Crickets in Spring

The Lake Balaton offensive, code named FRUHLINGSERWACHEN (Spring Awakening) began on 6 March. The “Hitlerjugend” division launched its part of the attack at 0400. The first day was disappointing as the division made little progress against the Soviet 26th Army. On 7 March, the Germans attacked again. …

1945-03-07

AP131

The Lake Balaton offensive, code named FRUHLINGSERWACHEN (Spring Awakening) began on 6 March. The “Hitlerjugend” division launched its part of the attack at 0400. The first day was disappointing as the division made little progress against the Soviet 26th Army. On 7 March, the Germans attacked again. SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25 attacked Fekete-Puszta, but gained very little ground before being stopped by heavy resistance. SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26 made much better progress in its attack since it was supported by a panzer battalion and part of a self-propelled gun battalion. Its Bataillon II advanced further south but was stalled on the outskirts of Aranyos-Puszta. The Soviets launched a number of counterattacks, especially against the German right flank, but tanks and three Grille self-propelled guns supported the defense.

Aranyos-Puszta, Hungary

Operation Spring Awakening was the last major German offensive of World War II. It took place in Western Hungary on the Eastern Front. This offensive was referred to in Germany as the Plattensee Offensive and in the Soviet Union as the Balaton Defensive Operation.

German

Russian

Scenario Type = Standard