L20: Fall of Germany

Question 1

how the USSR prepare for Operation Bagration

Answer 1

• deceived Gr into thinking that attack coming from S h/w actually centre
• 1.6mil men/ 7799 aircraft/ 32000 artillery/ 5800 tanks

Question 2

what actions did Gr make that contributed to their defeat during Operation Bagration

Answer 2

• Hitler orders x defensive line beyond the front line bc retreat= forbidden
• built Fester Platze
• Hitler’s refusal to allow troops to retreat from Fester Platze= overran + played into Soviet strategy + Gr troop encircled by USSR

Question 3

impact on the war on Gr civilians

Answer 3

• sept 1944 = H widen conscription to 16-60 yo men (Volksstrum)
• red army = x discourage looting
• motivation for revenge after Leningrad
• mass rapes + killing
• ~2mil Gr women raped + 2mil civilian killed
• mils of Gr = refugees + internally displaced

Question 4

Battle of Berlin

Answer 4

• Jan 1945 USSR captured 1st Gr territory (E Prussia)
• 16 April = offence on Berlin launched
• 20 April = USSR close to begin shelling city centre
• 30 April = Hitler commit suicide + Admiral Donitz =successor
• 7 May = Gr surrenders unconditionally

Question 5

consequence of Operation Bagration

Answer 5

• 350,000-670,000 Gr casualties
• 750,000+ Soviet soldiers casualties
• Belorussia = retaken + vast portion of Poland and the Baltics
• Warsaw uprising triggered (Partisans - polish thought USSR was going to attack h/w they diverted to South -> Gr v.s Partisans)
• closer to Berlin

Question 6

battle of the Bulge

Answer 6

• Dec 1944 Gr launch counter offensive on W front in hope that USA seek peace terms
• Eisenhower (US) wanted to reduce casualties and advance =slow + cautious