768,000 vs 150,000: Battle for the Seelow Heights 1945

Duration7h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Group sizeUp to 7 travelers

Overview

**The Battle That Opened the Road to Berlin**
On 16 April 1945, Marshal Zhukov launched the largest artillery bombardment in history against German positions 90 minutes east of Berlin. 768,000 Soviet troops. 150,000 Germans. Three days that decided whether Berlin would fall in days or weeks. And almost nobody has heard of it.

**The Western Front, You Know. The Eastern Front You Don't.**
Most travellers visiting WWII sites know Normandy, the Bulge, the Rhine. The Eastern Front — larger, harder, the war's other half — is rarely walked by English-speaking visitors. Seelow Heights is the closest you can stand to it without leaving Germany.

**What You'll Walk**
Stand at Marshal Zhukov's command post. Walk the German trenches on the Heights. See the anti-tank ditch at Sachsendorf Trace the Oderbruch "Shooting Gallery". See where a Flak battalion made its last stand.

Specialist military historian. Max 7 guests.

Featured on National Geographic: "World War II: Secrets from Above"

What's included

Small Bottle of Water
Morning tea at the museum (tea, coffee, biscuits)
Small group experience — maximum 7 guests
Pre-arrival briefing during the 60-minute drive from Berlin
Entry to the Seelow Heights War Museum
Air-conditioned vehicle
Specialist military historian guide
Return debrief and Q&A on the drive back
"Then & Now" maps and photographs

Lunch and drinks (lunch stop included guests pay their own bill — bring cash)
Hotel pickup and drop-off (available as a paid upgrade — €30 per person surcharge, contact us)
Gratuities
Personal travel insurance

What to expect

Gedenkstaette Seelower Hoehen
40m · Admission ticket included

Here your guide will provide a detailed overview of the Berlin-Seelow offensive operation and highlight key exhibitions, including a 3D model of the Soviet 1st Belorussian Front bunker and trench network which will be visited later in the tour. Guests will be able to explore the museum at their own leisure following the introduction.
20m

After the museum, it is a short drive to the next town of Reitwein. This small and unassuming town played a vital role in the Soviet advance and was the starting point for the 1st Belorussian Front assault on Seelow and the future advance on Berlin. The Soviet’s amassed a force of 768,000 Infantry (including 78,556 soldiers of the Polish 1st Army), 3,059 tanks, 16,934 artillery and mortars as well as 3,279 combat aircraft.
30m

A short walk from the town through the forest the tour will come to the bunker and trench network systems, the remnants of which can still be seen today, including Marshal Zhukov’s command bunker and observation point where he commanded the battle.
20m

Following a small excursion through the trench network the tour will continue to Dolgelin Railway station. It was here that Colonel Scheunemann, commander of the 303rd Infantry Division set up his command post in defence of the heights. Here the tour will take stock of the German defensive positions and highlight the immense difficulties the Russian and Polish troops faced in crossing the aptly named ‘shooting gallery’.
30m

From there the tour begins the journey back to Berlin following the original route of the Soviet advance. Passing through the town of Lietzen, the tour will briefly stop at the German field cemetery. It is of meaningful importance as this site has been significantly extended since Unification, as newly found remains are constantly added to the wartime graves. The town also hosts what is said to be Germany’s oldest barn and a manor house built by the Knights Templar dating back to 1252.
20m

The final stop at the town of Jahnsfelde underpins the brutality and desperation of the fighting. Showcasing a sports field, the once site of a German field hospital mercilessly attacked by Soviet aircraft targeting the red cross markings and the last stand of the 3rd Battalion of the Artillery Regiment 18. Caught at the crossroads by advancing Soviet armor during the withdrawal, the Battalion hastily set up defensive positions destroying an estimated 100 tanks at the cost of 8 officers, 163 killed, over two-thirds of the battalion wounded, and all guns lost.
Alexanderplatz
Pass by

Once back in Berlin your guide will drop you back at your hotel or a central point of your choosing.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The tour meets at the main vehicle entrance (opposite side of the Burger King) of the Park Inn Hotel at Alexanderplatz.

Hotel Pick up and Drop off is available for an additional charge. Please email us for details.

End point

The tour meets at the main vehicle entrance (opposite side of the Burger King) of the Park Inn Hotel at Alexanderplatz.

Hotel Pick up and Drop off is available for an additional charge. Please email us for details.

Additional information

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

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