In February, seven Soviet Armies eneirclcd the German 4th Army, which included the Hermann Góring Parachute Panzer Corps, in the Heiligenbeil Pocket. The pocket contained 120,000 combat and 30,000 support troops, which could now only be supplied by sea...

In February, seven Soviet Armies eneirclcd the German 4th Army, which included the Hermann Góring Parachute Panzer Corps, in the Heiligenbeil Pocket. The pocket contained 120,000 combat and 30,000 support troops, which could now only be supplied by sea. Ground activity deereased at the beginning of March, but Russian aircraft still attacked soldiers and eivilians alike. The HG Parachute Panzer Corps contained the HG 2nd Parachute Panzergrenadier, the Grossedeutehland Panzergrenadier, and the 562nd Volksgrenadier Divisions. The Corps was responsible for the defense of the northern sector of the line where, beginning on 13 March, the Soviets launched a series of heavy assaults. The HG 2nd Parachute Panzergrenadicr Division was the focal point of several of these attacks. As the strong Soviet offensive continued, the men of HG put up a determined defense, but were forced to give up ground. A particularly determined Soviet attack began on 24 March.