Last Barrier, The - Battle for the Oder River Bridgehead, February 1945

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The Last Barrier depicts the Oder River frontlines, not far from Berlin, during the initial Russian crossings from February 1-17, and the Ger-man desperate efforts to eradicate their bridgeheads.

Oddly, the Germans were taken by surprise with this rather small cross-ings when the Oder River was frozen allowing Russian infantry and AT guns to cross at non-bridged sites. The only real opposition to the two Russian armies (5th Guards and 8th Shock) was the remnants of the 25th Panzer Grenadier and a collection of kampfgroups. While all the of the bridges were destroyed, it was thought that the river, whether frozen or not, would deter a Russian crossing. Hitler, at this time, was looking for a place to counterattack, and seemed less concerned that Russians were not far from Berlin. The troops sent to Pommerania for Operation Sonnenwende, which ended in a fiasco after just a few days, would have been better used on the Oder front.
While the Germans were weak, the Russians arrived on the doorstep of Berlin in a much weakened state. Their divisions numbered not more than 4000-5000 men, they were a long ways from air cover and supply bases, their AFVs were needing repair and rest. The Oder River was a major obstacle, as well. Only five engineering battalions were available to built bridges across taking many days under combat conditions. Kustrin was critical due to the roads going through it, yet it had become a fortress. Worst, the Russians had arrived with very limited supplies and fatigue. Their only real objective was to get across the Oder and stay there until bridgeheads could be built up for a REAL offensive (which did not come until mid-April), so until then, offensive actions were limited to only a few divisions at a time.

Despite the weakness of the Russian forces, the Germans were no better off, as they hobbled combat units together from remnants.