East Prussian offensive
The East Prussian offensive began on the 13th of January 1945 with a heavy preparatory bombardment. Soviet command structure placed the main thrust under Ivan Chernyakhovsky and his 3rd Belorussian Front. Their specific goal was to drive westwards toward Königsberg against defensive positions held by the 3rd Panzer Army and 4th Army. These northern armies belonged to Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt's Army Group Centre. From the north, General Hovhannes Bagramyan's 1st Baltic Front attacked the 3rd Panzer Army on the Neman River. This force also aimed to crush a small bridgehead at Memel. On the left flank, Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky commanded the 2nd Belorussian Front. His initial orders directed him to push northwest to the Vistula River. This movement intended to seal off the entire region of East Prussia from German reinforcement.
At first, the Red Army made disappointing progress during the opening days of combat. The 3rd Belorussian Front gained just 1.5 kilometers on that very first day. Over the next five days, Soviet forces managed to advance only a further 20 kilometers. They suffered very high casualties while trying to penetrate these defenses. Eventually, after almost two weeks of severe fighting, steady progress began to emerge. This success came at the price of heavy losses for the attacking troops. The defenders possessed substantial fortifications in the Insterburg Gap east of Königsberg. Additional strong points existed around Heilsberg which slowed the Soviet advance significantly. The 3rd Panzer Army of Generaloberst Erhard Raus was largely destroyed or withdrew into Königsberg during this period. General der Infanterie Friedrich Hossbach's 4th Army found itself outflanked by the persistent pressure.
Rokossovsky attacked across the Narew River against fierce resistance on the 14th of January. On the 20th of January he received orders to swing his axis northward toward Elbing. This sudden change of direction caught Reinhardt and Hossbach completely by surprise. On Rokossovsky's right flank, the 3rd Guards Cavalry Corps captured the major town of Allenstein on the 22nd of January. This action threatened the rear of Hossbach's formation directly. By the 24th of January, leading tank units had reached the shore of the Vistula Lagoon. They severed land communications with the rest of German armed forces for the entire 4th Army. Several divisions of the 2nd Army were now trapped in a pocket centered on East Prussia. On that same day, Hossbach began pulling his units back from the fortified town of Lötzen. He attempted to break out westward through a series of forced marches while his command structure collapsed around him.
With remnants of Army Group Centre effectively contained, Soviet forces concentrated on reducing German troops in Pomerania. Reinhardt and Hossbach were relieved of command after failing to save their troops. The Army Group was redesignated as Army Group North under Generaloberst Lothar Rendulic. Reinhardt gave up his command with the words There is nothing more to say. Some 15 divisions of the 4th Army became encircled on the shore of the Vistula Lagoon. This area became known as the Heiligenbeil Pocket. After bitter fighting these units were finally overcome on the 29th of March. The remnants of the 3rd Panzer Army became isolated in the siege of Königsberg. The city was taken by the Soviets after massive casualties on both sides on the 9th of April. Otto Lasch served as commander of Festung Königsberg during this intense siege period. Remaining German forces around the Bight of Danzig reorganized into Armee Ostpreußen under Dietrich von Saucken.
The third group of German forces occupied the Samland Peninsula where the port of Pillau remained active. This location served as the last effective evacuation point for the entire region. XXVIII Army Corps or Armeeabteilung Samland fell under General der Infanterie Hans Gollnick. The last elements were cleared from Pillau on the 25th of April during the Samland offensive. Even after this time, German forces continued to resist on the Vistula Spit. This long sandbar enclosed the Vistula Lagoon and held out until the end of the war. Some German units did not surrender until the country itself surrendered on the 9th of May. The battle concluded with victory for the Red Army despite the prolonged resistance. Soviet forces had successfully eliminated any possible threat to their northern flank before advancing toward Berlin.
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Common questions
When did the East Prussian offensive begin?
The East Prussian offensive began on the 13th of January 1945 with a heavy preparatory bombardment. Soviet command structure placed the main thrust under Ivan Chernyakhovsky and his 3rd Belorussian Front.
Who commanded the 3rd Belorussian Front during the East Prussian offensive?
Ivan Chernyakhovsky commanded the 3rd Belorussian Front as part of the East Prussian offensive. His specific goal was to drive westwards toward Königsberg against defensive positions held by the 3rd Panzer Army and 4th Army.
What happened to Generaloberst Georg-Hans Reinhardt after the East Prussian offensive failed?
Reinhardt gave up his command after failing to save his troops in the East Prussian offensive. He stated There is nothing more to say before being relieved of duty while the Army Group was redesignated as Army Group North under Generaloberst Lothar Rendulic.
On what date was Königsberg taken by the Soviets during the East Prussian offensive?
The city of Königsberg was taken by the Soviets on the 9th of April following massive casualties on both sides. Otto Lasch served as commander of Festung Königsberg during this intense siege period.
When did German forces finally surrender at Pillau during the East Prussian offensive?
The last elements were cleared from Pillau on the 25th of April during the Samland offensive. Some German units did not surrender until the country itself surrendered on the 9th of May.