Feb 10, 1945: East Pomeranian Operation

On February 10, 1945, the East Pomeranian strategic offensive operation began—one of the key operations of the Red Army in the final stage of the Great Patriotic War. The objective of the operation was to defeat the East Pomeranian enemy grouping, break through the defenses along the Pomeranian Wall, capture Eastern Pomerania, and secure the Baltic Sea coast from Danzig (now Gdansk) and Gdynia to the mouth of the Oder River.

The German defense consisted of fortified areas with deep trench lines, bunkers, and minefields, surrounded by multiple defensive belts. Troops of the 1st and 2nd Belorussian Fronts, overcoming strong resistance, launched an offensive, advancing dozens of kilometers and engaging in heavy urban combat for fortified positions.

The outcome of the operation was the complete defeat of Army Group 'Vistula,' the destruction of a significant portion of German forces, and the advance of Soviet troops to the Baltic Sea coast, securing the flank for the upcoming offensive on Berlin.

Context

The operation was one of the largest and most decisive offensives of the Red Army in the final weeks of the war, ensuring further success in the advance toward Berlin.