Seelow Heights

Encyclopedia : S : SE : SEE : Seelow Heights

The Seelow Heights are situated around the town Seelow, about 60 miles (90 kilometres) east of Berlin and overlook the western flood plain of the River Oder which is a further 12 miles (20 km) to the east.

They are sometimes known as the "Gates To Berlin" because the main West-East route out of Berlin runs through them.

World War II

During April 1945 the Battle of the Seelow Heights saw some the heaviest fighting of World War II between the German defenders and the Soviet attackers. Many localized Soviet attacks were held back by remnants of Wehrmacht division. In the end, the Russians lost more men than the Germans did, but the Soviet advances could not be held off for long. After several days of heavy fighting the Soviets managed to break through the defences and fight their way into the German capital in the Battle of Berlin.

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