World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseBy the end of Mar 1945, Soviet troops had overran the territory of the First Slovak Republic, ie. the eastern half of occupied Czechoslovakia. Although the Soviet forces were now ready to concentrate on Berlin, Germany, Joseph Stalin observed that there was no risk that the Anglo-Americans would reach Berlin first, thus he decided to divert some of his forces to take over Vienna, Ostmark, southern Germany. Under the command of General Fyodor Tolbukhin, the Soviet 3rd Ukrainian Front encircled the city, which was defended by the German II SS Panzer Corps and the 6th Panzer Army, both of which were under-strength through prolonged fighting. The German defense was under the overall command of General Rudolf von Bünau, while the SS corps was under the command of SS General Wilhelm Bittrich. Between 2 Apr and 7 Apr, fighting was generally contained in the southern and eastern suburbs, but by 8 Apr, Soviet troops had gained several key positions in the southern suburbs, including the main rail station, and moved into the western and northern suburbs. The main attack against the city center was launched on the following day. By 13 Apr, most German forces in Vienna were isolated in various pockets, with the exception being the remaining troops of the II SS Panzer Corps, which was able to penetrate the western ring of the encirclement and escape destruction. Without the ability to coordinate between the pockets, German resistance ceased to be effective by the end of 13 Apr 1945.

ww2dbaseWith Vienna generally secured, the battle-hardened and disciplined Soviet forces moved to toward Graz in an attempt to destroy the fleeing German forces. When the Soviet occupation forces arrived in this ruined city, the city suffered rape, looting, and murder for the subsequent weeks.

Battle of Vienna Interactive Map

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Battle of Vienna Timeline

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