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A weekly podcast exploring the lesser-known battles and stories of the Second World War, with a particular focus on the Eastern Front.
If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com or visit https://davidsumnerhistory.com/
An introduction to the Battle of Leipzig, including an overview of the importance of the city to the Third Reich’s war effort.
In this episode I also outline the military situation facing the Americans in Germany in 1945 – and how that directly impacted the subsequent American decision to assault (and capture) Leipzig.
Map:Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series.
Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Battle Of The Nations monument).
If you have any comments or questions about the show, please get in touch via davidsumner.podcast@gmail.com
You can also follow me on instagram at davidsumnerhistory or visit my site davidsumnerhistory.com
Cover photo: AP-Wirephoto
cover photo source: AP Wirephoto
American assault plan and phase lines, 18th April 1945, gifted by Joe Lipsius, 69th Infantry Division, Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig (Source: Capa-Haus Leipzig WordPress)
For more photos please visit the Capa-Haus Leipzig WordPress Blog
Sources used for the series:
German-language:
- Jürgen Möller, “Die letzte Schlacht–Leipzig 1945”, Verlag Rockstuhl, 2014.
- Manfred v. Ungern-Sternberg, “Spaziergang nach Leipzig. Beitrag zur Leipziger Stadtgeschichte. Ein Bericht zum Kriegsende 1945. Erlebnisse eines Thomaners”, Shaker Media GmbH, 2020.
- “Leipzig am Ende des Krieges” – Eine Ausstellung des Stadtarchivs Leipzig (PDF), 2005.
- Leipziger Volkszeitung, “Kriegsende vor 80 Jahren in Leipzig: Leserinnen und LVZ-Leser berichten von harten Zeiten”.
- Leipziger Volkszeitung, “Leipzigs vergessener Bürgermeister”.
- Leipziger Volkszeitung, “Wie der US-Stadtkommandant von Leipzig das Frühjahr 1945 erlebte”.
English-language:
- Karel Margry, “The battle for Leipzig”, Issue 130 “After The Battle” magazine, Battle of Britain International Ltd, 2005.
- Michael E. Haskew, “Last Stand at Völkerschlachtdenkmal: The Battle of Leipzig, 1945”, Warfare History Network, 2019.
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