Battle for Seelow Heights - WW2 Battlefield Tour

Battle for Seelow Heights - WW2 Battlefield Tour

The largest battle on German soil very few have heard of and every history enthusiast should visit. The scale of this fierce battle beside which the invasion of Normandy tends to pale cannot be underestimated. This little-known town located a short distance from Berlin saw 768,000 Soviet troops and over 22,000 tanks, artillery and aircraft descend on some 200,000 German defenders in the Soviet push toward Berlin to end the Second World War.
• Full day tour of the Seelow Heights battle fields. Tour includes hotel pick up and drop off.
• Visit to the Seelow Heights War museum, Soviet commander Marshal Zhukov’s command bunker, Soviet and German war cemeteries, decisive battle sites and much more
• Uncover the stories of this brutal battle from both Russian and German soldiers as your guide takes you on journey in the footsteps of those who fought.
• Gain expert knowledge into the infamous fighting on the Eastern Front
• Tour Groups are limited to 9 guests

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Gedenkstaette Seelower Hoehen, Kuestriner Str. 28, 15306 Seelow, Brandenburg Germany

Here your guide will provide a detailed overview of the Berlin-Seelow offensive operation and highlight key exhibitions, including a 3D model of the Soviet 1st Belorussian Front bunker and trench network which will be visited later in the tour. Guests will be able to explore the museum at their own leisure following the introduction.

Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Am Reitweiner Sporn, Wuhdener Weg 4, 15328 Reitwein, Germany

After the museum, it is a short drive to the next town of Reitwein. This small and unassuming town played a vital role in the Soviet advance and was the starting point for the 1st Belorussian Front assault on Seelow and the future advance on Berlin. The Soviet’s amassed a force of 768,000 Infantry (including 78,556 soldiers of the Polish 1st Army), 3,059 tanks, 16,934 artillery and mortars as well as 3,279 combat aircraft.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Am Reitweiner Sporn, Wuhdener Weg 4, 15328 Reitwein, Germany

A short walk from the town through the forest the tour will come to the bunker and trench network systems, the remnants of which can still be seen today, including Marshal Zhukov’s command bunker and observation point where he commanded the battle.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Kita Dolgelin, Bahnhofstraße 1 A, 15306 Lindendorf, Germany

Following a small excursion through the trench network the tour will continue to Dolgelin Railway station. It was here that Colonel Scheunemann, commander of the 303rd Infantry Division set up his command post in defence of the heights. Here the tour will take stock of the German defensive positions and highlight the immense difficulties the Russian and Polish troops faced in crossing the aptly named ‘shooting gallery’.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Komturei Lietzen, Lietzen Nord 38, 15306 Lietzen, Germany

From there the tour begins the journey back to Berlin following the original route of the Soviet advance. Passing through the town of Lietzen, the tour will briefly stop at the German field cemetery. It is of meaningful importance as this site has been significantly extended since Unification, as newly found remains are constantly added to the wartime graves. The town also hosts what is said to be Germany’s oldest barn and a manor house built by the Knights Templar dating back to 1252.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Schlosskirche Jahnsfelde, Jahnsfelde, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany

The final stop at the town of Jahnsfelde underpins the brutality and desperation of the fighting. Showcasing a sports field, the once site of a German field hospital mercilessly attacked by Soviet aircraft targeting the red cross markings and the last stand of the 3rd Battalion of the Artillery Regiment 18. Caught at the crossroads by advancing Soviet armor during the withdrawal, the Battalion hastily set up defensive positions destroying an estimated 100 tanks at the cost of 8 officers, 163 killed, over two-thirds of the battalion wounded, and all guns lost.

Duration: 20 minutes

Pass By: Alexanderplatz, 10178 Berlin Germany

Once back in Berlin your guide will drop you back at your hotel or a central point of your choosing.