Balaton defensive operation (1945). 70 years of the Balatons' defensive operation

The final of the Second World War was predetermined after the Battle of Stalingrad, when at the cost of the incredible efforts of the Soviet Army it was possible not only to throw off the fascists from offensive positions, but also to capture the sixth enemy army commanded by Friedrich Paulus. And although there were still more than two years before the victory and there were still many great battles, this battle made a turning point in the war. The last major battle of the most terrible war in the history of mankind was the Balaton defensive operation. In the course of it, fighting was conducted near Lake Balaton. January - March 1945 finally determined the final of the Wehrmacht.

Relation of forces

In the winter of 1945, the troops of the anti-Hitler coalition conducted successful offensive operations, creating a real threat to Berlin. Hitler, sensing a real superiority of forces not in his favor, decided on the last in his military career and "victorious march" across Europe to the East an offensive against the Soviet forces already united with the second front.

From the side of the Red Army, the main blow was held by the units of the Third Ukrainian Front under the leadership of Marshal Fyodor Tolbukhin. Support was provided by Bulgaria's First Bulgarian Army, from Yugoslavia - the Third Yugoslav Army.

The offensive was carried out by the forces of the Army Group "South", reinforced by the army corps and the fourth air fleet. In addition to this, the part of the fascists was represented by Hungary, represented by the Third Hungarian Army.

Goals of Hitler

The Balaton defensive operation, which unfolded in the territory of western Hungary, was due to quite practical purposes. Even in the face of the fact that Berlin was already under direct threat, Hitler decided to organize a counter-attack in Hungary. The Stavka planned to drop its opponents behind the Danube. Thus, it was expected that Vienna and the south of Germany would be withdrawn from the attack during the operation. However, there was another reason. It was here that the key oil fields for the Hitlerites were located. The loss of these resources for the fascist army meant the bleeding of armored and air forces.

The operation, which was code-named "Spring Awakening", was designed for three strikes aimed at dividing the defense of the third Ukrainian front, and then destroying the enemy.

Disclosure of German plans

The grouping of tank forces of fascists in the west of Hungary by Soviet scouts was discovered back in February. A little later intelligence obtained information revealing the enemy's plans for the offensive operation being prepared. Thanks to the received data, the Balaton defensive operation was carefully designed and prepared. The task assigned to the command of the second and third Ukrainian front by the Supreme High Command was to destroy the groups of fascist troops. Precisely because the interceptors were intercepted, the Balaton defensive operation turned Hitler into another coffin in the coffin of his world power.

In parallel, the Soviet military leadership continued preparations for the Vienna offensive operation.

Preparing an operation

The Balaton defensive operation was built taking into account the experience of the Battle of the Kursk Bulge. In particular, the anti-tank defense was carefully developed, shelters for people and equipment were prepared, the roads were equipped to provide opportunities for maneuvering, in addition, in the most dangerous areas, the artillery was tightened to the maximum - in some directions the density was brought to 60 - 70 Units of equipment per kilometer.

The logistical part was under special control during the preparation. Success largely depended on how well the front would be provided with fuel and ammunition. Deliveries of cargoes located on the eastern bank of the Danube were complicated by German air raids and the beginning of an ice break. Therefore, it was decided to install a gas pipeline and cable cars.

The course of hostilities

The German troops began the operation on the night of March 6. Within a few hours, German units managed to capture two bridgeheads and advance eight kilometers along the length of the front. To strengthen defensive positions, the Soviet command decided to send a reserve rifle regiment. About nine in the morning the enemy struck his main blow, which was deployed in the area between the lakes of Balaton and Velence. With the help of powerful attacks by tank forces, he managed to occupy strong positions by the evening, having gone four kilometers deep into the defense.

The next day the enemy continued massive attacks to make unceasing attempts to break through the Soviet defenses. The maneuvering of units of the Red Army did not allow the fascist troops to go further than seven kilometers into the interior of their tactical zone. Aviation in the Balaton defensive operation faced a number of difficulties caused by natural phenomena, namely, often descending impenetrable fogs.

The total battle lasted ten days. During this time, the fascists managed to advance a maximum of 30 kilometers. The battle was characterized by an incredible saturation in terms of the amount of equipment (reports show that up to 60 tanks were on one kilometer of the front), and also by the number of combat time: the Germans attacked almost all day and night using night vision devices. However, the Fascist soldiers did not manage to break through to the Danube. The losses were too great, and the German command had no choice but to turn off the offensive. The operation ended on March 15. And the Soviet Army practically without respite began an offensive operation against Vienna.

Results of the battle

The losses of one of the battlefields were estimated at tens of thousands. According to the Soviet side, the Red Army lost about 33 thousand people, of whom about 8,5 thousand were killed. The losses of the German side amounted to more than 40 thousand people, as well as 800 units of various heavy equipment and more than 200 aircraft.

From the very beginning of 1945 (Balaton defensive operation including) demonstrated an inexhaustible thirst for the Victory of the people, who suffered the most from the fascist invaders. Fortunately, these terrible days have been left behind, but the memory of the deeds of the fathers and grandfathers lives in the hearts and souls of people to this day. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Balaton defensive operation - a fierce and fierce struggle on the last lines. The equipment that participated in it and remained in more or less the whole state is now exhibited in the Central Museum of Armored Weapons and Equipment in the Moscow Region.