Fiery Finale ETO (id:#61311)

(Schwerpunkt #17 ID: SP202)   [next]   [previous]

Paretz, Germany 1945-04-24 (10 others)

Overview:

The 35th Guards Mechanized Brigade was given the mission to encircle Berlin from the south. Upon reaching the Havel River, volunteers from the 1st Company swam it to retrieve a barge, and quietly ferried the company across. On the north bank, the 1st Company stealthily observed four Tigers camouflaged in the blooming gardens of town, and began to arrange for a surprise attack – including 57mm AT guns that were ferried across, positioning of tanks south of the river, and coordination for artillery strikes. Suddenly, their company commander, who during several weeks of fighting stayed hidden at rear headquarters, showed up from nowhere, and yelled at the troops to follow his charge into town. Several of the soldiers ran forward, thereby foiling the carefully planned trap. As the company commander’s charge approached town, a hidden flamethrowing halftrack appeared. . .

Defender: Russian (35th Guards Mechanized Brigade, 4th Tank Army, 7th Cavalry Corps, and 47th Army)  

Errata (source)