South German Offensive

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Southern German Offensive
Part of the Invasion of Germany during World War II
3. US Inf.-Div. in Nurnberg, 20.04.1945.jpg
US Forces walking through a devastated Nuremberg.
Date28 March - 12 May 1945
Location
Southeast Nazi Germany (Present day Germany, Austria and Czech Republic)
Result Decisive Allied Victory
Belligerents
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States
Flag of France.svg France
Flag of the Soviet Union (1936-1955).svg  Soviet Union
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechoslovakia
Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Germany
Naval Ensign of Russia.svg ROA
Commanders and leaders
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jacob Devers
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Patton
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Alexander Patch
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg LeRoy Irwin
Flag of France.svg Jean L. Tassigny
Flag of the Soviet Union (1936-1955).svg Ivan Konev
Carl Friedrich
Karl Holz  
Max Bork
Strength
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg United States:
Third Army
Seventh Army
Flag of France.svg France:
First Army
Flag of the Soviet Union (1936-1955).svg Soviet Union:
1st Ukrainian Front
2nd Ukrainian Front
3rd Ukrainian Front
First Army
Seventh Army
Nineteenth Army

The South German Offensive is the general name of one of the final offensives of World War II in Europe. The offensive was led by the Seventh and Third armies of the United States along with the First Army of France. Soviet troops linked up with American forces in Czechoslovakia notably in the Battle of Slivice.[ citation needed ] The offensive was made by the US 6th Army Group to protect the US 12th Army Group's right flank and to prevent a German last stand in the Alps. However German resistance was much more fierce than in the north, which slowed the 6th Army Group's progress. However, by the end of April, many German divisions surrendered without a fight to the advancing American forces to avoid the inevitable destruction. The VI Corps of the Seventh Army linked up with the US Fifth Army, which fought through Italy, in the Alps as the Third Army advanced into Austria and Czechoslovakia, where it linked up with Soviet forces advancing from the east. Fighting continued a few days after the Surrender of Germany on 8 May, due to German forces fighting west to surrender to the Americans instead of the Soviets.

World War II 1939–1945 global war

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