The liberation of Vienna on April 13, 1945. The storming of Vienna

Austria and Hungary are those countries that, although they seem very similar, differ in many respects from each other. This applies to the mentality. So, upon arrival in Hungary, the Red Army of the Secular Union was taken extremely coldly, hostilely, while the Austrians reacted neutrally and even loyal to the military.

There is still no common opinion on the preparation and conduct of the operation. This is due to the rivalry of Soviet ideology and Austrian neutrality, pro-fascist views and common sense. Nevertheless, the liberation of Vienna - a topic of interest, exciting and evocative of the might of soldiers and unquenchable patriotism. Especially considering the fact that it was possible to free the Austrian capital not only very quickly, but also with minimal human losses.

Preparing for an operation

By 1945, both warring parties had already been exhausted: morally and physically - soldiers and loggers, economically - every country that took part in this bloody struggle. The influx of new energy appeared when the German counter-offensive near Lake Balaton failed. The forces of the Red Army literally wedged into the defense of the fascists, which prompted the Germans to take prompt measures to eliminate such a "hole".

The main danger for them was that the Soviet troops were fastened on a new frontier, the capture of Hungary could be forgotten for a long time. And if this country is lost, Austria too will soon be under Russian control.

At this time, before the fighters of the 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts, the task arises: to smash the Germans in the area of Lake Balaton no later than on March 16th.

At the same time, the forces of the 3rd UV were to deal a crushing blow to the enemy and, by April 15, to reach the line of Tuln, St. Pölten, Neu-Lengbach.

Offensive resources

Since the liberation of Vienna was entrusted with great hopes not only of the commanders, but also of ordinary soldiers, preparations for the operation began immediately. The main blow was to be inflicted by the fighters of the Third Ukrainian Front. Depressed, with a lot of losses among people and technology, they found the strength to prepare for the offensive.

Replenishment of military vehicles was not only due to the receipt of new copies, but also thanks to soldiers who restored weapons as far as possible.

At the time when the operation for the liberation of Vienna began, in the arsenal of the 3rd Ukrainian Front there were:

• 18 infantry divisions;
• About two hundred tanks and automatic control systems (self-propelled artillery units);
• Nearly 4,000 guns and mortars.

General evaluation of the operation

As already mentioned, we can not unequivocally talk about the ease or complexity of actions. On the one hand, the liberation of Vienna in 1945 is one of the fastest and brightest operations. On the other hand, these are significant human and material losses. To say that the seizure of the capital of Austria was simple, it is possible only at a discount to the fact that most other assaults were associated with much greater human losses.

Almost instantaneous liberation of Vienna is also a result of the experience of the Soviet military, because they have already developed successful capture schemes.

Do not forget about the special elation of the mood of our soldiers, which also played a significant role in the successful resolution of the struggle for the capital of Austria. The fighters felt like victory, and deadly fatigue. But understanding that every step forward is a direction for a quick return home, raised the spirit.

Tasks before the onset

The liberation of Vienna, in fact, originates since February, when the version of Hungary's sweeping and then the expulsion of the fascists from Vienna began to be developed. The exact plan was ready for the middle of March, and on the 26th of the same month the Soviet offensive group (Russian and Romanian soldiers) was tasked to attack and take the Veshi-Pozba line.

By the evening of that day, the operation was only partially carried out. In fierce battles, our army suffered many losses, but even with the onset of darkness, the fire did not stop. The very next day the enemy managed to drive out beyond the Nitra River.

Forces of the Red Army

Gradual progress continued until April 5th (on this day, the liberation of Vienna by Soviet troops began). At 7.00 am of this day the offensive started on Bratislava. It was attended by the 25th Rifle Corps of the Red Army, the 27th Guards Tank Brigade, as well as the 2nd Romanian Tank Regiment. After a grueling battle, Bratislava was taken by the end of the day.

Simultaneously, the Soviet-Romanian troops began to force the Morava River, however, unlike the capture of the city, the task was not carried out in the same period. Until the 8th of April, local fights were fought on this front, which prevented a relatively calm transfer to the other side. On April 9, the crossing was over. At three o'clock in the afternoon our troops were able to cross to the other side. The military were assembled in Zwerndorf, in order to later connect with separate units of the 4th Guards VDD.

10 T-34 tanks, 5 SU-76 planes and Romanian automatic control systems and 15 tanks were also transferred here.

Forces for the defense of the capital of Austria

The forces of the Red Army were opposed by a rather powerful German group. Thus, the liberation of Vienna in 1945 would have become possible on condition of a victory over:

• 8 tank and 1 infantry divisions;
• 15 infantry battalions for Volkssturm (on foot attack);
• The whole composition of the capital's military school;
• Police, from which four regiments were created (this is over 6,000 people).

In addition, do not forget about the advantage on the fascist side due to natural resources. The city's west was covered with mountains, the eastern and northern sides were washed by the almost insurmountable Danube, and the Germans fortified the south with anti-tank ditches, various fortifications, pillboxes, trenches, bunkers.

Vienna itself was literally stuffed with hidden weapons in the ruins, the streets were blocked by barricades, and the ancient buildings served as original bastions.

Capture plan

Objectively assessing the situation and understanding that the liberation of Vienna by Soviet troops will not be the easiest, FI Tolbukhin plans to direct blows from 3 sides, thereby creating panic among the command because of surprise. The three attack wings should look like this:

1. The 4th Guards Army, together with the 1st Guards Corps, was beaten to the southeast.
2. On the south-west side, the 6th Guards Army would attack along with the 18th TC.
3. The West, as the only way out, cut off the rest of the forces.

Thus, natural protection would turn into a deadly trap.

It is also worth noting the attitude of the Soviet military to the values of the city: it was planned to minimize the destruction in the capital.

The plan was approved immediately. The seizure of the position and the purification of the city would have taken place at a speed, if not for the strongest resistance.

First half of the offensive

On the 5th, the operation started, which lasted until April 13. The liberation of Vienna nevertheless ended relatively quickly and without catastrophic human losses, but such fights can not be called a walk either.

The first day did not bring the Red Army success in action because of the fierce resistance of the German forces. Even despite the active offensive of the Soviet troops, the advancement remained miserable. The Fascists understood that they had nowhere to run and fought to the last.

April 6 marked fierce battles near the city, on its approaches. On this day the Soviet Army managed to pass more, and by the evening even reach the western and southern outskirts, then find themselves in the Viennese suburbs.

Another wing made a detour along the Alps and went to the western approaches, and then to the Danube.

Such actions led to the fact that the enemy group was surrounded.

Capturing the city

The liberation of Vienna from the fascists passes into the active phase already from the evening of April 7, when the right wing of the 3rd UV captures Pressbaum and moves further in three directions: west, east and north.

From the 9th the most bloody part of the capture begins. Special resistance is exerted by the Germans near the Imperial Bridge, since its capture would mean a complete encirclement. The end of the fifth day of the operation was marked by the success of the Red Army - the aggressor group was in the ring, although the central units were still trying to fight and counter.

On April 11, the crossing of the Danube canal begins, as well as the last battles, the liberation of Vienna from the fascists comes to an end.

To cope with the enemy was easier, the garrison of the Germans was divided into four parts, and then rendered harmless.

The cleanup of the city begins, which lasts until lunch on April 13. It is on this day that the Day of the Liberation of Vienna is celebrated.

Attitude towards local people and the city

The command of the Soviet Army showed respect for the history and culture of the Austrian capital. This is confirmed by an appeal to the inhabitants of Vienna with an appeal to help the Red Army. The essence of this assistance was that the citizens were asked not to leave the houses, not letting the Germans destroy the buildings and destroy the monuments. Such words were accepted with a bang.

In fact, it was a tactical move, the essence of which: if you want to be helped, save a thing dear to a person. After such a statement, the initially neutral attitude of the Austrians is changing for the better, and therefore active cooperation begins.

The victory in this city became symbolic, because the first country captured by the fascists was Austria. Throughout the war this event marked the beginning of the end for Hitler's Germany.

Victory of the Union

The first thing to note about the outcome is the destruction of a large Wehrmacht faction, but besides this, we can not help saying that Hungary was completely liberated during the preparations for the operation, which was facilitated by the fighters of the 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts. Each participant received a medal for the liberation of Vienna.

Then the eastern regions of the country and the capital were occupied.

Also, the way to Prague was opened, which made it possible to move forward as quickly as possible.

The cultural and historical heritage of one of the most picturesque capitals of Europe is preserved , and the restoration of Vienna was laid.

The Austrian people were literally penniless after plundering, bombing and destruction, because in the same year 1945, a firm decision was made to provide food aid to the population.

The losses for fascist Germany

As for losses for Berlin, it is the loss of control over the largest industrial center of Western Europe - the Vienna industrial area, and also the battle for the Nagykanizh oil field was lost. Without it, nearby factories for the production of fuel remained without raw materials. Thus, German technology lost mobility, and the command was forced to withdraw it deep into the conquered territories, which allowed the Soviet troops to move forward quickly. Resistance was provided only by infantry formations, which could not give a serious rebuff to the enemy, being under artillery shelling.

There is a direct threat of the defeat of Germany, and, as a consequence, the surrender of the fascist troops.

The conduct of the German command was deprived of honor and dignity. The soldiers showed themselves as a crowd of barbarians and vandals who destroyed the most beautiful and large cathedrals of the city, and also tried to blow up the maximum number of monuments. And leaving the city, they mined the Imperial Bridge.

Memory and celebration

Since 1945, in Vienna, on April 13, the Day of the liberation of the city from the German invaders is celebrated every year. On one of the streets the Museum of the Liberation of Vienna was established.

And on the day the city was abandoned by the enemy, 24 volleys of three hundred guns were given in Moscow. After a while, it was decided to establish a new award for the participants of these events - the medal "For the Liberation of Vienna".

Today, in addition to the museum, a monument to the fallen soldiers on the Schwarzenbergplatz Square reminds of these fierce battles, which was established in the same year 1945 at the very beginning of the restoration of the city and the whole country. It is made in the form of a standing soldier. In one hand the soldier holds a banner, the other one is put on a shield in the form of the USSR coat of arms. Some details of modern masters painted in yellow.

In commemoration of this victory, 50 combat units, distinguished in the battle for Vienna, were given the honorary title "Vienna".