With the battle over, peace reigns across Leipzig.

However, the American occupation forces are confronted with a new set of challenges in the city.

The dead must be buried, the destroyed buildings must be rebuilt, and if possible, Leipzig’s return to democracy must be achieved.

But whatever challenges the people of Leipzig faced under the Americans, nothing can prepare them for the arrival of the Soviets…

Map: Here is a map giving an overview of the important locations featured in the series.

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Cover photo: AP-Wirephoto

Sources used for the series:

German-language:

Jürgen Möller, "Die letzte Schlacht–Leipzig 1945", Verlag Rockstuhl, 2014.

Manfred v. Ungern-Sternberg, "Spaziergang nach Leipzig: Beitrag zur Leipziger Stadtgeschichte. Ein Bericht zum Kriegsende 1945. Erlebnisse eines Thomaners", Shaker Media GmbH, 2020.

"Leipzig am Ende des Krieges" - Eine Ausstellung des Stadtarchivs Leipzig (PDF), 2005.

Leipziger Volkszeitung, "Kriegsende vor 80 Jahren in Leipzig: Leserinnen und LVZ-Leser berichten von harten Zeiten".

Leipziger Volkszeitung, "Leipzigs vergessener Bürgermeister".

Leipziger Volkszeitung, "Wie der US-Stadtkommandant von Leipzig das Frühjahr 1945 erlebte".

English-language:

Karel Margry, "The battle for Leipzig", Issue 130 "After The Battle" magazine, Battle of Britain International Ltd, 2005.

Michael E. Haskew, "Last Stand at Völkerschlachtdenkmal: The Battle of Leipzig, 1945", Warfare History Network, 2019.