Seelow

On April 16, 1945, the Soviet Red Army launched its attack on Berlin with a huge bombardment at the heights around Seelow about seventy kilometres east of Berlin. The heights were considered the last defence before Berlin itself. German forces were subjected to a huge bombardment before the Soviet infantry followed the bombardment. 14,628 artillery pieces and mortars and 1,531 Katjusjor (Stalin organ) hailed over the German 9th army. Despite the huge bombardment, the Germans initially repulsed the Red Army, but the 9th army was vastly inferior to the Red Army in both men (about 1 to 10) and equipment and after only four days the battle of the heights was over. After Seelow, it took only four days for the Red Army to advance about seventy kilometres to Berlin which finally fell on May 2, 1945. The Battle for the heights around Seelow was just one of several battles that were part of what has been called the Battle of Berlin. The 9th army was encircled and finally destroyed at the city of Halbe southeast of Berlin.