During the battle of Berlin, Tempelhof Airport became the most important command hub and supply depot for the German forces operating in the south of the city. Therefore, the Soviets made the capture of the airport a key objective in their strike towards the centre of the city.
However, there was *another* reason why Tempelhof Airport was an attractive prize for the Soviets…as rumours had reached Red Army commanders detailing how Luftwaffe planes stood ready in underground hangars, waiting to fly the Nazi leadership out of the city if the Germans lost control of Berlin…
General Chuikov’s 8th Guards Army and General Katukov’s 1st Guards Tank Army were determined to seize the airport. So between the 25th & 26th of April, the airport played host to some of the most savage and brutal fighting seen during the battle of Berlin.
The airport was defended in part by the Panzer Division Müncheberg, who did their best to repel the Soviets. But the overwhelming numbers of Soviet infantry, tanks, and guns broke the back of the German defenders. Subsequently, in order to escape being encircled and cut off by the advancing Soviet forces, the remaining German defenders pulled out of the airport by the afternoon of the 26th of April.
Today, the airport is no longer in operation, and instead of bumping into T 34 tanks and Katushya rocket launchers, you’re far more likely to see skateboarders rolling down the runways, and groups of children playing football in the old airfields.
But if you know where to look, you can find *plenty* of bullet holes and shrapnel damage on the walls and steps of the airport buildings – along with lots of plastered-up holes near the windows. All of which bear testament to the ferocity of the fighting which took place here…
To hear more about the battle for Tempelhof Airport and to hear personal accounts from a soldier who fought there, check out the latest episode of the Europe At War podcast!