



Southern Germany Campaign

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseUS 6th Army Group under General Jacob Devers was tasked with moving into southern Germany to protect the right flank of operations further north and to prevent German troops in the Berlin area from moving southward into the Alps. The campaign began with US 7th Army, under Lieutenant General Alexander Patch, penetrating German lines south of Frankfurt, but meeting stiff resistance beyond. On 15 Apr, Dwight Eisenhower added George Patton's US 3rd Army to this campaign, ordering it to move southeast along the Danube River toward Austria.

ww2dbaseAs Nürnberg (English: Nuremberg) became threatened, Nazi official Karl Holz was placed in command of the German defense at that city, which bore spiritual significance to the Nazi Party. Holz ordered the construction and deployment of additional anti-tank ditches, anti-aircraft batteries, and other defensive establishments mostly on the western side of the city, believing that, despite having only 7,000 troops, he could hold the city for an extended period of time. On 16 Apr, US 7th Army reached the northeastern outskirts of Nürnberg, surprising the German defenders who had focused on the west. The Americans captured the Erlenstegen and Buch neighborhood very quickly, followed by the rail marshaling yard and the airport. The assault on Nürnberg's old city began on 18 Apr; when the old city was taken two days later, the combination of fierce German resistance and the liberal use of US artillery resulted in the damage or destruction of many historical buildings, including the castle. Holz turned down four opportunities to surrender, and died in combat in a police station in the morning of 20 Apr; his deputy, Colonel Wolf, surrendered to the US 7th Army at 1100 hours.

ww2dbaseThe city of München (English: Munich) was attacked by US 20th Armored Division, US 3rd Infantry Division, US 42nd Infantry Division, and US 45th Infantry Division. Although the German garrison at München were also stubborn in its defense, the city would fall under US control by the next day.

ww2dbaseAfter the fall of these two major cities, and given the dire situation in Berlin, the morale in southern Germany crumbled. Many German units began to break up or surrender en masse.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia

Last Major Update: Feb 2014

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