Vienna's liberation. Liberation of Austria. Vienna offensive operation. (64 photos) Military Vienna

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April 13, 1945 Soviet troops liberated the capital of Austria Vienna

Vienna offensive It is known less than the Balaton defensive prior to it, but its value is great: restoring the sovereignty of Austria, she deprived Hitler's hope of tightening the war and cut out strategically important oil fields from Germany. On this topic: So started Nazism

Soviet troops in Vienna

Part of the third Reich Austria was as a result of anchlus (literally "accession") conducted by German troops on March 12-13, 1938: this allowed Hitler to increase the territory of Germany by 17%, and the population is 6.7 million people. Despite the fact that Hitler replaced the name "Austria" (Österreich - "Eastern Reich") less proud Ostmark ("Eastern Border"), a significant number of citizens eliminated them independent state She sympathized with the ideas of Nazism. Soldiers recruited in Austria served in the Wehrmacht and the SS. In addition, Austria and Hungary supplied Germany with strategically important raw materials - oil.

In the 1943 received allies of the Moscow Declaration of 1943, the Anchlus was announced invalid: without freeing Austria from responsibility for participating in the war on the side of Hitler's Germany, the USSR, the United States and the United Kingdom expressed the desire to "see the restored free and independent Austria". To specific cases, this desire was enhanced in 1945, during the Vienna offensive operation. Taking the ancient capital of Habsburg - Vienna - was planned by the Soviet command back in March 1945. The 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian fronts were to prepare and carry out an offensive operation. However, the powerful offensive of the Germans under the code name "Spring Awakening" made to revise the original plan: during the last major defensive operation of the Red Army - the Balatonian - troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, continuing to prepare for the offensive, temporarily moved to defense, exhausting the tank group of the enemy.

A month later, the defense was changed with the onset: on March 16, at 15 35 minutes after the hourly artillery preparation of the troops of the two Guards armies of the right wing of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, passed to the offensive in the Viennese direction. Bringing the enemy defense from the city of Gunt to Lake Balaton, the troops of the front by March 25 came to Line Veszpreter - Balaton and began the persecution of the enemy. On March 17, they switched to the offensive in the direction of Dad - Gyor troops of the left wing of the 2nd Ukrainian Front. By March 25, the "boiler" north of the commodity was pleased with four enemy infantry divisions, which were completely destroyed by March 27. On April 1, the 57th and 1st Bulgarian armies were traded by the last Hitler's oil area in Western Hungary - Nadridge. On April 4, the troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front released Bratislava and, pursuing the enemy, completely completed the liberation of Hungary. The road to Vienna was open.

On the approaches

The scale of the Vienna offensive operation is eloquently says the number of troops involved on both sides. The grouping of two fronts numbered 639 thousand people, over 12 thousand guns and mortars, more than 1.3 thousand tanks and sau, about a thousand aircraft and 50 river ships. They were opposed by the troops of the German-fascist group of the Army "South" and part of the Forces of the Army Group "F" - 410 thousand people, 5.9 thousand guns and mortars, 700 tanks and assault guns, 700 aircraft.

Commander of the 3rd Ukrainian Front Fedor Ivanovich Tolbukhin planned a simultaneous blow from three directions: from the southeast, the 4th Guards Army and the 1st Guards Mechanized Corps, from the South and South-West - forces of the 6th Guards Tank Army With her the 18th tank corps and part of the forces of the 9th Guards Army. The remaining part of the forces of the 9th Guards Army was to get around the city from the West and cut off the enemy of the waste path.

Nazis were not intended to give the city easily: the troops falling in Vienna in advance created a whole network of fortifications using artificial border fortifications, as well as natural barriers - mountains, forests, rivers, floats. At the outer border of the city of the street crossed anti-tank rs and barriers, all the bridges were mined. Tens of barricades were built in the depths of the city. Numerous firepoints were equipped in homes.

Vienna defended the remains of eight tank and one infantry divisions from the 6th Tank Army of the SS, the personnel of the Vienna military school, as well as 15 separate battalions. In addition, four regiments of 1500 people were formed to participate in street battles from the Vienna Police. The head of the defense of Vienna was appointed commander of this army, the Colonel Military Troops of the CC Josef Dietrich, who at the beginning of the offensive operation said: "Vienna will be preserved for Germany." The choice was not accidental. In 1938, Dietrich headed the military unit who took part in the Anshlus, and since then he had a lot of other reasons to prove his loyalty to Rehih: he participated in the occupation of the Sudechean region, Bohemia and Moravia, in the French campaign and battle for Kharkov, fought in the Balkans And against the allied troops in Ardennes.

On April 5, Soviet troops tied the battles on the southern and southeastern approaches to Vienna. It was difficult to advance - the fighters of the Red Army had to reflect tank and infantry counterattacks, and on this day the 4th Guards Army, who was coming to Vienna from the south, did not achieve great success. But the 38th Guards Rifle Corps of the 9th Guards Army, which was coming the south-west of the city, managed to move 16-18 kilometers. Tolbukhin decided to consolidate success: the 6th Guards Tank Army passed on this direction, which went around the city and hit Vienna from the West and the North-West. On April 7, the main forces of the 9th Guards Army and the Connection of the 6th Guards Tank Army, overcoming the Viennese Forest, went to the Danube. To the end of April 10, the enemy garrison was clamped from three sides.

Battle of the city

The assault of the city itself began on April 6. Fights walked day long: the main forces were fighting, and at night - special divisions. In the labyrinth of the streets of the Old Town Rifle units, separate tank crews and instrument calculations sometimes entered into real "duels". The main battle unfolded for the last surviving bridge over the Danube - the Imperial Bridge, which was also mined. The bridge was important for the promotion of Soviet troops - his subsection would make our troops forcing the Danube. For the German troops, the bridge served as the only means of communication between army groups located in the eastern and western parts of the city.

Attempts to master the bridge on April 9 and 10 ended in failure. Under these conditions, the command decided on an unusually risky operation - to land on both shores the Danube, which will be charged to capture and retain the bridge before the land parts approach. As a landing, the rifle company of the 80th Guards Rifle Division was chosen from the 4th Guards Army. The landing operation began on April 11, and only two days later the regiment of the 80th Guards Rifle Division managed, carrying major losses, break through to the bridge and connect with the landing. The detachment managed to distract attention until the main part of the division, reinforced 16 SAU, managed to switch the bridge and take a circular defense on the West Bank. The bridge was cleaned, and it became key Moment Battle for Vienna: Scrolls from the main forces of a group of Hitler's troops in the eastern part of the city on the same day were destroyed or surrendered, and groups of troops, which were in Western regions of Vienna, began a rush retreat. April 13 Vienna was completely purified from the German troops. Soviet troops continued to move behind the retreating parts of the enemy, destroying them or forcing them to surrender. Only in the period of battles behind the vein and persecution of retreating troops, the Red Army captured 130 thousand people, captured and destroyed 1345 tanks and assault guns, over 2250 guns and mortars.

The result of the Vienna offensive operation was not only the liberation of veins and a significant part of Austria, but also the application of a serious defeat of the South German Army Group, which actually ceased to exist. As a result of the battles behind Vienna, 11 German divisions were completely broken, including the entire 6th SS tank army. Losting important oil fields of Hungary, losing the Viennese Industrial District, Germany could no longer hope for the delay of war. In honor of this operation, a medal "For Taking Vienna" was established.
The original is taken by W.

The Vienna Offensive Operation, which was completed on April 13, 1945 by the liberation of the capital of Austria from the Wehrmacht, was one of the brilliant offensive operations to finalify the Great Patriotic War. Therefore, at the same time she was and fairly simple, and incredibly hard. Such are the latest, decisive battles.

The relative ease of capturing the capital of Austria, relatively with other operations, was due to the fact that the Red Army has already worked as a scheme for the destruction of enemy groupings. In addition, by April 1945, our troops already felt the proximity of victory, and they could not be stopped. Although it was psychologically particularly difficult to fight at this time, people knew "a little more, a little bit, plus fatal fatigue.

It is clear that there was no weight of the walk: our common losses in this operation are 168 thousand people (of whom more than 38 thousand people). The Germans were desperately resisted, but their forces were already undermined - before that, the Red Army and the Wehrmacht in the Union with Hungarian parts were heavy battles in Hungary. Hitler ordered to keep Hungarian oilfields at any cost - the battle for Budapest and the subsequent Balaton operation included the number of the most bloody battles of the Great Patriotic War. Our troops joined Hungary in October 1944, before being conducted by Belgorod operation, and only at the end of March 1945 reached Austria. The attitude of the population was different, if the Hungars mostly supported the Nazis, were hostile to the Red Army, the Austrians were neutral. Of course, they did not meet with flowers and bread, but there were no hostility.

The assault of the capital of Austria was the final part of the Vienna offensive operation, which was from March 16 to April 15, 1945 by the 2nd (Marshal Commander Soviet Union Rodion Malinovsky) and the 3rd Ukrainian fronts (commander of the Marshal of the Soviet Union Fedor Tolbukhin) with the help of the 1st Bulgarian Army (Lieutenant-General V. Perechev). Her main goal was the defeat of the German troops in Western Hungary and East Austria.

Our troops opposed part of the army group of the South Army (commander of the infantry general O. Oleler, from April 7, Colonel-General L. Rendulich), part of the army group of the Fel Army (Commander-Feldmarshal M. Vaykhs), from March 25 Army Groups "E" (Commander-Colonel-General A. LER). The German Supreme Command attached to the protection of the Viennese direction is important, planning to stop the Soviet troops on these borders and keep in the mountainous and wooded areas of Austria, hoping to conclude the Separate World with England and the United States. However, on March 16 - April 4, the Soviet forces broke through German defense, defeated the forces of the South Army Group and went to the approaches to Vienna.

For the defense of the capital of Austria, the German command created a rather strong grouping of troops, its residues of the 8th tank and 1st infantry division from the 6th SS Tank Army, who left the district of Lake Balaton, was formed about 15 separate infantry battalions and Volkssturma battalions. The entire composition of the Vienna Military School was mobilized to the protection of Vienna, 4 shelf of 1.5 thousand people were created from the Vienna Police. Natural conditions The terrain around the city favored the German side. From the West, Vienna covered the mountains of the mountains, and with the Northern and Eastern Parties - a powerful water barrier, wide and centurious Danube. On the south side, on the approaches to the city of the Germans created a powerful fortified area, which consisted of anti-tank pvv, a developed system of fortification facilities - trenches, dollars and sucks. On all tan hazardous directions on the external divorce of Vienna, the rally were erected, anti-tank and anti-personnel booms were installed.

A significant part of its artillery Germans prepared for shooting direct vending, to enhance the anti-tank defense of the city. Firepoints for artillery were equipped in parks, gardens, squares and in the city's squares. In addition, in the destroyed houses of the city (from strikes), guns were disguised and, which were to fire from an ambush. The streets of the city overlapped with numerous barricades, many stone buildings were adapted to long defense, becoming real bastions, in their windows, attics, firing points were equipped with cellars. All bridges in the city were mined. The German command planned to make the city by an insurmountable obstacle on the path of the Red Army, an impregnable fortress.

Commander of the 3rd Ukrainian front F. I. Tolbukhin planned to take the city with the help of 3 simultaneous strikes: from the south-eastern side - the troops of the 4th Guards Army and the 1st Guards Mechkorpus, with the South and South-Western Parties - the troops The 6th Guards Tank Army with the 18th Tank Corps goverged to her and part of the 9th Guards Army's troops. The remaining part of the forces of the 9th Guards Army was supposed to bypass Vienna from the West and cut off the waste path to the Nazis. At the same time, the Soviet command tried to prevent the destruction of the city, during the assault.

On April 5, 1945, Soviet troops began operations to take veins from the south-east and south. At the same time, mobile connections that include tank and mechanized parts began bypassing the capital of Austria from the West. The enemy responded with fire and fierce contrasts of infantry with reinforced tanks, trying to prevent the promotion of Soviet troops to the city. Therefore, on the first day, despite the decisive actions of the troops of the Red Army, they failed to break the resistance of the enemy, the promotion forward was insignificant.

All the next day - April 6 were fierce battles on the approaches to the city. By the evening of this day, Soviet troops were able to reach the southern and western outskirts of the city and broke into the surrounding suburbs of Vienna. Began stubborn battles already within the city. The forces of the 6th Guards Tank Army, made an obligatory maneuver, in difficult conditions of the Eastern Thieves of the Alps and went to the Western approaches of the city, and then on the south bank of the Danube. The German group was surrounded from three sides.

Soviet command trying to prevent vain victims among the civilian population, to preserve the beautiful city and his historical heritage, on April 5, he turned to the population of the capital of Austria with a call to stay in his homes, in places and to help with Soviet soldiers, not allowing the Nazis to destroy the city. Many Austrians patriots their city responded to this call for the command of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, they helped Soviet soldiers in their difficult struggle for the liberation of Vienna.

By the end of the day, on April 7, the strength of the right wing of the 3rd Ukrainian Front took part of the Vienna outskirts of the Pressbaum and continued to move - east, north and west. On April 8, persistent battles continued in the city itself, the Germans created new barricades, the ruins, overlapping roads, installed mines, Fugas, were moved to the dangerous directions of guns, mortars. During April 9-10, Soviet forces continued to move towards the city center. Especially stubborn resistance Wehrmacht provided in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Imperial Bridge across the Danube, this was due to the fact that if the Soviet troops came to him, the entire German grouping in Vienna would be in full surroundings. Danube landed the landing to capture the imperial bridge, but the enemy's strong fire stopped it 400 meters from the bridge. Only the second landing, he was able to capture the bridge, not allowing him to blow. To the outcome of April 10, the defendant German group was completely surrounded, its last units had resisted only in the city center.

On the night of April 11, our troops began to forcing the Danube Channel, the final battles were going for Vienna. Having broken the resistance of the enemy in the central part of the capital and in blocks, which were located on the northern shore of the Danube Canal, the Soviet troops were cut off by an enemy garrison into separate groups. Began "stripping" of the city - to dinner on April 13, the city was completely released.

Results of the operation

As a result of the onset of Soviet troops in the Vienna offensive operation, a large grouping of the Wehrmacht was defeated. The forces of the 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian fronts were able to complete the liberation of Hungary, took the eastern regions of Austria along with her capital - Vienna. Berlin has lost control over another major industrial center of Europe - the Viennese Industrial District, including the economically important Niakanizh oil area. The road to Prague and Berlin, from the south, was opened. The USSR marked the beginning of the restoration of the statehood of Austria.

The fast and dedicated actions of the troops of the Red Army did not allow the Wehrmacht to destroy one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Soviet soldiers We were able to prevent the explosion of the imperial bridge across the Danube River, as well as the destruction of many other valuable architectural structures that the Germans prepared for an explosion or were set fire to the vermachod parts during the retreat, among them and the Cathedral of St. Stephen, and the Vienna Town Hall and other structures.

In honor of the Soviet troops obsessed with another brilliant victory on April 13, 1945 at 21.00 in the capital of the USSR - Moscow was a victorious salute 24 artillery volley from 324 guns.

To commemorate this victory, 50 combat compounds distinguished in the battle for Vienna received the wiring name "Viennese". In addition, the Soviet government established a medal "For the capture of Vienna", which all participants in the fighting for the capital of Austria were awarded. In Vienna in August 1945, a monument was established in the Schwarzenbergplatz Squarers in honor of Soviet soldiers who died in battles for the liberation of Austria.

April 13, 2010 marks 65 years since the liberation of Vienna from the fascist invaders.

April 13, 1945, after conducting a Vienna offensive operation, the capital of Austria Vienna was liberated by the Soviet army. The Vienna offensive operation was carried out by the 2nd troops (commander of the Marshal of the Soviet Union Rodion Malinovsky) and the 3rd (commander of the Marshal of the Soviet Union Fyodor Tolbukhin) of the Ukrainian fronts.

The German command attached to the defense of the Vienna area of \u200b\u200bgreat importance, hoping to stop the Soviet troops and to resist in the Mining and wooded areas of Austria in the hope of concluding a separate world with England and the United States. However, on March 16 - April 4, Soviet troops broke through enemy defense, defeated the South Army Group and went on the approach to Vienna.

For the Defense of the Austrian capital, the fascist command was created by a large grouping of troops, which included 8 tank divisions who were separated from the region of Oz. Balaton, and one infantry and about 15 separate infantry battalions and folksturma battalions consisting of 15-16 years old. The entire garrison was mobilized to protect the veins, including fire teams.

Natural terrain conditions favored the defending side. From the West, the city covers the ridge of mountains, and from the north and east - a wide and centurous Danube. On the southern approaches to the city, the Germans built a powerful fortified area, consisting of anti-tank pvv, a widely developed system of the trenches and trenches and many dollars and sucks.

A significant part of the enemy artillery was installed for shooting direct vending. Artillery's firing positions were placed in parks, gardens, squares and in squares. In the destroyed houses, guns and tanks were disguised, designed to keep fire from the ambush. The Hitler's command intended to make the city an insurmountable obstacle on the path of Soviet troops.

Plan of the Supreme Command Rate Soviet army Prescribed to make the liberation of Vienna the troops of the right wing of the 3rd Ukrainian Front. Part of the troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front had to cross the southern shores of the Danube to the North. After that, these troops had to cut off the waste of the Vienna grouping of the enemy to the north.

On April 5, 1945, Soviet troops began storming veins from the south-east and south. At the same time, tank and mechanized troops began bypassing veins from the west. The opponent with strong fire from all types of weapons and contrasts of infantry and tanks tried to prevent the breakthrough of the Soviet troops to the city. Therefore, despite the decisive actions of the troops of the Soviet Army, they did not manage to break the opponent's resistance during April 5, and they just moved slightly forward.

All day on April 6, stubborn battles were going on on the approaches to the city. In the evening, Soviet troops came out to the southern and Western outskirts of Vienna and broke into the surrounding part of the city. Store stubborn battles in the drawing of Vienna. The troops of the 6th Guards Tank Army, having committed a major maneuver, in difficult conditions of the Eastern Turns of the Alps, went to the Western approaches to Vienna, and then to the southern coast of the Danube. The enemy grouping was surrounded from three sides.

Wanting to prevent in vain victims among the population, to preserve the city and save its historical monuments, the command of the 3rd Ukrainian front on April 5 turned to the population of Vienna with calls to remain in the places and to dine Soviet soldiers, not to give the fascists to destroy the city. Many Austrian patriots responded to the appeal of the Soviet command. They helped Soviet soldiers in their difficult struggle against the enemy fallen in the fortified quarters.

By the evening, on April 7, the troops of the right wing of the 3rd Ukrainian front were part of the forces of the Vienna outskirts, and began to spread fan - east, north and west.

On April 8, the battles in the city were even more stressful. The enemy used for defense large stone buildings, built the barricades, arranged the ruins on the streets, installed mines and Fugasi. Germans "worst" implements and mortars, tank ambushes, anti-aircraft artillery, and Faust-cartridges are widely used.

On April 9, the Soviet government published a statement in which he confirmed its decision to carry out the Moscow Declaration on the independence of Austria.
(Military Encyclopedia. Chairman of the Main Editorial Commission S. B. Ivanov. Milipovdat. Moscow. In 8 volumes -2004 G.G. ISBN 5 - 203 01875 - 8)

During April 9-10, Soviet troops with battles moved to the city center. For each quarter, and sometimes the brutal contractions flared up for a separate house.

Especially fierce resistance, the enemy rendered in the area of \u200b\u200bbridges through the Danube, since in the event of the Soviet troops to them, the entire grouping, defended Vienna, would be surrounded. Nevertheless, the strength of the Soviet troops continuously increased.

To the outcome of April 10, the defending German fascist troops were taken in vice. The enemy continued to resist only in the city center.

On the night of April 11, the forcing the Danube Canal by Soviet troops began. The last, final battles for Vienna unfolded.

After fierce fighting in the central part of the city and in blocks located on the north shore of the Danube Canal, the enemy garrison dissected into separate groups, and their destruction began. And by noon, April 13, Vienna was completely cleaned from the fascist troops.

The rapid and selfless actions of the Soviet troops did not allow the Gitlerians to destroy one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Soviet soldiers prevented the explosion of the imperial bridge across the Danube, as well as the destruction of many valuable architectural structures prepared for an explosion or marked by the Nazis during the retreat, among them the Cathedral of St. Stephen, Vienna Town Hall and others.

In honor of the victory over April 13, 1945 at 21.00, 24 artillery volley from 324 guns was given in Moscow.

To commemorate the victory of more than twenty compounds, distinguished in the battles behind Vienna, the name "Vienna" was assigned. The Soviet government established a medal "For the capture of Vienna", which all participants in the battle for the city were awarded.

Material prepared on the basis of open sources information

Vienna offensive operation, which was completed April 13, 1945 the liberation of the capital of Austria from the Wehrmacht was one of the brilliant offensive operations finalizing the Great Patriotic War. Therefore, at the same time she was and fairly simple, and incredibly hard. Such are the latest, decisive battles.
Relative ease of capturing the capital of Austria , relatively with other operations, was due to the fact that the Red Army has already worked out a scheme for the destruction of enemy groupings. In addition, by April 1945, our troops already felt the proximity of victory, and they could not be stopped. Although it was psychologically particularly difficult to fight at this time, people knew "a little more, a little bit, plus fatal fatigue.

It is clear that there was no weight : Our common losses in this operation are 168 thousand people (of which the dead are more than 38 thousand people). The Germans were desperately resisted, but their forces were already undermined - before that, the Red Army and the Wehrmacht in the Union with Hungarian parts were heavy battles in Hungary. Hitler ordered to keep Hungarian oilfields at any cost - the battle for Budapest and the subsequent Balatonian operation included the number of the most bloody battles of the Great Patriotic War.

Our troops entered Hungary in October 1944 Before, I spent the Belgorod operation, and only at the end of March 1945 reached Austria. The attitude of the population was different, if the Hungars mostly supported the Nazis, were hostile to the Red Army, the Austrians were neutral. Of course, they did not meet with flowers and bread, but there were no hostility.
Preparation for the operation


By 1945 Both warring parties have already been exhausted: moral and physically - soldiers and figs, economically - every country that has taken part in this bloody struggle. The tide of the new energy appeared when the German counteroffensive was falling near Lake Balaton. The forces of the Red Army were literally wedged into the defensive of the fascists, which forced the Germans to rapidly take measures to eliminate such "samples".

Home Danger for them, it was that Soviet troops in a new turn, about the seizure of Hungary could be forgotten for a long time. And if this country is lost, Austria will also soon be under the control of the Russians. At this time, in front of the fighters of the 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian fronts, the task arises - to divide the Germans in the area of \u200b\u200bLake Balaton no later than March 16th. At the same time, the forces of the 3rd UV should have applied a crushing blow to the enemy and already for the 15th of April to enter the line Tuln, St. Pelten, Noah-Lengbach.
Resources offensive

As on the liberation of veins There were high hopes of not only command, but also ordinary soldiers, the preparation for the operation began immediately. The main blow was to apply fighters of the Third Ukrainian Front. Depressed, with many losses among people and technology, they found the strength to prepare for the offensive. Replenishment by battle cars occurred not only due to the receipt of new specimens, but also thanks to the soldiers who recovered weapons as far as possible. At the time when the operation on the liberation of Vienna began, in the Arsenal of the 3rd Ukrainian Front there were: 18 rifle divisions; about two hundred tanks and sau (self-propelled-artillery installations); Almost 4,000 guns and mortars.

General evaluation of the operation

As already mentioned , unambiguously talk about ease or complexity, we cannot. On the one hand, the liberation of 1945, this is one of the fastest and most striking operations. On the other hand, these are essential human and material losses. It is easy to say that the capture of the capital of Austria passed simply, it is possible only at a discount that most other assaults are associated with significantly large human losses. The practically instant liberation of veins is also the result of the experience of the Soviet soldiers, since they have already been developed successful capture schemes. Do not forget about the special rates of the mood of our soldiers, which also played a considerable role in the successful resolution of the struggle for the capital of Austria. Fighters felt both victory and fatigue. But the understanding of the fact that every step forward is a direction for a quick return home, lifted the spirit.

Tasks before the onset

Vienna's liberation In fact, it starts from February since February, when the version of the stripping of Hungary began to be developed and then the expulsion of the fascists from Vienna. The exact plan was ready for the middle of March, and the 26th day of the same month before the Soviet offensive group (Russian and Romanian soldiers) was tasked - to attack and occupy the front of the pisces.

In the evening of that day The operation was performed only partially. In fierce battles, our army has undergone a lot of losses, but even with the onset of darkness, the fire did not stop. Already the next day, the enemy managed to squeeze the Nitra River.
Forces of the Red Army

Gradual Promotion It continued until April 5th (it was on this day that the liberation of Vienna with Soviet troops began). At 7.00 this day, the offensive was started on Bratislav. 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 the grueling battle of Bratislav was taken by the end of the day.

Parallel Soviet-Romanian troops Began to boost the Moravian River, however, in contrast to the take of the city, the task was not fulfilled at the same time. Until April 8, there were battles of local importance on this front, which prevented a relatively quiet crossing to the other side. On April 9, the forcing was completed. At three in the afternoon, our troops were able to cross the other coast. The military was collected in the Zverdorf to connect a little later with the individual parts of the 4th Guards VD. There were 10 T-34 tanks, 5 aircraft, Su-76 and Romanian SAU and 15 tanks.

Forces for the defense of the capital of Austria

Forces of the Red Army Pretty powerful German grouping opposed. So, the liberation of the 1945 Vienna would be possible subject to victory over:
* 8 tank and 1 infantry divisions;
* 15 Infantry battalions for folksturma (walking);
* all the composition of the Moscow Military School;
* The police from which 4 shelf created (this is over 6,000).

Moreover , do not forget about the advantage of the fascist side thanks natural resources. The West of the city was covered with mountains, the eastern and northern side was washed by almost insurmountable Danube, and the South Germans strengthened with anti-tank Rips, various fortification structures, dotami, trenches, feeding. Vienna herself was literally stuck hidden in the ruins of the weapon, the streets blocked the barricades, and the vintage buildings served as a kind of bastions.
Capture Plan

Objectively assessing the situation And realizing that the liberation of Vienna by Soviet troops would be far from the easiest, F. I. Tolbukhin plans to send strikes from 3ddle, thereby creating a panic among the command due to surprise. Three wings attacks should look like this: the 4th Guards Army, along with the 1st Guards Corps of Bili in the south-east. The 6th Guards Army would attack the southwestern side along with the 18th TC. The West, as the only way of waste, cut off the rest of the forces.

In this way , Natural protection would have turned into a fatal trap. It is also worth noting the attitude of the Soviet military to the values \u200b\u200bof the city: it was planned to minimize destruction in the capital. The plan was approved instantly. Capturing the position and cleaning of the city would have happened lightning, if not the strongest resistance.
Vienna's assault (April 5 - 13, 1945)


Stormat of the capital of Austria It was the final part of the Vienna offensive operation, which was from March 16 to April 15, 1945 by the 2nd (commander of the Marshal of the Soviet Union Rodion Malinovsky) and the 3rd Ukrainian fronts (commander of the Marshal of the Soviet Union Fyodor Tolbukhin) with the help of the 1st Bulgarian Army (Lieutenant-General V. Perechev). Her main goal was the defeat of the German troops in Western Hungary and East Austria.

Our troops oppose Part of the Army Group of Army "South" (Commander of the infantry general O. Veller, from April 7, Colonel-General L. Rendulich), part of the military of the Army Group "F" (Commander-in-Feldmarshal M. von Wehs), from March 25 Army Groups " E "(commander-General Colonel A. LER). The German Supreme Command attached to the protection of the Viennese direction is important, planning to stop the Soviet troops on these borders and keep in the mountainous and wooded areas of Austria, hoping to conclude the Separate World with England and the United States. However, on March 16 - April 4, the Soviet forces broke through German defense, defeated the forces of the South Army Group and went to the approaches to Vienna.

For the defense of the capital of Austria The German command has created a rather strong grouping of troops, its residues of the 8th tank and 1st infantry division from the 6th Tank Army of SS, who left the district of Lake Balaton, and about 15 separate infantry battalions and folksstur battalions were formed. The entire composition of the Vienna Military School was mobilized to the protection of Vienna, 4 shelf of 1.5 thousand people were created from the Vienna Police. Natural terrain conditions around the city favored the German side. From the West, Vienna covered the mountains of the mountains, and with the Northern and Eastern Parties - a powerful water barrier, wide and centurious Danube. On the south side, on the approaches to the city of the Germans created a powerful fortified area, which consisted of anti-tank pvv, a developed system of fortification facilities - trenches, dollars and sucks. On all tan hazardous directions on the external divorce of Vienna, the rally were erected, anti-tank and anti-personnel booms were installed.
Substantial part The Germans prepared their artillery for firing a straight flooring to enhance the anti-tank defense of the city. Firepoints for artillery were equipped in parks, gardens, squares and in the city's squares. In addition, in the destroyed houses of the city (from aviation strikes), guns and tanks were disguised, which were fire from the ambush. The streets of the city overlapped with numerous barricades, many stone buildings were adapted to long defense, becoming real bastions, in their windows, attics, firing points were equipped with cellars. All bridges in the city were mined. The German command planned to make the city by an insurmountable obstacle on the path of the Red Army, an impregnable fortress.

Commander of the 3rd Ukrainian Front F.I. Tolbukhin planned to take a city with the help of 3 simultaneous strikes: from the south-eastern side - the troops of the 4th Guards Army and the 1st Guards Room, with the South and South-Western Parties - the troops of the 6th Guards Tank Army with her Help the 18th tank corps and part of the troops of the 9th Guards Army. The remaining part of the forces of the 9th Guards Army was supposed to bypass Vienna from the West and cut off the waste path to the Nazis. At the same time, the Soviet command tried to prevent the destruction of the city, during the assault.

April 5, 1945 Soviet troops began operations to take veins from the south-east and south. At the same time, mobile connections that include tank and mechanized parts began bypassing the capital of Austria from the West. The enemy responded with fire and fierce contrasts of infantry with reinforced tanks, trying to prevent the promotion of Soviet troops to the city. Therefore, on the first day, despite the decisive actions of the troops of the Red Army, they failed to break the resistance of the enemy, the promotion forward was insignificant.
All the next day - On April 6, fierce battles were walking on the approaches to the city. By the evening of this day, Soviet troops were able to reach the southern and western outskirts of the city and broke into the surrounding suburbs of Vienna. Began stubborn battles already within the city. The forces of the 6th Guards Tank Army, made an obligatory maneuver, in difficult conditions of the Eastern Thieves of the Alps and went to the Western approaches of the city, and then on the south bank of the Danube. The German group was surrounded from three sides.

Soviet command Trying to prevent vain victims among the civilian population, to preserve the beautiful city and his historical heritage, on April 5, he turned to the population of the capital of Austria with a call to stay in his homes, in places and to help with Soviet soldiers, not allowing the Nazis to destroy the city. Many Austrians patriots their city responded to this call for the command of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, they helped Soviet soldiers in their difficult struggle for the liberation of Vienna.

By the end of the day on April 7 The forces of the right wing of the 3rd Ukrainian Front took part of the Vienna outskirts of Pressbaum and continued to move - east, north and west. On April 8, persistent battles continued in the city itself, the Germans created new barricades, the ruins, overlapping roads, installed mines, Fugas, were moved to the dangerous directions of guns, mortars. During April 9-10, Soviet forces continued to move towards the city center. Especially stubborn resistance Wehrmacht provided in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Imperial Bridge across the Danube, this was due to the fact that if the Soviet troops came to him, the entire German grouping in Vienna would be in full surroundings. The Danube Flotilla landed the landing to capture the imperial bridge, but the enemy's strong fire stopped it 400 meters from the bridge. Only the second landing, he was able to capture the bridge, not allowing him to blow. To the outcome of April 10, the defendant German group was completely surrounded, its last units had resisted only in the city center.

On the night of April 11, our troops Began to force the Danube Channel, the final battles for Vienna went. Having broken the resistance of the enemy in the central part of the capital and in blocks, which were located on the northern shore of the Danube Canal, the Soviet troops were cut off by an enemy garrison into separate groups. Began "stripping" of the city - to dinner on April 13, the city was completely released.
Results of the operation

- As a result of the offensive Soviet troops in the Vienna offensive operation was defeated by a large grouping of the Wehrmacht. The forces of the 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian fronts were able to complete the liberation of Hungary, took the eastern regions of Austria along with her capital - Vienna. Berlin has lost control over another major industrial center of Europe - the Viennese Industrial District, including the economically important Niakanizh oil area. The road to Prague and Berlin, from the south, was opened. The USSR marked the beginning of the restoration of the statehood of Austria.

- Fast and dedicated actions of the troops of the Red Army did not allow the Wehrmacht to destroy one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Soviet soldiers were able to prevent the explosion of the Imperial Bridge across the River Danube, as well as the destruction of many other valuable architectural structures, which the Germans prepared for an explosion or were set fire to the vermickue parts during the retreat, among them and the Cathedral of St. Stephen, and the Vienna Town Hall and other structures.

- In honor of the once-old brilliant victory Soviet troops April 13, 1945 at 21.00 in the capital of the USSR - Moscow was given a victorious salute 24 artillery volley from 324 guns.

- To commemorate this victory 50 combat compounds who distinguished themselves in the battle of Vienna received the honorary name "Vienna". In addition, the Soviet government established a medal "For the capture of Vienna", which all participants in the fighting for the capital of Austria were awarded. In Vienna in August 1945, a monument was established in the Schwarzenbergplatz Squarers in honor of Soviet soldiers who died in battles for the liberation of Austria.
Losses for fascist Germany

As for the losses for Berlin So it is a loss of control over the largest industrial center Western Europe - Viennese industrial area, and also lost the battle for the Nastridge Petroleum field. Without it, nearby fuel production factories remained without raw materials. Thus, the German technique lost mobility, and the command was forced to withdraw her deep into the conquered territories, which allowed Soviet troops to quickly move forward. The resistance was provided only by infantry compounds that could not give serious opposite to the enemy, while under artillery shelling. There is a direct threat to the defeat of Germany, and, as a result, the surrender of the fascist troops.

The behavior of the German command It was deprived of honor and dignity. The soldiers showed themselves as a crowd of barbarians and vandals, which destroyed the most beautiful and large cathedrals of the city, and also tried to blow the maximum number of monuments. And leaving the city, they mined the imperial bridge. Memory and celebration since 1945 in Vienna annually on April 13th celebrated the day of liberation of the city from German invaders. On one of the streets established the Museum of Liberation of Vienna. And a day, when the city left the enemies, 24 volley from three hundred guns were given in Moscow.

After some time, It was decided to establish a new award for participants in these events - medal "For Liberation of Vienna" . Today, in addition to the museum, this fierce battles resembles a monument to the fallen soldiers on Schwarzenbergplatz Square, which was installed in the same 1945 at the very beginning of the restoration of the city and the whole country. It is made in the form of a smoothly standing fighter. In one hand, the soldier holds a banner, put another on the shield in the form of the coat of arms of the USSR. Some details of modern masters were painted yellow. To commemorate this victory, 50 combat compounds distinguished themselves in the battle for Vienna, awarded the honorary name "Viennese".
Memories of Ivan Nikonovich Moshaka , became a fighter of the Red Army in 1929. In the thirty-eight years of service, he passed the way from ordinary to the general. For heroism and courage shown in battles on Lake Hassan, I.N. Moshakov received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. During the Great Patriotic War, I.N. Moshak commanded the 62nd Guards Rifle Division. Under his command, the warriors of the division participated in the forcing of the Dnieper, in the Korsun-Shevchenko and Yaskovo-Chisheven operations, in liberation from the German-fascist invaders of Hungary and Austria. All of this is about the intense work of his headquarters, about the exploits of fighters, commanders, political workers of the Division - and tells Major General I. N. Moshak in his book.

Liberation of Vienna


In autumnWhen the division quickly forced the Danube and began to move quickly to the north-west, many of us seemed that the enemy was broken and was not able to seriously resist us. But life has shown the opposite. The closer our troops were suitable for the Reich borders, the resistance of the enemy became stubborn.
In two weeks offensive The division was exhausted by rapid marches and tense battles. But despite this, the offensive gusting of the troops increased every day, the martial spirit of the Guards was unusually high.
... stood warm April days . Sky - solid blue, nor cloud. At night, it became cooler: they were given themselves to know the snow from the near-Eastern Alps.
Rent from Schopron The enemy pursued two division regiments on two parallel roads. The 186th regiment was a task not to give the Nazis to tear away from us and organize the defense of the town of Eisenstadt. The 182nd regiment of the forced march was moving toward this town, hurried to bypass him and cut off the Germans to the Germans. On the enemy's shoulders, the colambeth regiment broke into the first Austrian city, lying on his way, and mastered it. Hostile infantry regiment It was defeated from the front and from the rear. More than three hundred German soldiers and officers were killed, up to two hundred of the Nazis, including the wounded, surrendered.
Painted first successes On the Austrian Earth, the shelves of the Division rushed forward. But the enemy has already managed to cover the approach to Vienna by defensive turns.
On the path of the Division There was a strong fortified defense assembly - the town of Schwechat, who was the southern suburb of Vienna. After an intense art preparation, all three shelves attacked the enemy and wedged into his defense for three kilometers. West Plot. The breakthrough was the town of Ebepurt. I ordered Mogilev and Colmbeth to get around the city from the north and overlap all the roads. Grozov regiment came to the town from the East.
And now the Colbeth reported, That his regiment with the battle mastered the village of Verbach northeastern Ebepfurt. The enemy, feeling the threat of the environment, began to move away. By evening, Ebepfurt was in our hands.
... ahead, in heights - Defensive Outlook of Schwechat, Vienna suburbs. At eleven hours, after the powerful artillery training, the 186th and 182th shelf - the first echelon of the division - with the support of the division of self-propelled guns moved to the offensive. Our artillery continued to fill the position of the enemy, covering the fire at attacking infantry. The first and second trench were taken after a short hand-to-hand fight. The regimental regiment of the 252nd German infantry division could not stand the head of the Guards and began to hurry. In the second half of the day, the shelves of Colimeth and Grozov, from the course of seizing several supporting points, advanced to eight kilometers, breaking the defense of the enemy to the entire depth. Also successfully moved forward the 7th Infantry Division - our right neighbor.
It would seem that everything went well. But to the outcome of the day, the Nazis pulled into the SESS part and counterattacked the 182nd regiment, sweating his right flank.
It was impossible to break a minute: The tanks of the enemy could break through at the junction of the 182nd and 186th regiments. I had to quit a regiment of Mogilevsev, who was in the second echelon. And I so wanted to save it fresh for the storming of Schweat. At midnight I learned: the 184th regiment stopped the enemy, in cooperation with the 186th regiment hit the Germans to the flank and forced them to retreat them. During the night, all three regiments have advanced by seven kilometers and went to Schweat.
In the morning I brought the 184th regiment From the battle and ordered Mogilevtsev to make a deep bypass maneuver, cut the road to the north of the city, tighten the artillery and retain a busy frontier, thereby burning the enemy to retreat.
In the morning, the fight for Swedkhat began. The city was obscured by two lines of trenches, the houses were turned into firing points. Under the cover of tanks and self-propelled guns of the 182nd and 186th shelves went to the attack. The Germans conducted an intensive fire, especially in the 182nd regiment. The first two attempts to approach enemy trenches failed. After a short fire fleet, the 182nd regiment began the offensive again. Major Danko personally led the attack of his battalion, and his fighters were first broken into the trench.
In this battle again distinguished - In which once! - Commander of the branches of Tretyakov machine gunners. The fighters of his separation, choosing from the first trench, leading on the move fire from automata, reworked the second trenches. And at that time, the ordinary Voronets sent by the Tretyakov forward crawled to the dumplings and threw a grenade into the ambrusura. The machine gun was silent. The machine gunners overcame the last ten meters to the second trench and knocked out from the Germans. Soon the platoon under the command of Lieutenant Mamedov and the platoon of anti-tank cannons. The guardsmen managed to capture the village not far from the outskirts of the city. However, the Germans counted the village and surrounded the divisions that escaped forward. Mamedov ordered to take a circular defense.
And at this time the main power of the regiment Having taught the first trench, they came across a powerful defense assembly, covered the city from the East. The offensive stalled. I went to the thunderstorm. When the regiment arrived at the NP, Thunderstorms reported, which was put forward by the 3rd battalion of the defense assembly. But from the east, the road covered the trench with machine-gun nests. With the NP, the shelf was visible as the companies pressed with dense fire machine guns and mortars, lay down.
Thunderstorms, always calm and weathered, bit her lip . Do not break off from stereotrub, threw a connected: - Lieutenant Krapivinsky, alive!
"Familiar surname" - I thought. A high rosy lieutenant descended into the trench. Well, of course, the one who is once under Corsun-Shevchenkovsky worn elderly Sergeant Ivanov. The lieutenant's chest had two stripes for injury, the Order of the Patriotic War II degree and the Order of the Red Star. In the face of Karapivinsky, there was no longer that youth roundness, and the gun from the top of the lip disappeared under the razor, only a blush remained a confused smile.
Having introduced me The lieutenant reported Thunderstorm about what arrived. Lieutenant Colonel invited him to take a stereotrub and, while he watched, explained the situation in two words. - Take the plot of automatic gunners, go out to the rear to the enemy, covering the road, and destroy it. The last reserve was allowed ... "the thunderstorms sighed.
Soon we saw As the car gun led by Kratyvinsky - he highlighted his height - they went to the road and, leading fire from automata, threw the trench with grenades. Immediately the 3rd battalion took the road and attacked the defense knot from the rear, the 1st battalion hit from the front. After half an hour, the Nazis, defended the support point, folded the weapon.
Department of Tretyakova, The artillery platoon and the platoon of Mamedov, taking a circular defense, fought surrounded until they were released by the Danko battalion. By noon, the 182nd regiment broke into the eastern outskirts of Schweat. At this time, the 184th regiment, bypassing the city, blocked the road and began to create a durable defense in a busy turn.
All day and all night Did the soldiers of the non-dangling dry land. And at the dawn of the next day, departing from Schwell and other towns under the blows of our and neighboring divisions of the opponent's columns with tanks and self-propellas were forced to stop in front of the defensive positions of the regiment who met their destructive fire. Immediately, the Nazis turned into a battle order and attacked, trying to break off the defense of the regiment with the go. It did not succeed. But the attacks of the enemy continued all day. The Germans threw more and more and more Tanks and armored personnel carriers with infantry. Despite the numerical superiority of the enemy, the Guards held steadfastly. Artillery direct vendor beat on tanks, ragged fire scattered enemy infantry. Making sure that the frontal blows would not achieve anything, the next day the opponent began to cover the position of the 184th regiment from the flanks and closed around him the ring of the environment. Guardsmen took a circular defense. They perfectly understood their task: to tie the fights of the opponent.
In the evening of the second day Surrounded ammunition ended. Mogilyvtsev decided to escape from the enemy rings. At night, the unexpected attack of the regiment broke through the position of the Nazis and left the environment. In the morning, the regiment division was connected to the main forces of the division.

Standing sunny April day. Even in one gymnaster was hot. Probably, the larks are inappropriate now ... And I looked at the heights of the height, taken by the river, the Valley of the River, trembling the Marevo over the fields. I thought about how to take a height with a mark of 220 without a big track. Its greenish-red humps clearly loomed on the opponating sky. Last night I called me a commander of the building General Kozak. We converted in a joking tone: - Do you want, Ivan Nikonovich, see Vienna? - Who does not want it? The whole army dreams. "So give me a pleasure and army so much pleasure - tomorrow to nine zero-zero take the height of two hundred twenty, behind it - Vienna." When I leaving the joke, General Kozak discussed with me the issues of interaction with the othern.
And now, Looking at the height, then on the map, I decide the question: how? Gradually comes clarity. The 184th regiment should get around the heights at night and to be at the northern foot of the height of 220. The plan of the upcoming battle discussed with Mogilevtsev. Decided that the dust battalion will send ahead. He will have to start a workaround of the day. The battalon appeared after noon. I was on NP Mogilevtseva and looked forward to the first messages. And now I finally have dyskhai from the radio. - I knocked out the enemy from the settlement, the village of the village, attacked ...
Battalion Dust one after another captured three more movements settlements. The latter was located on the river bank. Departing, the Germans rushed across the bridge. The kelners instantly realized that the bridge was mined and flew into the air as soon as the Germans were on the beach. Without losing a second, Kombat gave an order to pursue the victorious Nazis. Bringing into the arrangement of the enemy on the opposite shore, the sappers immediately cut the wire and started demining. Leaving the barrier from the bridge, the dysktov led the battalion to a large village, produced by a reference point of the enemy. The emergence of our soldiers on the north bank of the river was so unexpected, and their onslaught so rapid that the opponent fled. But then the promotion slowed down. The Nazis thrown to the battalion of the Dog's mouth with two tanks. Four shots, artilleryrs beat both tanks, and the infantry retreated. After an hour and a half at the Guards of the Dog, the infantry battalion was moved with a tenth of tanks and self-propelled. The battle lasted until the evening, and again the enemy went away, leaving on the battlefield to hundreds of dead and wounded and four burning tanks. Soon, the battalion soon came up with the entire regiment. The time of the 182nd and 186th shelf, knocking the opponent's barriers, began to move to height from the front. To eight o'clock in the morning, the height of 220 was taken. With the captured height in front of us opened panorama of the Austrian capital. In a light haze, the races of sharp gothic roofs, the spiers of the cathedrals, factory pipes ... Roller Dunai to the right. Easy bridges were hung over the channels. For the Mastering Vienna, the Supreme Commanding rate attracted the 46th Army of the 2nd Ukrainian Front, 4th, 9th Guards General and 6th Guards Tank Army of the 3rd Ukrainian Front. 9th and 6th Tank Guards Army bypassed the city from the South-West and the West, the 46th Army moved from the east and southeast. Our 4th Guards Army fell from the south and southeast.
62nd Guards Rifle Division The way to Vienna paced himself through the uninformed valley between the spurs of the Eastern Alps and the lake Nyosidler-Ze. Next to us, the 1st Guards Mechanized and the 20th Guards Rifle Corps were promoted. Our division groups and neighboring connections under the cover of tanks and self-propelled goods rushed into the outskirts of Vienna. Shooting, garnate breaks, shouts "Hurray!" ...
Factory and factory buildings the Germans left quickly because between them lay waste uncomfortable for defense. And in narrow streets and alleys they had strong resistance. Except, perhaps, became a car factory. Gitlerians sat down for embankment railway In the basements of the factory hull and beat from the machine guns, not giving promotion to our assault groups. Major Pupkov rose along with the Muncher Luzhansky on the flat roof of a low house on this side of the mound and saw the volume of the volumetric tanks near the factory building, similar to oil. - And well, researched on them! He shouted to Lujansky. A machine gunner installed Maxim and gave a queue. Of them splashed water. - Bay in the tanks, - ordered the coat machine guncher, - we will turn fascists. When the water poured into the cellars with a strong stream, the Nazis began to pop up from there and rushed to run away.
Storm detachments The Danko battalion approached a high building, in the second floor of which a German machine gunner fell. He kept under firing two streets leading to the center.
Guardian we decided to overcome the fascist. While the armor-heater Kuliyev led the fire on the machine gunner, on the roof of the house on the fire staircase settled

April 13, 2010 marks 65 years since the liberation of Vienna from the fascist invaders.

April 13, 1945, after conducting a Vienna offensive operation, the capital of Austria Vienna was liberated by the Soviet army. The Vienna offensive operation was carried out by the 2nd troops (commander of the Marshal of the Soviet Union Rodion Malinovsky) and the 3rd (commander of the Marshal of the Soviet Union Fyodor Tolbukhin) of the Ukrainian fronts.

The German command attached to the defense of the Vienna area of \u200b\u200bgreat importance, hoping to stop the Soviet troops and to resist in the Mining and wooded areas of Austria in the hope of concluding a separate world with England and the United States. However, on March 16 - April 4, Soviet troops broke through enemy defense, defeated the South Army Group and went on the approach to Vienna.

For the Defense of the Austrian capital, the fascist command was created by a large grouping of troops, which included 8 tank divisions who were separated from the region of Oz. Balaton, and one infantry and about 15 separate infantry battalions and folksturma battalions consisting of 15-16 years old. The entire garrison was mobilized to protect the veins, including fire teams.

Natural terrain conditions favored the defending side. From the West, the city covers the ridge of mountains, and from the north and east - a wide and centurous Danube. On the southern approaches to the city, the Germans built a powerful fortified area, consisting of anti-tank pvv, a widely developed system of the trenches and trenches and many dollars and sucks.

A significant part of the enemy artillery was installed for shooting direct vending. Artillery's firing positions were placed in parks, gardens, squares and in squares. In the destroyed houses, guns and tanks were disguised, designed to keep fire from the ambush. The Hitler's command intended to make the city an insurmountable obstacle on the path of Soviet troops.

The plan of the Supreme Compact rate of the Soviet Army prescribed to make the liberation of Vienna the troops of the right wing of the 3rd Ukrainian Front. Part of the troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front had to cross the southern shores of the Danube to the North. After that, these troops had to cut off the waste of the Vienna grouping of the enemy to the north.

On April 5, 1945, Soviet troops began storming veins from the south-east and south. At the same time, tank and mechanized troops began bypassing veins from the west. The opponent with strong fire from all types of weapons and contrasts of infantry and tanks tried to prevent the breakthrough of the Soviet troops to the city. Therefore, despite the decisive actions of the troops of the Soviet Army, they did not manage to break the opponent's resistance during April 5, and they just moved slightly forward.

All day on April 6, stubborn battles were going on on the approaches to the city. In the evening, Soviet troops came out to the southern and Western outskirts of Vienna and broke into the surrounding part of the city. Store stubborn battles in the drawing of Vienna. The troops of the 6th Guards Tank Army, having committed a major maneuver, in difficult conditions of the Eastern Turns of the Alps, went to the Western approaches to Vienna, and then to the southern coast of the Danube. The enemy grouping was surrounded from three sides.

Wanting to prevent in vain victims among the population, to preserve the city and save its historical monuments, the command of the 3rd Ukrainian front on April 5 turned to the population of Vienna with calls to remain in the places and to dine Soviet soldiers, not to give the fascists to destroy the city. Many Austrian patriots responded to the appeal of the Soviet command. They helped Soviet soldiers in their difficult struggle against the enemy fallen in the fortified quarters.

By the evening, on April 7, the troops of the right wing of the 3rd Ukrainian front were part of the forces of the Vienna outskirts, and began to spread fan - east, north and west.

On April 8, the battles in the city were even more stressful. The enemy used for defense large stone buildings, built the barricades, arranged the ruins on the streets, installed mines and Fugasi. Germans "worst" implements and mortars, tank ambushes, anti-aircraft artillery, and Faust-cartridges are widely used.

On April 9, the Soviet government published a statement in which he confirmed its decision to carry out the Moscow Declaration on the independence of Austria.
(Military Encyclopedia. Chairman of the Main Editorial Commission S. B. Ivanov. Milipovdat. Moscow. In 8 volumes -2004 G.G. ISBN 5 - 203 01875 - 8)

During April 9-10, Soviet troops with battles moved to the city center. For each quarter, and sometimes the brutal contractions flared up for a separate house.

Especially fierce resistance, the enemy rendered in the area of \u200b\u200bbridges through the Danube, since in the event of the Soviet troops to them, the entire grouping, defended Vienna, would be surrounded. Nevertheless, the strength of the Soviet troops continuously increased.

To the outcome of April 10, the defending German fascist troops were taken in vice. The enemy continued to resist only in the city center.

On the night of April 11, the forcing the Danube Canal by Soviet troops began. The last, final battles for Vienna unfolded.

After fierce fighting in the central part of the city and in blocks located on the north shore of the Danube Canal, the enemy garrison dissected into separate groups, and their destruction began. And by noon, April 13, Vienna was completely cleaned from the fascist troops.

The rapid and selfless actions of the Soviet troops did not allow the Gitlerians to destroy one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Soviet soldiers prevented the explosion of the imperial bridge across the Danube, as well as the destruction of many valuable architectural structures prepared for an explosion or marked by the Nazis during the retreat, among them the Cathedral of St. Stephen, Vienna Town Hall and others.

In honor of the victory over April 13, 1945 at 21.00, 24 artillery volley from 324 guns was given in Moscow.

To commemorate the victory of more than twenty compounds, distinguished in the battles behind Vienna, the name "Vienna" was assigned. The Soviet government established a medal "For the capture of Vienna", which all participants in the battle for the city were awarded.

Material prepared on the basis of open sources information