Siege of Breslau

Overview

The siege of Breslau was an 80-day-long combat for Breslau; it formed part of the Lower Silesian offensive during final stages of World War Two in Europe. The German garrison, composed of one infantry division and various autonomous units, fought having been fully encircled. The advancing Soviets relied on 6. Army and various delegated units.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The siege of Breslau was an 80-day engagement forming part of the Lower Silesian offensive during the final stages of the war in Europe. With the German garrison fully encircled, the battle locked down substantial forces on both sides — roughly 57,000 Soviet troops and 55,000 German defenders — at a moment when the Eastern Front was collapsing toward Berlin. German casualties equaled their entire garrison strength, while Soviet losses exceeded half their committed force, reflecting the intensity of urban encirclement combat. As a component of the Lower Silesian offensive, the siege contributed to Soviet consolidation of Silesia and the progressive elimination of German-held pockets west of the Oder.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (5)