Margarethe-Stellung ETO (id:#62299)

(Vae Victis # 78 ID: VV50)   [next]   [previous]

Labod, Hungary 1944-12-05 (2 others)

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Overview:

Throughout the fall of 1944, in spite of fierce resistance, the Red Army continued to advance through Hungary and by early November, the Russians were seeking a bridge over the Danube River, south of Budapest. At the end of that month, the 3rd Ukrainian Front launched a new offensive. While some of its troops attacked in the direction of the Hungarian capital, others struck towards the west, towards the area between the Drava River and south of Lake Balaton, which was part of the “Margarethe-Stellung”. This Margarethe Line was a grandiose title for a bunch of incomplete fortifications built around localities, hoping to turn them into small-scale fortresses. It appeared that the outnumbered German and Hungarian units would not be able to hold out for long, and reinforcements were sent in haste. One such unit was the German 71st Infantry Division, recently arrived from Italy. By the time of their arrival at the front, the Soviet advance was beginning to run out of steam, with the Russian troops beginning to suffer from the wear and tear of regular combat and running low on supplies. Regardless, the fighting remained bitter and violent…

Defender: German/Hungarian (German: Elements I/191 Grenadier Regt, 71st Infantry Division; Hungarian 218th Fortress MG Battalion)  

Errata (source)