Battle of Poznan

The Battle of Poznan took place in 1945 during World War II between Soviet troops commanded by General Vasily Chuikov and German Nazi forces. Adolf Hitler designated Poznan as a fortress city, meaning that the German troops should defend it as an enclave from which to harass their enemy. The Soviets laid siege to the city, which lies between Warsaw and Berlin, and captured it after an over month of bitter fighting from January 12 to February 23. German combat deaths were estimated at 6,000 and Soviet losses were at least 12,000. Over 90% of the inner city was damaged. Some believe the fierce German defense at Poznan prevented the Russians from launching an attack on Berlin in February 1945, while others believe the Russian armies would have stopped and consolidated before advancing in any case.