ORDER OF BATTLE // January 23, 1945
Siege of Breslau
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 112,000 estimated
Soviet Union
57,000
Medium-confidence figure
Germany
55,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
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.
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