ensure fuel and ammunition.Delivery of goods, located on the east bank of the Danube, and was complicated by German air raids, and ice break-up.Therefore, it was decided to establish a gasoline pipe and rope.
Military operations
German troops launched an operation on the night of March 6.Within a few hours the German units managed to seize two bridgeheads and advance to the eight-kilometer length of the front.To strengthen the defensive positions by the Soviet command decided to send a reserve infantry regiment.About nine in the morning the enemy struck his main blow, which takes place on the territory between Lake Balaton and Velence.With the help of powerful attacks by tank forces in the evening he was able to take a position of support, going deep into the defense for four kilometers.
The next day, the enemy continued to undertake massive attack incessant attempts to break through the Soviet defenses.Maneuvering the Red Army would not let fascist troops continue seven kilometers into his tactical zone.Aviation in Operation Spring Awakening has faced a number of difficulties caused by natural phenomena, namely the often impenetrable fog descends.
The battle lasted for a total of ten days.During this time, the Nazis managed to move up to 30 kilometers.Battle differed incredible saturation by the number of art (from the report that one kilometer front had 60 tanks), as well as in the number of combat time the Germans were advancing practically around the clock, using night vision devices.However, to break through to the Danube Nazi soldiers did not succeed.The losses were too great, and the German Command had nothing to do, how to roll attack.The operation ended on March 15.A Soviet army almost without a break launched an offensive on Vienna.
The outcome of the battle
loss of one of many foreign battles tens of thousands.According to the Soviet side, the Red Army lost about 33 thousand. People, of which about 8.5 thousand. Dead.The loss of the German side amounted to over 40 thousand. People, as well as 800 units of various heavy equipment and more than 200 aircraft.
From the beginning of 1945 (Operation Spring Awakening in particular) demonstrated inexhaustible thirst for victory of the people affected by the invaders to the greatest extent.Fortunately for us, these terrible days are over, but the memory of the deeds of their fathers and grandfathers lived in the hearts and souls of people to this day.This year marks 70 years of Operation Spring Awakening - a fierce and furious combat on the last turn.The technique, which was involved in it and has remained more or less the whole state, is now exposed as exhibits in the Central Museum of armored vehicles in the Moscow region.
