Festung Königsberg between January and April 1945 - "Uns geht die Sonne nicht unter"

Master's Thesis , 2012 , 50 Pages

History of Germany - National Socialism, World War II

This dissertation strives to analyse the different causes as to why the city of Königsberg held out for over two months before it was finally captured by the Red Army, in order to answer the question what determined the successfulness of the city as a Festung. The conclusion will expand the analyses to the Festung-strategy as a whole and to other fortress cities in Eastern Germany.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Königsberg as ‘Festung’
What effect did the strategy of designating Fortress cities have on Königsberg?

Chapter 2: No safety in numbers
What were the tactics that proved decisive during the battle of Königsberg?

Chapter 3: Politics and Patriotism on the East Prussian battlefield
How did the mindset of the belligerents influence the battle of Königsberg?

Conclusion

Appendices

Indicative bibliography

• College: University of Edinburgh
• Course: Second World War in Europe - Königsberg 1945
• Author: Bastiaan Willems (Author)
• Publication Year: 2012
• Pages: 50
• Catalog Number: V210972
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656387459
• ISBN (Book): 9783656388579
• Language: English
• Tags: Königsberg, 1945, Festung, Fortress, East Prussia, Ostpreussen