Storm of Kyonigsberg(Kyonigsberg operation)

The storm of Konigsberg(Konigsberg operation)

Storm of Konigsberg (April, 6-9th 1945) — strategic military operation of armed forces of the USSR against German armies during the Great Patriotic War for the purpose of liquidation Konigsberg's groups of the opponent and capture of Konigsberg.

Parity of forces

Germany USSR130.000 persons 250.000 persons

about 4.000 tools and mortars

5.200 tools and mortars

108 tanks and assault tools

538 tanks and SAI

170 planes 2.400 planes

German command has taken all possible measures to prepare a fortress for long resistance. There was three rings of defense in Konigsberg. The first was in 6-8 kilometers from city center and consisted of tranches, an anti-tank ditch, wire entanglements and minefields. The second ring of defense passed on suburbs of a city and consisted of stone buildings, barricades, weapon emplacements at crossroads and mine obstacles. The third ring, in city center, consisted of 9 bastions, towers and ravelins.

The Soviet armies should strike to Konigsberg blows in converging directions simultaneously from the north and from the south for an environment and destruction of German groups. Also held down blow was planned for Pillau on Zemland group of the opponent. Long art preparation has been spent from April, 2 till 5 before operation.

Despite long art preparation, calculations of the Soviet armies didn't include city utter annihilation. Has been allowed to keep the order the Royal castle building. As the reason for it the finding has served in the lock of the Amber room which have been taken out by Germans from the USSR in Kоnigsberg. However during storm to preserve the Royal castle it was not possible. After a capture of a city of the Amber room in museum halls it has not appeared. Searches are conducted and now, but anything till now isn't found.

Approach of armies of front has begun on April, 6th. For storm of strengthenings 26 assault groups and 104 assault groups — both from structure of shooting parts, and from engineering armies — ten engineering-sapper the brigades, three assault engineering-sapper the brigades, two motorized engineering brigades and one pontoon brigade have been created.Besides, chemical armies participated in storm — 7 separate fire-throwing battalions, a company of demolition flame throwers and 5 separate mouths satchel flame throwers. These divisions have been distributed on assault groups and assault groups.

Germans showed persistent resistance, however by an outcome of day 39th army has put in its defense on some kilometers and cut railway Konigsberg-Pillau. 43rd, 50th and 11th Guards armies have broken through 1st defensive contour. After two days the Soviet armies have grasped port and a city railway junction, industrial targets and cut off garrison Konigsberg from Zemland groups of Germans.

After the massed bombardment and storm of a fortress by 11th Guards army, on April, 9th the German garrison capitulated by order of general Ljash who has signed the certificate about capitulation. On April, 10th basically last centers of resistance of Germans in Konigsberg have been liquidated. On tower Der Don the victory Banner has been set up. In a captivity was taken 93853 German military men, 1652 mortars, 128 planes, grasped more than two thousand tools.

In fights for Kyonigsberg were lost more than 150 thousand Soviet soldiers and officers, about 200 soldiers became Heroes of Soviet Union.Storm end was celebrated by highest category of salute. In Moscow 324 tools have made 24 artillery volleys, has been founded the medal «For a capture of Konigsberg», 98 military units have received the name "Konigsbergsky".

The presentation was made by Shikov Artem 9 класс «Б»and Kotelnikov Nikita, pupils 9 “B” class.