World War II: The Red Army begins the final assault on German forces around Berlin, with nearly one million troops fighting in the Battle of the Seelow Heights.

The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, often affectionately and simply known as the Red Army, emerged from the profound ideological currents of the Russian Revolution, specifically serving as the armed forces of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Established in January 1918, during a period of immense internal strife and external pressures, its primary purpose was to consolidate and defend the nascent Bolshevik government. It was initially tasked with opposing the diverse military confederations of its adversaries, most notably the various factions collectively known as the White Army, throughout the brutal and transformative Russian Civil War. Following the formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1922, the Red Army naturally transitioned to become the unified army and air force of this new, expansive Soviet state. This formidable military institution, the backbone of Soviet power, officially adopted the name "Soviet Army" in February 1946, a designation it held, along with the Soviet Navy, as the principal component of the Soviet Armed Forces until the ultimate dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Red Army's legacy is most profoundly etched in its monumental contributions to the Allied victory in World War II. It provided the largest land force in the European theatre, bearing the brunt of the fighting against Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front. Its relentless and devastating campaigns accounted for a staggering 75–80% of all casualties suffered by the German Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS throughout the war, a testament to the immense scale and ferocity of that conflict. The climax of its European efforts was the capture of Berlin, the capital of Nazi Germany, in May 1945, a decisive moment signaling the end of the war on that front. Beyond Europe, the Red Army's swift and overwhelming invasion of Japanese-occupied Manchuria in August 1945 played a significant role in accelerating the unconditional surrender of Imperial Japan, bringing World War II to a comprehensive close.

The Battle for the Gates of Berlin: Seelow Heights

As World War II neared its dramatic conclusion in Europe, one of the final and most intensely fought engagements was the Battle of the Seelow Heights. This grim, pitched battle, fought over three grueling days from April 16 to April 19, 1945, formed a critical segment of the larger Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation (April 16 – May 2, 1945). Known colloquially as the "Gates of Berlin," the Seelow Heights represented a formidable line of deeply entrenched German defensive positions, widely recognized as some of the last major strongholds of their kind in the entire Second World War.

The Soviet forces, numbering close to one million soldiers, primarily drawn from the 1st Belorussian Front and importantly including 78,556 soldiers of the Communist Polish 1st Army, launched a massive and determined assault. These combined forces operated under the highly experienced command of Marshal Georgy Zhukov, a legendary figure in Soviet military history. Opposing them were approximately 110,000 soldiers of the German 9th Army, led by General Theodor Busse, who was operating as part of the desperate Army Group Vistula. The sheer numerical disparity underscores the monumental challenge faced by the German defenders in this pivotal battle.

Although often highlighted as a distinct engagement due to the exceptional ferocity of the combat, the Battle of the Seelow Heights is frequently understood as an integral and bitter component of the broader Battle of the Oder-Neisse. The Seelow Heights constituted just one, albeit the most heavily defended and strategically vital, of several crossing points along the Oder and Neisse rivers where the Soviet armies concentrated their offensive thrust. In turn, the entire Battle of the Oder-Neisse served as the opening and most crucial phase of the colossal Battle of Berlin, the ultimate military operation to seize the German capital. The immediate and brutal consequence of the Soviet breakthrough at Seelow Heights was the encirclement of the German 9th Army, an event that directly led to the desperate and bloody fighting known as the Battle of Halbe, as remnants of the German forces valiantly attempted to break out of the Soviet cordon.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Red Army and Seelow Heights

1. What was the primary purpose of the Red Army's formation?
The Red Army was primarily established in January 1918 by the Bolsheviks to defend the newly formed Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic against its adversaries, particularly the White Army, during the Russian Civil War.
2. When did the Red Army officially become the "Soviet Army"?
The Red Army officially adopted the name "Soviet Army" in February 1946, serving as the main component of the Soviet Armed Forces, alongside the Soviet Navy, until the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.
3. How significant was the Red Army's role in World War II?
The Red Army played an indispensable and monumental role in World War II, providing the largest land force for the Allied victory in the European theatre. It accounted for 75–80% of German Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS casualties on the Eastern Front and captured Berlin. Its invasion of Manchuria also contributed significantly to Imperial Japan's surrender.
4. What was the Battle of the Seelow Heights, and why was it important?
The Battle of the Seelow Heights was a fierce three-day engagement (April 16-19, 1945) during the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation. It was one of the last major assaults on heavily entrenched defensive positions of WWII, crucial for breaking through the German "Gates of Berlin" to reach the capital.
5. How does the Battle of Seelow Heights relate to the Battle of Berlin?
The Battle of the Seelow Heights was a pivotal part of the broader Battle of the Oder-Neisse, which itself constituted the opening and most critical phase of the overall Battle of Berlin. Breaking through Seelow Heights was essential for the Soviet forces to advance on the German capital.
6. Who were the main commanders of the opposing forces at Seelow Heights?
Marshal Georgy Zhukov commanded the Soviet 1st Belorussian Front (including Polish units), while General Theodor Busse led the German 9th Army, which was part of Army Group Vistula.