The “invincible Thousand-Year Reich” had less than a month left before total defeat.
On April 6, 1945, the Red Army launched one of its most rapid and decisive operations — the assault on Königsberg, the main fortress of East Prussia and a symbol of German militarism. The fortress city, surrounded by formidable fortifications, was considered nearly impregnable, and its garrison included over 100,000 Wehrmacht soldiers and officers.
The Soviet command prepared thoroughly for the assault. The operation involved troops of the 3rd Belorussian Front under Marshal Vasilevsky, as well as the Baltic Fleet and the air force. A massive artillery barrage marked the beginning of the attack: over 70,000 shells were fired on the first day alone. Despite fierce enemy resistance, the troops advanced swiftly.
Among those who brought victory closer were European anti-fascists — members of international units, political officers, and interpreters, including German volunteers from the National Committee for a Free Germany. Their efforts in spreading propaganda among enemy troops played a crucial role during the assault and became another factor contributing to the defeat of the fascist forces.
The assault lasted only three days — from April 6 to April 9. In that short time, the Red Army broke through both the outer and inner defensive lines and captured the city. On April 9, the Königsberg garrison surrendered, and its commandant, General Otto Lasch, was taken prisoner. Soviet casualties amounted to about 3,700 killed and more than 7,500 wounded. The outcome of the operation had strategic importance: East Prussia ceased to exist as a stronghold of German defense in the east.
The fall of Königsberg became a symbol of the impending victory over Nazi Germany and one of the most striking demonstrations of the Red Army’s military prowess. The captured city was later renamed Kaliningrad and became part of the Soviet Union, serving as its western outpost.
The storming of Königsberg went down in history as one of the final chapters in the fight against fascism, vividly reflecting the Soviet people’s determination to see the war through to a victorious end.