Battle of Hamburg

The Battle of Hamburg took place at the end of the Second World War. It was fought between 3 divisions of the British Army’s XII Corps, under Lt. Gen. Richie, and 2 decimated and war-weary divisions of the German 1st Parachute Army (1. Fallschirm Armee), commanded by Kurt Student, from April 18 to May 3, 1945, in the city of Hamburg, Germany.

Having crossed the Rhine River on March 23, 1945, during Operation Plunder, the British forces had pushed their way into German territory as they constituted the northern flank of the Allied offensive. By April 18, the British 7th Armoured Division had reached the countryside of Hamburg. The German paratroopers had taken positions and they were waiting for them. Thus, as soon they moved into the city, fierce fighting broke out.

Reinforced by German national militia (Volkssturm) and units of the Hitler Youth, the German paratroopers put up a stiff resistance. The battle raged on for several days, with house-to-house fighting, as the British 53rd and 15th Infantry Divisions made their way through the streets of Hamburg. With no logistic support, the German began to run out of ammunition and to surrender, and, by May 3, the last pockets of resistance had been cleared.

Below a map of northern Germany, showing the advance towards Hamburg of the British XII Corps in late April 1945.