HetzersGonnaHetz Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 I was just wondering about the Soviet assault on Berlin in April 1945, and hoped you guys could supply me with some statistics on each stage of the battle. Thanks, Harvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Libertesoe Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 Some general stats to start you off.....hope this helps! Germany's Strengths:1,000,000 soldiers (also children and elderly) 10,400 artillery 1,500 tanks 3,300 aircraftCasualties and Losses:Exact losses unknown Estimate: 400,000 killed or wounded 500,000 POW This is also a very good site that breaks down each stage of the battle http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_berlin.html#allies Soviet's Strengths:2,500,000 soldiers 41,600 artillery 6,250 tanks 7,500 aircraftCasualties and Losses:360,000 dead or missing1,997 tanks 2,108 artillery pieces 917 aircraft 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HetzersGonnaHetz Posted March 5, 2016 Author Share Posted March 5, 2016 Thank you very much @Libertesoe, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OD33 Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 On 3/4/2016 at 18:52, Libertesoe said: Some general stats to start you off.....hope this helps! Germany's Strengths:1,000,000 soldiers (also children and elderly) 10,400 artillery 1,500 tanks 3,300 aircraftCasualties and Losses:Exact losses unknown Estimate: 400,000 killed or wounded 500,000 POW This is also a very good site that breaks down each stage of the battle http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_berlin.html#allies Soviet's Strengths:2,500,000 soldiers 41,600 artillery 6,250 tanks 7,500 aircraftCasualties and Losses:360,000 dead or missing1,997 tanks 2,108 artillery pieces 917 aircraft Ya know...these figures have bothered for some time. Urban warfare is a meat grinder for the assaulting force, while casualties of the defending force is generally much lower. If these figures are correct, that would mean the Wehrmacht must have relied heavily on the Volksturm and hastily organized units comprising of ill-trained conscripts. Seems I read that during the last few months of the war, basic training for Heer soldiers was reduced to only 4 weeks and then they were thrown into combat. But, if Berlin was defended by seasoned veterans then, in my opinion, the Soviets should have had much higher casualties. Has anyone researched the actual WH units defending Berlin? I know some Waffen SS troops(French?) were there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HetzersGonnaHetz Posted March 16, 2016 Author Share Posted March 16, 2016 Oui Oui mon amis... I think it was the 33rd SS Charlemagne.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Libertesoe Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 No specific breakdown re personnel attached to specific units but this lists the order of battle...... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_battle_for_the_Battle_of_Berlin Even a suggestion that a member of the Britische Freikorps was there as well! I also believe that the Volksturm/ Youth were heavily involved in fighting as many Whermacht units disappeared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OD33 Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 35 minutes ago, Libertesoe said: No specific breakdown re personnel attached to specific units but this lists the order of battle...... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_battle_for_the_Battle_of_Berlin Even a suggestion that a member of the Britische Freikorps was there as well! I also believe that the Volksturm/ Youth were heavily involved in fighting as many Whermacht units disappeared. Thanks for the link! It looks like some divisions were from non-infantry branches forced into infantry service in the final months... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HetzersGonnaHetz Posted March 17, 2016 Author Share Posted March 17, 2016 Yes they were, Volksgrenadier Divisions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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