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| a postcard from Küstrin, prior to WWII |
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| T-34/85 Tank |
Insider guides are constantly doing research. The thrust of this day trip was to uncover more about the German army's defence, Henrici's three line strategy with the focus on the 9th Paratrooper division, and their strategy as they retreated towards the Gusow palace. Insider guides also studied the Soviet assault on Küstrin/Kostrzyn, the construction/defence of bridgeheads and the detail the Soviet attack from Zhukov command post.
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| Discussing the difference between traction profiles on mass-produced T-34s compared to the Tiger or Panther |
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Katyusha rockets, otherwise known as Stalin's organ
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| An array of military hardware |
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| Unknown soldier |
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Seelower Heights Soviet memorial statue
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Setting the scene...
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The battle begins, Heinrici's defence plan
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The encircling of Berlin, and the Western Allied forces position
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On the Polish side of the Oder discussing the Soviet preparations for the assault on the Küstrin/Kostrzyn fortress
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Entering what once was the bustling old town of Küstrin/Kostrzyn
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Discussing the total destruction of the old city
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| Walking down the main street of the old city towards the site of the former city palace. Between the street signs are the ruins of schools, homes, churches, shops, the whole town... |
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Discussing the construction of bridgeheads
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As the German forces abonded the Küstrin/Kostrzyn fortress the bridges were destroyed in their wake
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The wall of the Küstrin/Kostrzyn fortress
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War damage on the Rotwein church
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| The ruined Rotwein church |
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At Zhukov's and Chuikov's command post, overlooking the battlefield
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| Gusow palace, amazing untouched villa, used by both German and Soviet forces. Now includes a small restaurant serving great food including fine schnitzels |
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It also hosts a most eclectic museum of curiosities
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| Those BRIXMIS boys got around the DDR |
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SS uniform next to a pink cocktail dress
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| Werbig by fading light – a tactically important rail crossing, this was the site of some of the heaviest fighting for the Seelower Heights |
The Battle for the Seelower Heights was the biggest military barrage in world history. Approx 1.2 million shells were dropped on the first day, April 16th 1945. The Soviets managed to get the 1st Belorussian Front, approx. 768.000 troops and 3.000 tanks across the Oder in 14 days. The Soviets suffered about 30.000 deaths in the 4 day battle. German casualties are estimated at 12.000. After this battle the road to Berlin was open.
