the German offensive , Operation Soltice, Feb. 1945 by the 11thSS Pz army with 300 AFVs. The attack lasted 4 days and succeeded in penetrating the Russian lines near Arnswalde. Stalin was so shocked by this attack, he diverted huge resources to counter it. The objective was to relieve the entrapped Germans in Arnswalde and to force the Russians to withdraw from the Oder. Anyone know more of this? Books on this? [ 03. February 2006, 08:03 AM: Message edited by: Kai-Petri ]
I don't remember hearing about this one Kai, sorry. I am amazed at this late date that the Germans could put together 300 AFVs. I will be watching for the answer to your question.
Actually not the last operation as the Hungarian operation was in March... Anyway found this in the net with the mentioned figures so hoping soomeone has info in a book or the kind on this?!
Tervehdys Kai, Operation "Sonnenwende" was originally conceived by Heinz Guderian as a means of buying time for Berlin, in hopes of a separate peace with the Western Allies. The resources envisioned by Guderian, however were denied by the Fuhrer. So the mission was undertaken by elements of the following; 33rd Charlemagne Div.,Walloonie Brigade, 4th SS Polizei Pansergrenadier Div., 5th Tyrolian Apline Div.,Fuhrer Grenadier Brigade, elements ot the 3rd Panzer Army, and the 27th Langemark Infantry Div. It is interesting to note the early successes of the German drive were achieved under the leadership of Gen. Wenck until he was seriously injured in a vehicle accident. At this point, Himmler assumed command, and with fuel and supplies running low he halted the German forces in place, rather than in defensive positions. Ultimately, the Germans had to fall back under ever increasing Russian pressure, abandoning many AFV's. Zhukov, who had already been uneasy about his flanks, delayed his drive to Berlin to turn north and deal with the Pomeranian threat. In the end, Guderian's idea gave Berlin a respite of about three weeks. Here is a resource on Operation "Sonnewende" http://www.historic-battles.com/Articles/Operation%20Sonnenwende.htm
if I may add a touch, 11th W-SS Nordland with the 503 W-SS Schwere Panzer Abt. were popping T-34's and JS 1's right and left in the defence of Arnswalde which Unternehmen Solstice was suppose to relieve. Funny actually they were not even needed as the III. W-Ss Germanic Korps actually disengaged slowly from Soviet pressure having given the Soviet armor spearheads a rather bloody nose in the Pommern. Later we are to see the 33rd W-SS and Langemark portions suffer to the end with Nordland in and around the Berlin gates
