Berlin 1945

16-19 April 1945

At 05.00 on 16 April 1945, Operation Berlin started with an enormous artillery barrage on the forward German lines defending the Seelow Heights. After about 20 minutes, 143 searchlights were turned on to light the way for the assault formations, while the barrage moved on deeper into the German positions. In many instances, these added to the confusion as they threw up strange reliefs or failed to pierce the gloom ahead. Gradually, the tanks and self-propelled guns began to flounder over the marshy terrain, losing touch with the infantry and upsetting the coordination of the attack. As Chuikov's forces closed in on the Haupt Canal, the only bridges left standing were covered by German fire and the attack came to a complete stop as the Soviets tried to bring bridging equipment up, causing a massive traffic jam. Zhukov's forces managed to clear the first line of German defences, but another line was on top of the Seelow Heights themselves, which were extremely difficult for armour to traverse. As the tanks fanned out, seeking ways up the slope, they ran into the fortified strongpoints of Friedersdorf and Dolgelin. Zhukov then decided to commit his two tank armies in force to try and smash his way over the heights. The 1st Guards Tank Army would support the 8th Guards Army, while the 2nd Guards Tank Army would support the 5th Shock Army. The commitment of these units made the traffic problems even worse and hampered redeployment of the artillery which was needed to support the infantry in their assaults.