The Battle of the Baltics Dyuthi Nair Adam

The Battle of the Baltics Dyuthi Nair, Adam Callahan, Chirag Kikkeri, Isaac Romero

What is it? Battle of the Baltics was divided into two major parts: Baltic Operation (1941): Germany takes over Baltics Baltic Offensive (1944): Russia takes Baltics back from Germany Bal tics : )

What are the Baltic countries? Estonia Latvia Lithuania These countries had a history of being “bullied” by the Soviet Union.

German-USSR Relationship Before the Battle The USSR and Germany signed the Non-aggression Pact in 1939 (Senn) Gave Latvia and Estonia to Russia, and later Lithuania Russia stationed troops in the Baltics and established Soviet governments in these countries. Mass deportations were held to reduce opposition within the Baltics Operation Barbarossa (1941): Germany invades the Baltics and kicks the Red Army out (Senn) 1. Halted the sovietization of the Baltics

Commanders USSR General Ivan Bagramyan Germany Field Marshal Ferdinand Schörner

Thesis The Battle of the Baltics caused Germany to fight a multifronted war, spreading out their resources and men, which decreased their ability to battle effectively and led to losses at the hands of the USSR, giving the Allies momentum in the war and allowing them to win.

Baltic Operation (1941)

Baltic Operation of 1941: Russia’s Attempt to Defend against Germany This was in response to Operation Barbarossa (June 22 nd 1941), which took Russia completely by surprise. The Baltic Operation was a failure because Russia ignored British warnings that Germany would turn on them, leading to confusion and disorder among the Red Army (Axelrod). End Result: German Victory

How it Went Down The Russians had a fleet of ships stationed in the Baltic Sea that were supposed to defend the Baltic areas, interrupt German sea communications and transports, and protect the Red Army's sea flank. However, when the war broke out they were unprepared and consequently unsuccessful. Germany managed to force the Soviet’s out, captured Riga and other Baltic states, and set up extensive minefields.

Baltic Operation: Russia’s (Attempt) to Defend against Germany The German military consisted of North, Center, and South army groups. Northern Group: Invaded the Baltic States Center Group: Trapped Soviet troops during the Battle of Bialystok-Minsk, which destroyed the Soviets western flank Southern Group: Dealt with more Russian resistance, however they advanced towards Kiev (Current capital of Ukraine), where the germans performed the largest encirclement in the history of warfare, capturing almost 500, 00 Soviet Troops Because of Germany’s Blitzkrieg strategy, Russia was far from prepared to

German Advances in 1941 Tan= Up to July Pink= Up to September Green= Up to December

Baltic Holocaust-Interesting Facts The grandparents of the speaker that we met on Friday lived through the Baltic Holocaust. Their lives, which were dominated by fear, were heavily impacted by the Battle of the Baltics. During these battles, the Jews were transported to different parts of Europe. The fact that only 10% of Jews in the Baltic states survived shows the incredulity that two of his grandparents lived through this horror.

Baltic Offensive (1944)

Baltic Offensive: Counterattack by USSR The USSR launched its campaign to push back Germany in 1944 (Axlerod) The Baltic Offensive included the Soviet’s plan Operation Bagration This operation marks huge success for the USSR and nearly destroyed the German army’s center group The German Army was weak from Russian offensives (Axelrod) Many German casualties and 6700 German tanks destroyed This sets up the stage for the Red Army’s advance towards Germany and the

Baltic Offensive: Counterattack by USSR Army strength: Germany- Seven hundred thousand troops USSR- 1. 5 million troops

Battle of Narva (Feb-Aug 1944) Belligerents: Germany, Finland, some Estonians; USSR German aims: Keep access to the Gulf of Finland USSR aims: Get access to land of Estonia Outcomes Germans lose the land, but suffer much less casualties Finland signs Moscow Armistice- Leaves war

Moonsund Landing Operation The Soviets attack an island near Estonia, where German troops were located Soviets launch amphibious operation Soviets win easily, forcing the Germans to retreat to the Courland Pocket

Courland Pocket (Oct 1944 -May 1945) Eventually, USSR traps the Germans in the Courland Peninsula 5 battles until the Germans surrender Outcomes: USSR captures 200, 000 men This is the last battle of the Baltics

Baltic Offensive (1944 -45) 1. Battle of Narva 7 2. Karelian Offensive 8 3. Vilnius Offensive 4. Šiauliai Offensive 5. Tartu Offensive 6. Riga Offensive 10 1 5 6 9 4 3 2

Timeline (Relative to the Rest of WWII) August 1939: Non. Aggression Pact signed between Germany and USSR 1939 1940 August 1942: Battle of Stalingrad results in USSR victory. 1941 June 1941: Operation Barbarossa initiates the USSR’s Baltic Operation and conflict on the Eastern Front. The Red Army is driven out of the Baltics. 1942 1944: Baltic Offensive by USSR drives Germany out of the Baltics, and Russia re-occupies the Baltics. 1943 1944 March 1944: Operation Bagration was a major defeat of Germany on the Eastern front.

Impacts on WWII The Soviet troops at the Baltic were able to break communications between the German army group North and army group Center, which forced Army group North back to Courland Peninsula. The decision to fight a two-front war may be the reason Hitler lost WWII. Because the Soviets were able to ultimately have victory over Hitler, his forces were severely weakened and spread out, making it a victory for the allies.

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