Europe At War: A WW2 Podcast

The battle of Berlin begins in earnest when 1st Belorussian Front forces advance into the northern and eastern outskirts of the capital. In a desperate ploy to save Berlin, Hitler comes up with a preposterous counterattack plan involving Steiner’s forces to the north of the city. Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

The Führer’s birthday celebrations are interrupted by a huge Allied bombing raid on the capital. Plus, Marshal Zhukov’s 1st Belorussian Front launches their first artillery barrages on Berlin from their positions just outside the city. Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

An in-depth look at Berlin in 1945, with a focus on how the city prepared itself physically and mentally for the impending Soviet assault. Plus, an outline of the Berlin defence strategy, the Berlin garrison forces, and the attacking Soviet forces. Map: Here is an overview of the German and Soviet forces on the eve of the assault on Berlin, including the various major offensives which are launched as part of ‘Operation Berlin’. Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

The fighting has ended, but who won? Plus, a look at how the legacy of the battle is still hotly-contested to this day. Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important towns, cities, and locations featured in the series.  If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

The Germans have lifted the siege of Bautzen, and are now poised to take the fight to the Polish-Soviet forces with the intention of driving them out of Saxony completely. However, a rapidly-strengthened Polish-Soviet defence line seeks to halt the German advance. Dates covered: April 25th-onwards. Map: Here is an overview of the German, Polish, and Soviet forces, during the final days of fighting.  Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important towns, cities, and locations featured in the series. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

The Germans launch their counterattack, hoping to recapture Weißenberg, lift the siege of Bautzen, and potentially threaten the entire Soviet assault on Berlin. Meanwhile, the Bautzen garrison awaits rescue. Dates covered: April 22nd - April 24th. Map: Here is an overview of the German counterattack in Saxony. Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important towns, cities, and locations featured in the series. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

The Soviet vanguard forces launch their assault on Bautzen, leading to deadly street battles and house-to-house fighting between the Soviet attackers and the German defenders. Meanwhile, the fragility of the Polish-Soviet advance is exposed, offering the Germans a chance to re-take the initiative and break through the enemy lines. Dates covered: April 19th - April 21st. Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important towns, cities, and locations featured in the series. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

The combined Polish-Soviet forces launch “Operation Lausitz” - their assault on Saxony and the subsequent drive towards Weißenberg & Bautzen. Dates covered: April 16th - April 18th. Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important towns, cities, and locations featured in the series. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

An in-depth look at the strategic significance of Bautzen, with a particular focus on how the city featured prominently in the Soviet & German campaign plans for April 1945. Plus, let’s meet the forces and personalities who will be key players in the upcoming fighting. Map: Here is an overview of the German, Soviet & Polish forces on the eve of the assault on Berlin, including the major offensives which are launched as part of ‘Operation Berlin’. (E.g. the Polish-Soviet offensive into Saxony, towards Bautzen & Dresden.) Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important towns, cities, and locations featured in the series. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

What to look forward to in the series on Bautzen. Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important towns, cities, and locations featured in the series. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end… If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

In this episode we wrap-up the series on The Halbe Pocket by looking at the aftermath of the fighting, with a particular focus on the legacy of the battle and how it continues to shape Halbe and the surrounding area to this day.  If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

The combined 9th & 12th armies, along with thousands of German refugees, march towards the Elbe in order to cross the river and surrender to the Americans at Tangermünde.  The Soviets will stop at nothing to prevent them from escaping… If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

The battered remnants of Busse’s breakout group finally reach the Beelitz area and link-up with General Wenck’s 12th Army. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

Busse’s breakout group reaches the final rendezvous point, and there, they prepare to make the final push towards the 12th Army’s lines.  Meanwhile, the remaining 9th Army forces trapped in the Halbe Pocket are eliminated by the Soviets. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

After surviving the carnage in Halbe, Busse’s breakout group continues their escape westwards. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

The final breakout attempt is launched as the 9th Army seeks to smash through the Soviet defences in Halbe.  Meanwhile, the 12th Army successfully evacuates the Potsdam Garrison. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

Elements from the 9th Army stage a second breakout attempt, and Wenck’s 12th Army continues their push towards Potsdam. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

The two battlegroups fight on, but are crushed by stiff Soviet counter-attacks.  Conditions in the Halbe Pocket worsen as the Soviets tighten the noose, whilst the eastern flank of Wenck’s 12th Army reaches the Beelitz area. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com

The first breakout attempt from the pocket is launched by the battlegroups von Luck and Pipkorn. The 12th Army continues on their mission to rescue the trapped 9th Army. If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com