Seelow Heights

Seelow, DE

The 60-meter escarpment west of the Oder river that formed the last major German defensive position before Berlin, stormed by **Marshal Zhukov's 1st Belorussian Front** from April 16–19, 1945. The assault cost the Soviets approximately 33,000 dead in four days as the German **9th Army** under General Busse held prepared positions atop the ridge. The breakthrough opened the road to Berlin.