The Battle of the Seelow Heights in World War II

The Battle of the Seelow Heights in World War II The Battle of the Seelow Heights was fought April 16-19, 1945, during World War II (1939-1945). Part of the larger Battle of the Oder-Neisse, the fighting saw Soviet forces attempting to capture Seelow Heights to the east of Berlin. Known as the Gates of Berlin, the heights were assaulted by Marshal Georgy Zhukovs 1st Belorussian Front. Lasting three days, the battle saw extremely bitter fighting as German troops sought to defend their capital. The German position was finally shattered on April 19, opening the road to Berlin. Background Since fighting began on the Eastern Front in June 1941, German and Soviet forces were engaged across the width of the Soviet Union. Having halted the enemy at Moscow, the Soviets were able to slowly push the Germans west aided by key victories at Stalingrad and Kursk. Driving across Poland, the Soviets entered into Germany and began planning for an offensive against Berlin in early 1945. In late March, Marshal Georgy Zhukov, commander of the 1st Belorussian Front, traveled to Moscow to discuss the operation with Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Also present was Marshal Ivan Konev, commander of the 1st Ukrainian Front, whose men were positioned to Zhukovs south. Rivals, both men presented their prospective plans to Stalin for the capture of Berlin. Listening to both marshals, Stalin elected to back Zhukovs plan which called for an assault against the Seelow Heights from the Soviet bridgehead over the Oder River. Though he supported Zhukov, he informed Konev that 1st Ukrainian Front should be ready to strike against Berlin from the south should the 1st Belorussian Front become bogged down around the heights. With the fall of Kà ¶nigsberg on April 9, Zhukov was able to rapidly redeploy his command to a narrow front opposite the heights. This corresponded with Konev shifting the bulk of his men north to a position along the Neisse River. To support his build up in the bridgehead, Zhukov constructed 23 bridges over the Oder and operated 40 ferries. By mid-April, he had assembled 41 divisions, 2,655 tanks, 8,983 guns, and 1,401 rocket launchers in the bridgehead. German Preparations As Soviet forces massed, the defense of the Seelow Heights fell to Army Group Vistula. Led by Colonel-General Gotthard Heinrici, this formation consisted of Lieutenant General Hasso von Manteuffels 3rd Panzer Army to the north and Lieutenant General Theodor Busses 9th Army in the south. Though a sizable command, the bulk of Heinricis units were badly under strength or composed of large numbers of Volksturm militia. Colonel-General Gotthard Heinrici. Public Domain A brilliant defensive tactician, Heinrici immediately began fortifying the heights as well as constructed three defensive lines to defend the area. The second of these was located on the heights and featured a variety of heavy anti-tank weapons. To further impede a Soviet advance, he directed his engineers to open dams further up the Oder to turn the already soft floodplain between the heights and the river into a swamp. To the south, Heinricis right joined with Field Marshal Ferdinand Schà ¶rners Army Group Center. Schà ¶rners left was opposed by Konevs front. Battle of Seelow Heights Conflict: World War IIDates: April 16-19, 1945Armies Commanders:Soviet UnionMarshal Georgy Zhukovapproximately 1,000,000 menGermanyColonel-General  Gotthard Heinrici112,143 menCasualties:Soviets: approximately 30,000-33,000 killedGermans: approximately 12,000 killed The Soviets Attack At 3:00 AM on April 16, Zhukov commenced a massive bombardment of the German positions using artillery and Katyusha rockets. The bulk of this struck the first German defensive line in front of the heights. Unknown to Zhukov, Heinrici had anticipated the bombardment and had withdrawn the bulk of his men back to the second line on the heights. Surging forward a short time later, Soviet forces began moving across the inundated Oderbruch Valley. The swampy terrain, canals, and other obstructions in the valley badly impeded the advance and the Soviets soon began to take heavy losses from German anti-tank guns on the heights. With the attack bogging down, General Vasily Chuikov, commanding the 8th Guards Army, attempted to push his artillery forward to better support his men near the heights. Soviet artillery during the Battle of Seelow Heights, April 1945. Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-E0406-0022-012 / CC-BY-SA 3.0 With his plan unraveling, Zhukov learned that Konevs attack to the south was having success against Schà ¶rner. Concerned that Konev might reach Berlin first, Zhukov ordered his reserves to move forward and enter the battle in the hope that added numbers would bring a breakthrough. This order was issued without consulting Chuikov and soon the roads were jammed with 8th Guards artillery and the advancing reserves. The resulting confusion and intermixing of units led to a loss of command and control. As a result, Zhukovs men ended the first day of battle without achieving their goal of taking the heights. Reporting the failure to Stalin, Zhukov learned that the Soviet leader had directed Konev to turn north towards Berlin. Grinding Through the Defenses During the night, Soviet artillery successfully moved forward. Opening with a massive barrage on the morning of April 17, it signaled another Soviet advance against the heights. Pressing forward throughout the day, Zhukovs men began to make some headway against the German defenders. Clinging to their position, Heinrici and Busse were able to hold until nightfall but were aware that they could not maintain the heights without reinforcements. Though parts of two SS Panzer divisions were released, they would not reach Seelow in time. The German position at the Seelow Heights was further compromised by Konevs advance to the south. Attacking again on April 18, the Soviets began to push through the German lines, though at a heavy price. By nightfall, Zhukovs men had reached the final line of German defenses. Also, Soviet forces were beginning to bypass the heights to the north. Combined with Konevs advance, this action threatened to envelop the Heinricis position. Charging forward on April 19, the Soviets overwhelmed the last German defensive line. With their position shattered, German forces began retreating west towards Berlin. With the road open, Zhukov began a rapid advance on Berlin. Aftermath In the fighting at the Battle of the Seelow Heights, the Soviets sustained over 30,000 killed as well as lost 743 tanks and self-propelled guns. German losses numbered around 12,000 killed. Though a heroic stand, the defeat effectively eliminated the last organized German defenses between the Soviets and Berlin. Moving west, Zhukov and Konev encircled the German capital on April 23 and the former began the final battle for the city. Falling on May 2, World War II in Europe ended five days later.

Zionism essays

Zionism essays For at least two thousand years Jews were dispersed all over the world. Some of them inevitably assimilated with other nations. Yet many kept their identity as a nation by staying loyal to their religious faith and by their desire to survive as one people preserving common racial features and cultural traditions. Some European anti-Jewish tendencies and the suspicious attitude to Jews in oriental cultures contributed to their solidarity. For centuries Jews cherished the idea of returning to their native land. But it was only in the 19th century that the idea developed into a political movement called Zionism. At first the movement was not very popular among Jews. There were supporters, but most rabbis considered the concept of restoring Israel possible only after the coming of the Messiah. The movement started in Russia and spread to other countries. The idea was elaborated first in the book by German socialist Hess who tried to prove that the Jews could create a socialistic state in Israel. Much more popular was another book by Z. Pinsker called "Auto-Emancipation" and published in 1882. The book revealed the fact that the lack of Jewish own state accounts for social and psychological discomfort experienced by them. Under the influence of this publication clubs and study groups appeared in Russia, Where Jews were mostly persecuted. Russia was the first country from which Jews began to emigrate to Palestine for settling down. Despite the help from several powerful Jewish institutions in Europe, they faced many obstacles and hardships, in the first place because the country was ruled by the Turkish Government hostile to Russians. Enthusiasm of early Russian Zionists was mostly romantic and probably doomed to failure. The basis for mature political Zionism was created by Herzl, who wrote the work "Jews' state" in 1896. He was a recognized author who summarized and explained the ideas of early Zionists to thousands of ...

Brief Summary of French History

Brief Summary of French History France is a country in Western Europe that is roughly hexagonal in shape. It has existed as a country for a little over a thousand years  and has managed to fill those with some of the most important events in European history. It is bordered by the English Channel to the north, Luxembourg and Belgium to the northeast, Germany and Switzerland to the east, Italy to the southeast, the Mediterranean to the south, southwest by Andorra and Spain and west by the Atlantic Ocean. It currently has a president at the top of government. Historical Summary of France The country of France emerged from the fragmentation of the larger Carolingian empire, when Hugh Capet became King of West Francia in 987. This kingdom consolidated power and expanded territorially, becoming known as â€Å"France†. Early wars were fought over land with English monarchs, including the Hundred Years War, then against the Habsburgs, especially after the latter inherited Spain and appeared to surround France. At one point France was closely associated with the Avignon Papacy, and experienced wars of religion after the Reformation between a twisting combination of Catholic and Protestant. French royal power reached its peak with the reign of Louis XIV (1642 – 1715), known as the Sun King, and French culture dominated Europe. Royal power collapsed fairly quickly after Louis XIV and within a century France experienced the French Revolution, which began in 1789, overthrew Louis XVI and established a republic. France now found itself fighting wars and exporting its world-changing events across Europe. The French Revolution was soon usurped by a general called Napoleon, and the ensuing Napoleonic Wars saw France first militarily dominate Europe, then be defeated. The monarchy was restored, but instability followed and a second republic, second empire and third republic followed in the nineteenth century. The early twentieth century was marked by two German invasions, in 1914 and 1940, and a return to a democratic republic after liberation. France is currently in its Fifth Republic, established in 1959 during upheavals in society.   Key People from the History of France King Louis XIV (1638 - 1715): Louis XIV succeeded to the French throne as a minor in 1642 and ruled until 1715; for many contemporaries, he was the only monarch they ever knew. Louis was the apogee of French absolutist rule and the pageantry and success of his reign earned him the epithet ‘The Sun King’. He has been criticised for letting other European nations grow in strength.Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 - 1821): A Corsican by birth, Napoleon trained in the French army and success gained him a reputation, enabling him to get close to the political leaders of late-revolutionary France. Such was Napoleon’s prestige that he was able to seize power and transform the country into an Empire with himself at its head. He was initially successful in European wars, but was beaten and twice forced into exile by a coalition of European nations.Charles de Gaulle (1890 - 1970): A military commander who argued for mobile warfare when France turned instead to the Maginot Line, de G aulle became the leader of the Free French forces during the Second World War and then Prime Minister of the liberated country. After retiring he came back to politics in the late 50s to found the French Fifth Republic and create its constitution, ruling until 1969

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Nursing Program-Ethical Dilemma - Research Paper Example Within the health care provision, there is the nursing profession that deals with the care that is provided to the individuals, communities, and families in a bid to make them attain, recover, and maintain a quality life with optimal health. There is, however, a clear differentiation of nursing from other health care providers through several criteria that revolve around their approach to the patient in providing care, practice, scope as well as the training (Guido 62). It will be appreciated that most of the nurses only provide care with the directive of the physician, and this is probably why nursing profession is referred to as care providers. The assignments undertaken by nurses are challenging, and they usually strive to offer the best out of their capacity. Despite this, they encounter a challenging and ethical dilemma and meet varied reaction from the parties involved. In this regard, there have been cases that nurses made decision which were not welcoming to a selected group of persons. Nevertheless, nurses are also allowed to independently practice and make jurisdictions based on their level of training. Due to the technological advancement in various fields, nursing has faced several evolutions and is diverting rapidly to accommodate areas that traditionally were not observed to be valuable. According to the American Nursing Association (ANA), nursing is referred to as a profession that takes the responsibility of providing protection, optimizing health, promoting those skills that will enhance a healthy living and alleviating suffering inflicted through unrelenting diagnosis and treatment (Bishop and Scudder 54). They are also believed to be the advocates for the families, communities, population and individuals so that the latter can embrace a healthy living life. With reference to this, it is unfortunate that nurses are faced with several issues during the discharge of their duties, and this is impairing their abilities to take full responsibilities in the wor k that they should do. Nurses are also faced with a plethora of ethical dilemmas that need to be adequately addresses to allow them have courage and take charge for their duties. When encountered by an ethical dilemma, the decision one makes may have severe consequences, which may be beyond his/her capacity. In this regard, several nurses have been charged for action that they have done while providing care for the patients, and this has attracted a divided opinion on the same. In this regard, careful consideration of all aspects of an activity should be done to ensure that the right course of action is taken. Nurses have the responsibility of providing the best service to their clients (patient), in a bid to ensure that their recovery is quick. Despite this, it is also agreed that the recovery of a patient is to some extent beyond the capabilities of nurses. There are the proponents of the opinion that nurses have to be charged in case of deteriorating health of the patient which c an be attributed to them. On the same breath, there are those who believe that nurses are supposed to be cushioned by the law under such circumstance that a dilemma arises and not be liable for any prosecution in a given case. The opponents of the nurses’ prosecution believe that there is no justification to file a suit for a nurse who is discharging a mandate, and resolving a dilemma, opt for a course that dissatisfies other parties. They propose that in the case of a dilemma, the nurse should remain supreme and be insulated against any form of prosecution. Moreover, no matter how direct the solution to a problem appear, any decision made meet mixed reactions, and thus it is impossible to meet the expectation of all persons. In this regard, provided that the

Accounting Cash Flow Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

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Advertising,Sales and Promotion - Assignment Example e border and the Welsh Development Agency says this will ensure businesses will benefit from some of the billions it costs to stage the event.A spokesman for the London Olympic bid said that facilities including Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the National Velodrome in Newport and the National Pool in Swansea would be ideal bases for athletes to acclimatize ahead of the games.Many small businesses, especially micro businesses of fewer than five employees, and new businesses struggling to start and to grow, did not always know a lot about what IT could do for them or how to use it to best effect.The programme is in three sections. One is about emails, scanning documents and using email rather than fax. Ecommerce is about doing more business using a website, for example enabling billing and payment to be done online. Those who don't have websites can be shown how to set them up."Initial estimates suggest the Games will attract additional spending by visitors of 187 million in London. A L ondon Games will require a workforce of 67,000 and approximately 3,500 "job years" would be created during the event itself"1. There is no doubt that the staging of the Olympic Games in London in 2012 will lead to a major capital programme as well as

Executive Remuneration Principles and practice Coursework

Executive Remuneration Principles and practice - Coursework Example There was a big financial crisis in 2007. The remuneration practices for the executives in large financial institutions and industrial firms played a large role in that crisis.1 The main slogan of these debates was "there should be a fair compensation". The meaning of this line can be implied in the following ways 2 : For gaining a big profit, the managers or the agents interest does not necessarily match with that of the shareholders.3 They run the show according to their convenience and satisfaction, even if that hurts the shareholders sentiments. This can cost the firm to lose a strategically important acquisitions offers and even a takeover decision as well. This might increase the value of the shareholders but the position of the managers will be at stake. If we look into the matter in this aspect, then a fair remuneration is that which is given as per the market condition and value. This should be decided by a healthy negotiation. The second important factor in this regard is disclosure or precisely a better transparency.4 This is also important as far as the accounting is concerned. This acts as an important monitoring tool that deals with the fairness of remuneration. This is beneficial for the company as well as the market authority and the stakeholders that help them put forward a stren uous auditing activity. The people who are in charge of remuneration decision, decide on the remuneration that may not be a fair one and also it lacks transparency. Improvement of the corporate governance policies makes the task of decision-making easier. Promoting fair regulators, negotiations and also few best practices act as boosters to this step.5 There are chances that new and improved decision steps are being added. The purpose of this is not only limited to the creation of an independent board that has an internal remuneration committee, but also to allow the shareholders to be an important part of the remuneration process.6