| Latvian-Estonian Offensive | |||||||||||||||||
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| Part of the Second Great War | |||||||||||||||||
 A Tiger II advancing to the front during the Opening stages of the Latvian Offensive | |||||||||||||||||
| Date | May 12 - May 23, 1946 | ||||||||||||||||
| Location | Latvia-Estonia | ||||||||||||||||
| Result |
German Victory
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Operation Spring Mist (Unternehmen Frühlingsernebel) (12 May 1946 – 23 May 1946) was the last major German offensive launched during World War II.
Background[]
After the defeat of Tsaritsyn, Germany began to go on the defensive. Russia had begum mass production of Borovkov Ramjet Fighters capable of rivaling the Me262 and were taking the fight to Germany. Tsar Alexei was also beginning to get weak with the Haemophilia still hanging around. in the North, Estonia had been retaken, and most of Latvia overrun. Lithuania was threatened by the Russian advance, and demanded aid. the Germans hastily began preparing a Counteroffensive to liberate Latvia and Estonia
Opposing Forces[]
Nazi Germany[]
The German army, though Beaten and Briuzed, was still a highly efficient force, and more than ready to take on the Russians. their Armour was mainly Superior, with only the Tsar Alexi III tank being truly feared. the Luftwaffe had dominance in the Air. its Jet Fighters, the Me 262, the Ta 183 with its guided missiles, and the Sinister Hortan IX Flying Wing Stealth Fighter would keep the Russian Air Force off the Troops backs, while the Hs 132 Jet Dive Bomber and the Junkers 187 would attack the Russian troops on the Ground. the Kriegsmarine would appear in strength to challenge the Russian Baltic Fleet.
Russian Empire[]
Knowing that the war is winnable, the Russians morale began to pick up, especially, with the T-34/85 tanks and the Tsar Alexei II variants. Another tank, the Bear (Russian equivalent of the Maus) was beginning to appear on the battlefield, but reliability problems as well as limited numbers meant that they played only limited roles. In the air, the Luftwaffe jets were wrecking havoc, and the average life time of a Russian Pilot was measured in weeks. though numbers of the Borovkov Ramjet Fighter were reaching the front, they were too few to make a serious impact.
The Conflict[]
Map of the Front lines Prior to the Offensive (in light red) and After the offensive (in dark red)
The Opening Attacks[]
At 2:30 AM, the massed German batteries opened fire on the Russian positions. Following this, troops equipped with infrared gear slammed into the Russian positions, who were ill prepared and surprised. The Russians were butchered in the dark, and the German troops pushed forward.
The Russian Response[]
The Second Battle of Riga[]
Riga, the Capital of Latvia, was now within the grasp of the German Spearheads.
On to Estonia[]
The Siege of Tallinn[]
Aftermath[]
The offensive was a great shake up for the Russians, who had confidently stated on Radio Petrograd "The German is Dead". This delayed the offensive into Romania for four months.