The Battle of the Oder–Neisse was the opening phase of the Berlin Strategic Offensive, determining the final collapse of German defenses in central Europe.
Key Facts
- Start Date
- 16 April 1945
- End of Initial Phase
- 19 April 1945
- Soviet Fronts Engaged
- Three (2nd Belorussian, 1st Belorussian, 1st Ukrainian)
- German Commands Defending
- Army Group Vistula and Army Group Centre
- Sub-operations
- Four named Soviet offensive operations
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
By early April 1945, Soviet forces had advanced to the Oder and Neisse rivers on the eastern approaches to Berlin. The Red Army sought to deliver the final strategic blow against Germany, whose Wehrmacht forces were now concentrated in Army Group Vistula and Army Group Centre defending the last natural barriers before the capital.
Beginning on 16 April 1945, three Soviet Fronts under Marshals Rokossovsky, Zhukov, and Konev launched coordinated assaults across the Oder and Neisse rivers. The offensive comprised four distinct sub-operations targeting sectors from Stettin in the north to Spremberg in the south, with the Seelow–Berlin axis forming the central thrust against Wehrmacht defenders under Heinrici and Schörner.
The four-day breakthrough phase shattered German defensive lines along the Oder–Neisse, enabling Soviet forces to encircle Berlin and drive toward the Elbe. This operational success directly precipitated the fall of Berlin and contributed to Germany's unconditional surrender in May 1945, ending the war in Europe.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Konstantin Rokossovsky, Georgy Zhukov, Ivan Konev.
Side B
2 belligerents
Gotthard Heinrici, Ferdinand Schörner.