During 1944–1945 at the final stage of the Great Patriotic War The Red Army liberated the peoples of South-Eastern and Central Europe from the totalitarian regimes of their own rulers and the German occupation forces. The Red Army provided assistance in the liberation of Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria and Norway (Finmark province).

The liberation of Romania occurred mainly as a result of the Iasi-Kishinev strategic offensive operation.

It was held from August 20 to 29, 1944. Moldova was liberated and royal Romania was removed from the Nazi bloc.

The Bulgarian army did not conduct military operations against the Red Army troops. On September 5, 1944, the Soviet Union broke off diplomatic relations with Bulgaria and declared a state of war between the USSR and Bulgaria. The Red Army entered the territory of Bulgaria. On September 6, Bulgaria turned to the Soviet Union with a request for a truce. On September 7, Bulgaria decided to sever its relations with Germany, and on September 8, 1944, declared war on Germany.

In Yugoslavia, from September 28 to October 20, 1944, the Red Army carried out the Belgrade strategic offensive operation.

As a result of the Belgrade operation, the Red Army, in close cooperation with the partisan army of Marshal Tito, defeated the army group "Serbia".

The liberation of Czechoslovakia followed as a result of the East Carpathian, West Carpathian and Prague strategic offensive operations. The East Carpathian operation was carried out from September 8 to October 28, 1944.

The West Carpathian operation was carried out from January 12 to February 18, 1945. As a result of the West Carpathian operation, most of Slovakia and the southern regions of Poland were liberated.

The final operation of the Red Army in Europe was the Prague strategic offensive operation, which was carried out from May 6 to 11, 1945. During the rapid offensive, Czechoslovakia and its capital Prague were liberated.

The liberation of Hungary was achieved mainly during the Budapest and Vienna strategic offensive operations.

The Budapest operation was carried out from October 29, 1944 to February 13, 1945. As a result of the Budapest operation, Soviet troops liberated the central regions of Hungary and its capital Budapest.

The liberation of Austria occurred during the Vienna Strategic Offensive Operation, which took place from March 16 to April 15, 1945.

The liberation of the northern regions of Norway was achieved as a result of the Petsamo-Kirkenes strategic offensive operation, which took place from October 7 to October 29, 1944.

The capture of Petsamo and Kirkenes by parts of the Red Army and the Northern Fleet sharply limited the actions of the German fleet on the northern sea lanes and deprived Germany of supplies of strategically important nickel ore. Liberation territories USSR And European countries

. Victory over Nazism in Europe (January 1944 - May 1945). And European The Supreme High Command set the Red Army the task of clearing Soviet land of the enemy and beginning the liberation

In these favorable conditions, the Western Allies, after two years of preparation, opened a second front in Europe in northern France. With the support of armed formations of the French Resistance, Anglo-American troops launched an attack on Paris on July 25, 1944, where an armed uprising against the occupiers began on August 19. By the time the troops of the Western Allies arrived, the capital of France was already in the hands of patriots. At the same time (from August 15 to 19, 1944), Anglo-American troops consisting of 7 divisions landed in the area of ​​​​Cannes in the south of France, where, without encountering serious resistance, they quickly moved deeper into countries. However, the Wehrmacht command in the fall of 1944 managed to avoid encirclement of its troops and withdraw part of its forces to the western border of Germany. Moreover, on December 16, 1944, having launched a counteroffensive in the Ardennes, German troops inflicted a serious defeat on the 1st American Army, putting the entire Anglo-American group of forces in Western Europe in a difficult situation.

Continuing to develop the strategic initiative, Soviet troops in the summer of 1944 launched a powerful offensive in Karelia, Belarus, Western Ukraine and Moldova. As a result of the advance of Soviet troops in the north on September 19, Finland signed an armistice with territories, withdrew from the war, and on March 4, 1945 declared war on Germany.

The victories of Soviet troops in the southern direction in the fall of 1944 helped the Bulgarian, Hungarian, Yugoslav and Czechoslovak peoples in their liberation from fascism. September 9, 1944 to authorities The government of the Fatherland Front came to Bulgaria and declared war on Germany. In September-October, Soviet troops liberated part of Czechoslovakia and supported the Slovak National Uprising. Subsequently, the Soviet Army, together with the troops of Romania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, continued the offensive with the aim of liberating Hungary and Yugoslavia.

"Liberation campaign" of the Red Army in countries of Eastern Europe, which unfolded in 1944, could not but cause aggravation of geopolitical contradictions between territories and his Western allies. And if the American administration was sympathetic to the aspirations territories“to establish a positive sphere of influence over its western neighbors,” then British Prime Minister W. Churchill was extremely concerned about the strengthening of Soviet influence in this region.

The British Prime Minister undertook a trip to Moscow (October 9-18, 1944), where he held negotiations with Stalin. During his visit, Churchill proposed concluding an Anglo-Soviet agreement on the mutual division of spheres of influence in countries South-Eastern Europe, which found support from Stalin. However, despite the compromise reached, it was never possible to sign this document, since the American Ambassador to Moscow A. Harriman opposed the conclusion of such an agreement. At the same time, the “gentleman’s” secret deal between Stalin and Churchill on the division of spheres of influence in the Balkans played a role important role, as evidenced by the further course of events in this region.

During the winter campaign of 1945 she received development further coordination of military actions of the armed forces of the allies in the anti-Hitler coalition.
In early April, Western Allied forces successfully encircled and then captured about 19 enemy divisions in the Ruhr region. After this operation, Nazi resistance on the Western Front was practically broken.
On May 2, 1945, the troops of the German Army Group C in Italy capitulated, and a day later (May 4) an act of surrender of the German armed forces in Holland, North-West Germany and Denmark was signed.

In January - early April 1945, as a result of a powerful strategic offensive on the entire Soviet-German front with forces on ten fronts, the Soviet army inflicted a decisive defeat on the main enemy forces. During the East Prussian, Vistula-Oder, West Carpathian and completion of the Budapest operations, Soviet troops created the conditions for further attacks in Pomerania and Silesia, and then for an attack on Berlin. Almost all of Poland and Czechoslovakia, as well as the entire territory of Hungary, were liberated.

Attempts at a new Germanic government, which on May 1, 1945, after the suicide of A. Hitler, was headed by Grand Admiral K. Doenitz, to achieve a separate peace with the USA and Great Britain (the signing of the preliminary protocol of surrender took place in Reims on May 7, 1945) failed. The decisive victories of the Red Army in Europe had a decisive influence on the success of the Crimean (Yalta) Conference of Leaders territories, the United States and Great Britain (from February 4 to February 11, 1945), at which the problems of completing the defeat of Germany and its post-war settlement were agreed upon. territories confirmed its commitment to enter the war with Japan 2-3 months after the end of the war in Europe.

During the Berlin operation (April 16 - May 8, 1945), the troops captured about 480 thousand people, a huge amount of captured military equipment and weapons. On May 8, 1945, in the Berlin suburb of Karl Horst, the Act of Unconditional Surrender of the Armed Forces was signed fascist Germany. The victorious outcome of the Berlin operation created favorable conditions for the defeat of the last large enemy group on the territory of Czechoslovakia and providing assistance to the rebellious population of Prague. The day of the liberation of the city - May 9 - became the Day of Victory of the Soviet people over fascism.

The whole world followed with excitement the events on the Soviet-German front - the main front of the Second World War. It was in the Red Army that the peoples of Europe, enslaved by fascism, saw the force that was capable of crushing Hitler’s military machine and freeing them from the German occupiers.

The Soviet people have always considered assistance to peoples oppressed by fascism as their most important international duty. During three years of war, the Red Army fulfilled this duty with honor on the battlefields. On the Soviet-German front, 607 enemy divisions were defeated - almost three and a half times more than on all other fronts of the Second World War. The victories of the Red Army created real conditions for the liberation of the countries of Europe occupied by the Nazis and assistance to their peoples.

Soviet Union contributed to the creation and arming of national military units from citizens of occupied countries. With the support of the communist parties and patriotic forces of these countries, the Czechoslovak division under the command of L. Svoboda was created and took part in hostilities in the USSR, distinguished itself in the battles for the liberation of Kyiv and later transformed into the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps, 1st and 2nd -I Army of the Polish Army, two Romanian divisions, Yugoslav infantry and tank brigades and two aviation regiments, the French aviation regiment "Normandie - Niemen". The total number of foreign formations created with the help of the USSR exceeded 550 thousand people.

Historic victories on the Soviet-German front had a huge impact on the growth of the Resistance movement in European countries. The diverse assistance and support of this movement throughout the war was another manifestation of the international duty of the Soviet people. From 40 to 50 thousand Soviet patriots took part in the Resistance movement in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, France, Italy and other countries, most of whom were soldiers and officers who escaped from fascist captivity. F. Poletaev and V. Porik became national heroes of Italy and France, M. Husein-Zade of Yugoslavia, and A. Kazaryan of Greece.

At the final stage of the war, Soviet partisan detachments who relocated to Poland, Czechoslovakia and some other countries provided active assistance to the Resistance movement. The liberation mission of the Red Army raised the international authority of the Soviet Union even higher and contributed to the rallying around it of all anti-fascist and democratic forces of the New and recent history/ edited by E.I. Popova. M.: Infra-M, 2001 - P. 166.

The victory of Soviet troops in the Iasi-Kishinev operation had a decisive influence on the change in the political situation in Romania. On August 23, 1944, the Romanian people, under the leadership Communist Party raised an armed uprising and overthrew the fascist dictatorship. The next day, the country's new government decided to sever relations with Nazi Germany and declare war on it. Romanian troops took part in the fighting together with Soviet troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front. On August 31, they entered Bucharest, liberated by Romanian patriots. Soviet troops reached the Romanian-Bulgarian border.

The Soviet Union was forced to declare war on Bulgaria, whose government continued to provide assistance to Nazi Germany. On September 8, Soviet troops entered Bulgarian territory. The Soviet command established contact with the People's Liberation Insurgent Army of Bulgaria and local organizations of the Bulgarian workers' party. The entry of Soviet troops accelerated the uprising of the Bulgarian people, which began in Sofia on the night of September 9. The government created by the Fatherland Front broke off relations with Nazi Germany and declared war on it. On September 16, Soviet troops, enthusiastically greeted by the residents of Sofia, entered. capital of Bulgaria.

In September, the Red Army reached the eastern borders of Yugoslavia. During the Soviet-Yugoslav negotiations in Moscow, an agreement was concluded on the entry of Soviet troops into the territory of Yugoslavia. On October 20, troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front and parts of the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia liberated Belgrade.

The successes of Soviet troops in the central and southern sectors of the Soviet-German front had a huge impact on the rise of the national liberation movement in Czechoslovakia. On August 29, 1944, the Slovak National Uprising began, which was a major armed uprising against fascism. The Nazis, having gathered significant forces, launched an offensive against the insurgent people. In these difficult days, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia turned to the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) with a request to provide military assistance to Slovak patriots.

The Soviet command sent the 2nd Czechoslovak Airborne Brigade and the Czechoslovak Fighter Aviation Regiment to Slovakia and increased the airlift of weapons, ammunition, and medicine. In order to provide quick and effective assistance to the rebels, it was decided to launch a direct strike through the Carpathians, and not bypassing them, as originally planned. The offensive began on September 8. Particularly bloody battles took place over the Duklinsky Pass. Stubbornly defending themselves, the Nazis transferred military units here from the area of ​​the Slovak Uprising, which significantly eased the position of the rebels. On October 6, the Duklinsky pass was taken.

By the end of September, Horthy-Salasist Hungary remained the only ally of Nazi Germany in Europe. It covered the routes to Austria and southern Germany. Hungary had a great economic importance for the Nazis, supplying them with oil and food. The fascist German command decided to hold onto Hungary at any cost and concentrated large forces here. A cruel terror was established in the country.

Having entered Hungarian territory, Soviet troops met fierce enemy resistance. In October, during the Debrecen operation, part of Hungary was liberated, but the forces were not enough to capture its capital. As a result of bloody battles, the encirclement of the Budapest group was completed only by the end of December. To avoid unnecessary casualties, the Soviet command sent an ultimatum to the Budapest garrison to surrender. The Nazis rejected him and shot the Soviet envoys.

The Provisional National Government of Hungary, formed in Debrecen, broke the alliance with Nazi Germany and declared war on it. Germany has lost its last ally. The fascist bloc finally collapsed. On February 13, 1945, Budapest was liberated from the Nazis.

The Hungarian Buda Volunteer Regiment also took part in the battles for Budapest along with Soviet soldiers. At the beginning of April, the entire territory of Hungary was liberated. Second World War/ed. S.P. Platonov. M. Voenizdat, 1988 - P. 698

In mid-March, the attack on Vienna began. The Soviet command addressed the residents of the city with an appeal emphasizing that the Red Army was fighting the fascist occupiers, and not the Austrian people. They called on residents of the Austrian capital to fight against the Nazis and prevent the export and destruction of material and cultural values. When Soviet troops stormed the city in April, the Viennese warmly welcomed the liberating soldiers

The decisive battles for the liberation of Poland took place during the Vistula-Oder operation (January 12 - February 3, 1945). The Soviet command planned its start on January 20. But the offensive of the Nazi army on the Western Front brought the Anglo-American troops in the Ardennes to the brink of disaster. The offensive of the Soviet troops, launched at the request of the allies earlier than planned, saved them from complete defeat

Among the first to cross the Vistula in the Warsaw area on January 12 was a company of machine gunners under the command of Senior Lieutenant K.S. Sumchenko. The soldiers boldly rushed to storm the fortifications, threw grenades or shot at fascist pillboxes and firing positions from guns, and fought hand-to-hand with the enemy. On that day, the troops of the shock group of the 1st Ukrainian Front went on the offensive, and on January 14, the troops of the 1st Belorussian Front.

With a powerful blow, the enemy’s defense was broken through and he began to retreat. On January 17, Soviet troops, together with units of the Polish Army, liberated Warsaw. By the end of March, they reached the coast of the Baltic Sea, to the Oder and Neisse rivers. Soviet troops stood 60-70 km from Berlin.

In the name of this, more than a million Soviet soldiers and officers gave their lives. 600 thousand Soviet soldiers rest on Polish soil, over 140 thousand in Hungary and the same number in Czechoslovakia, 102 thousand in Germany, 69 thousand in Romania, 26 thousand buried in Austria and 8 thousand in Yugoslavia .

The increased power of the Soviet country, its ability to independently complete the defeat of the enemy, raised the authority of the USSR as never before. In the context of the approaching victory, the Crimean Conference took place in Yalta on February 4-11, 1945. I.V. took part in its work. Stalin, F. Roosevelt, W. Churchill, foreign ministers, representatives of the general staffs, advisers. At the conference, the military plans of the powers for the final defeat of Nazi Germany were agreed upon, their attitude towards Germany after its surrender was determined, and the basic principles of their post-war policy were outlined in order to create a lasting and reliable world.

At the conference, reports were heard on the situation on the fronts of the Second World War and plans for upcoming military operations were discussed. Churchill and Roosevelt expressed deep admiration for the powerful and skillful offensive operations Red Army. It was agreed that two to three months after Germany's surrender, the Soviet Union would enter the war against Japan.

The leaders of the three powers approved the agreements “On the zones of occupation of Germany and on the management of Greater Berlin” and “On the control mechanism in Germany.” According to these documents, the territory of Germany was to be divided into occupation zones. Supreme power in Germany was to be exercised by the commanders-in-chief of the armed forces of the USSR, the USA and England, each in its own zone of occupation. To resolve issues affecting Germany as a whole, a Control Council was established, consisting of the commanders-in-chief of the occupation forces. It was planned to introduce the armed forces of the three powers into the Greater Berlin area.

During the conference, Great Britain and the United States put forward plans to divide Germany into three or even five independent states. The USSR resolutely opposed the plan to dismember Germany. He put forward a program that was aimed not only at eradicating German militarism, but also took into account the national interests of the German people themselves. At the initiative of the Soviet Union, an extremely important decision was made, which emphasized: “Our unyielding goal is the destruction of German militarism and Nazism and the creation of a guarantee that Germany will never again be able to disturb the peace of the whole world. Our goals do not include the destruction of German people."

The Crimean Conference paid much attention to the problem of ensuring international security in the post-war period. To maintain and preserve peace, it was decided to create the United Nations, it was agreed that the founding conference of the United Nations for the preparation of its Charter would open on April 25, 1945 in the United States in San Francisco and that voting in the UN Security Council should be based on the principle of unanimity of the great powers.

The Crimean Conference also developed a declaration “Unity in the organization of peace, as well as in the conduct of war.” It solemnly promised to preserve and strengthen during the peace period that unity of action that made victory in the Second World War possible.

The Soviet government was satisfied with the results of the conference. The Soviet delegation managed to defend its position on all fundamental issues related to the country's security in the post-war period, as well as to protect the fundamental interests of the Polish people.

The conference clearly showed that great powers have enormous opportunities for fruitful cooperation. Its decisions indicated the further strengthening of the anti-fascist coalition and contributed to the successful actions of the allies at the final stage of the war. History of foreign policy of the USSR: 1917 - 1945 / edited by A. A. Gromyko and B.N. Ponomareva.M. Politizdat, 1986 - pp. 446 - 447.

Book: Lecture notes World History of the 20th Century

43. Liberation of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (1944-1945)

Prerequisites. After the radical change in World War II, the initiative belonged entirely to the Red Army. Fascist troops rolled back to the west. They offered stubborn resistance thanks to additional mobilizations and in the hope of the miracle weapon that Hitler promised. In 1944, the anti-Hitler coalition became significantly stronger. The Red Army had modern, effective weapons and combat experience, and a powerful Resistance movement developed in Europe enslaved by the Nazis. Germany was doomed to defeat and the leaders of the victorious countries focused increasing attention on the conditions for the final defeat of Germany and its allies and the post-war system. The difference in the social system and economic situation of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition dictated different visions of the final stage of the Second World War. Each side sought to increase its influence in post-war Europe. It should be noted that the Second Front in Europe was opened only in June 1944, that is, when the main forces of the Nazis were exhausted and it was necessary to actively intervene in the distribution of the fruits of victory.

The USSR, with all the desire of its leaders, also could not include into its orbit all the peoples liberated from the fascists. Thus, even before the end of World War II, a split was brewing in Europe. The picture of the struggle for influence in European countries was complicated by the existence in London of the government of Czechoslovakia in exile E. Benes and the Polish government of S. Mikolajczyk, who led the actions of the Home Army in Poland.

Liberation of Poland. The Red Army entered the territory of Poland in July 1944. The Soviet Union agreed that local authorities would be formed only by the newly created Polish Committee of National Liberation (PKNO). On August 1, 1944, the emigration government launched an uprising against the Nazis in Warsaw. The rebels hoped for help from the Red Army. However, Stalin called the leaders of the uprising adventurers and criminals. Soviet troops stopped and the Warsaw uprising fizzled out; the capital suffered monstrous destruction. Only in January 1945 did the Red Army drive the Nazis out of Warsaw.

Liberation of Romania. On the territory of Romania, active hostilities began in August 1944. After the completion of the Iasi-Kishiniv operation, fascist troops were not able to provide serious resistance here. Even before the approach of the Red Army, an uprising took place in the capital of Romania, which ended in victory over the dictatorship of General Antonescu. The country announced its joining the anti-Hitler coalition. Already in August the territory of Romania was liberated.

Liberation of Bulgaria. Bulgaria did not fight against the Soviet Union, although it took the side of Germany, declaring war on the USA and Great Britain. The USSR stated that since Bulgaria was at war with it and its allies, it now considers it its duty to enter into a war with Bulgaria, which contributed to the aggressor. On September 8, 1944, the Red Army crossed the border and did not meet any resistance. The next day, September 9, an anti-fascist uprising took place in Sofia and the Fatherland Front government came to power. During September, Bulgaria was fired.

Liberation of Yugoslavia. In Yugoslavia, since 1942, the People's Liberation Army (NVLA) has been actively fighting. In November 1943, the government of the new Yugoslavia was created - the Anti-Fascist Assembly, headed by acting. Broz Tito. NVAYu consisted of about 400 thousand fighters. On October 20, the capital of Yugoslavia was liberated from the fascist occupiers. Hundreds of Soviet and Yugoslav soldiers are buried nearby in a cemetery in Belgrade. Through the joint efforts of units of the 3rd Ukrainian Front and the NVYU, the country was liberated, having suffered heavy material and human losses.

Liberation of Hungary. Together with Bulgaria and Romania, Hungary was part of the Hitler bloc during World War II. In 1938 and 1940, with German support, it captured Southern Slovakia, Transcarpathian Ukraine and Northern Transylvania. These circumstances forced the Horthy government to stubbornly stick to its ally. However, Hitler ordered the occupation of Hungary and brought his protege Szalasi to power. Resistance to the advancing Red Army on Hungarian territory was fierce. The heaviest fighting took place in the area of ​​Budapest and Lake Balaton. The territory of Hungary was completely liberated only in April 1945.

Liberation of Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovak troops under the command of L. Svoboda took part in the hostilities of Czechoslovakia. On the territory of the USSR, he organized a brigade in which many people from Transcarpathian Ukraine fought against the Nazis. The Red Army supported the Slovak National Uprising against the Nazis in 1944. In early May 1945, an anti-fascist uprising began in Prague. He was supported by units of the Russian Liberation Army (ROA) of the former Soviet general Vlasov, who in 1942 went over to the side of the Germans. The Vlasovites hoped that American troops would be the first to arrive in Prague. However, they were mistaken and were forced to leave the city. On May 9, 1945, Soviet troops entered Prague. According to the agreement between Czechoslovakia and the USSR of June 29, 1945, Transcarpathian Ukraine was transferred to the Soviet Union and became part of Ukraine.

Results. The Soviet Union made a decisive contribution to the defeat of the fascist invaders. Democratic regimes were formed in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe after their liberation. However, the Soviet Union “forgot” to withdraw its troops from the liberated territories and imposed the Stalinist model of socialism on a number of European states. Totalitarian regimes modeled on the Soviet Union lasted until the end of the 1980s. After their collapse, the children and grandchildren of the liberators returned home from the territory of Germany, Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia.

By the summer of 1944, Soviet troops liberated most of the territory of Ukraine. However, to the north, almost all of Belarus remained under the control of the fascists. Thus, a ledge was formed, which was called the “Belarusian balcony”.

On the territory of occupied Belarus there were troops of Army Group Center, which at that time were considered the most powerful on the Eastern Front. They were commanded by Field Marshal Bush, but then he was replaced by Model.

The total number of German troops defending Belarus was 1.2 thousand people. The Germans very effectively used the difficult terrain: numerous rivers, swamps, lakes.

To liberate Belarus, the Headquarters developed a plan for Operation Bagration. Objectives of the operation:

The defeat of Army Group Center

Liberation of Belarus

Entering the territory of Poland and beginning the liberation of the countries of Eastern Europe.

Strengths: 1st Baltic Front (General Bagramyan), 3rd Belorussian Front (General Chernyakovsky), 2nd Belorussian Front (General Zakharov), 1st Belorussian Front (Rokossovsky).

Total number of Soviet troops: 2.4 million people. The Belarusian partisans, who numbered 270 thousand in the summer of 1944, provided great assistance to the Soviet troops.

Operation Bagration began on June 23, 1944. It can be distinguished two stages:

1) June 23 – July 4, 1944: at this stage, German troops were surrounded in the Vitebsk area (5 divisions) and in the Bobruisk area (6 divisions). July 3, 1944 Minsk liberated . East of Minsk, a powerful German group of 105 thousand people was surrounded. 70 thousand Germans died.

2) July 5 – August 29, 1944: Western Belarus and most of Lithuania were liberated. A severe defeat was inflicted on the troops of Army Group Center. The troops entered the territory of Eastern Poland, capturing the large city of Lublin. The defeat of German troops in Belarus, as well as the landing of Allied troops in Normandy, contributed to the growth of anti-Nazi sentiment among the German generals. as a result, Operation Valkyrie was carried out, in which Hoepner, Admiral Canaris and others participated.

By the summer of 1944, Soviet troops reached the state border of the USSR on a broad front, creating conditions for the liberation of the CEE countries.

Romania. She was an active ally of Germany. The fascist dictator Ion Antonescu was in power in this country. Romania was of great economic importance for the Reich because it had large oil fields. To liberate Romania, the Iasi-Kishenev operation was carried out. It was carried out by troops of two Soviet fronts: 2nd Ukrainian (General Malinovsky), 3rd Ukrainian Front (Tolbukhin). Provided great assistance to the Soviet fronts Black Sea Fleet under the command of General Oktyabrsky. Objectives of the operation:

Withdrawal of Romania from the war on the side of Nazi Germany

Encirclement and destruction of Army Group "Southern Ukraine".

Difficulties:

The presence of a powerful Romanian group (commanded by Colonel General Frisner)

Geographical factor. On the way of the Soviet troops there were the Dniester, Prut and Danube, and the Carpathians.

The operation began on August 20, 1944 and was successful. Soviet troops crossed two rivers at once. On August 23, troops from two fronts united in the area of ​​the small Romanian town of Hýshi. As a result, 18 of the 25 divisions that were part of Army Group Southern Ukraine fell into the cauldron. News of the encirclement of these troops led to an increase in anti-fascist sentiment in Romania. On that day, when the German-Romanian troops were surrounded, an anti-fascist uprising began in Romania, as a result of which Antonescu was overthrown. A new government came to power, which not only announced Romania’s withdrawal from the fascist bloc, but also declared war on Germany. On August 31, 1944, Soviet troops entered Bucharest. Romania was liberated.

Results of the Iasi-Kishenev operation:

Complete destruction of Army Group "Southern Ukraine". Only 208 thousand soldiers and officers and 25 German generals were captured

Romania withdrew from the war, as a result Germany lost Romanian oil, which put the Reich in a difficult position.

Bulgaria. At the beginning of September 1944, Soviet troops reached the border with Bulgaria. Because Bulgaria was an ally of Germany; on September 5, 1944, the Bulgarian ambassador in Moscow was handed a note about the severance of diplomatic relations, the USSR declared war on Bulgaria. On September 8, our troops entered Bulgarian territory, but no resistance was offered by local residents. Moreover, at the same time a coup took place in Bulgaria, as a result of which the pro-fascist regime in Bulgaria was overthrown, and the so-called government came to power. Fatherland Front. Bulgaria not only withdrew from the war, but also declared war on Germany. Subsequently, Bulgarian units actively participated in hostilities in Romania and Hungary.

Yugoslavia. Although the Yugoslav People's Liberation Army numbered more than 200 thousand people by the beginning of 1944, nevertheless, the Yugoslavs could not liberate the country on their own. In Yugoslavia, unlike Bulgaria, there was a large German group called “Serbia”, which numbered 150 thousand people. In addition, the Germans were supported by units of Yugoslav collaborators: the Albanian SS division Skanderberk and units of the Croatian Ustasha. In such a situation, Tito was forced to turn to Moscow for help. In September 1944, Soviet-Yugoslav negotiations took place in Moscow. Their main result: the USSR promised to help the Yugoslavs in liberating the country. According to this agreement, the Serbs were to be the first to enter Belgrade.

Troops of the 3rd were sent to liberate Yugoslavia. Ukrainian front and part of the Bulgarian army. Together they numbered 650 thousand people. The operation to liberate Yugoslavia was called "Belgrade". The operation was very successful. In mid-October, Soviet troops reached Belgrade and in the area of ​​​​the city of Smerdovo they surrounded a large German group. As a result, 20 thousand prisoners were captured by us.

Results of the operation:

1) the army group “Serbia” was seriously defeated

2) the eastern regions of Yugoslavia, including Belgrade, were liberated

3) German troops in Greece (Army Group E) found themselves in an extremely difficult situation, which forced Germany to begin their hasty withdrawal from Greece

Hungary. Soviet troops entered Hungary at the end of October 1944. The situation in this country was significantly different from the situation in Yugoslavia and Bulgaria:

In power in Hungary was the pro-fascist regime of Mikos Horthy, who enjoyed widespread social support

There was almost no resistance movement in Hungary.

In addition, the liberation of Hungary was complicated by a whole range of factors:

Geographical factor. There were two large rivers along the route of the Soviet troops: the Danube and Tisza. In addition, in the northern part of the country there were the Carpathian Mountains

Hostility of a significant part of the local population towards Soviet troops

The presence of powerful German defenses in the area. In particular, on the approaches to Budapest there was a “Margarita” line.