![]() ![]() The Germans attacked in three prongs: Frühlingserwachen in the Balaton- Lake Velence- Danube area, Eisbrecher south of Lake Balaton, and Waldteufel south of the Drava-Danube triangle. ![]() Many German units were involved, including the 6th Panzer Army and its subordinate Waffen-SS divisions after being withdrawn from the failed Ardennes offensive on the Western Front. The operation, initially planned for 5 March, began after German units were moved in great secrecy to the Lake Balaton ( German: Plattensee) area. The objective was to secure the last significant oil reserves still available to the European Axis powers and prevent the Red Army from advancing towards Vienna. It took place in Western Hungary on the Eastern Front and lasted from 6 March until 15 March, 1945. The operation was referred to in Germany as the Plattensee offensive and in the Soviet Union as the Balaton defensive operation. Operation Spring Awakening ( German: Unternehmen Frühlingserwachen) was the last major German offensive of World War II. 167,940 overall (including ~135,000 combat casualties).Soviet counter-offensive (16 March–15 April 1945): Soviet counter-offensive (16 March–15 April 1945): ~210,000 combat casualties 965 aircraft (17th Air Army only – 3rd Ukrainian Front).37 divisions (discounting air armies and the Yugoslav 3rd Army).850 aircraft (entire Luftflotte 4 for entire Army Group South). ![]()
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