Friday Squad Ops: "Last Days of the Luftwaffe" - Fridays: December 5th, 12th, 19th in SEA1.

Frame Time: Fridays, 11PM EST/4AM UTC

The Soviet Red Army smashed its way through German-occupied Poland and Hungary as winter turned to spring in 1945. Warsaw had been liberated, and both Budapest and Königsberg were captured. Stalin now aimed to seize Austria, Czechoslovakia, and as much of Germany as possible before the Nazis surrendered. On 25 March, the 2nd Ukrainian Front launched the Bratislava–Brno offensive by crossing the Hron River. By 30 March, they crossed the Nitra and swept across the Danubian Lowland toward Bratislava. Meanwhile, the 3rd Ukrainian Front advanced into Austria to take Vienna. While street fighting raged through 8 April, other Soviet forces bypassed the city and pushed on toward Linz and Graz. By 15 April, the exhausted remnants of the 6th SS Panzer Army were forced to retreat into the area between Vienna and Linz. The major offensive to capture central Germany and Berlin began on 16 April with assaults along the Oder and Neisse. After days of brutal combat, the 1st Belorussian and 1st Ukrainian Fronts broke through and spread across central Germany. By 24 April, they had encircled Berlin, and the battle entered its final phase. On 25 April, the 2nd Belorussian Front shattered the 3rd Panzer Army's line near Stettin, and the 58th Guards Rifle Division linked up with the U.S. 69th Infantry Division at the Elbe. Soviet forces fought into Berlin as April turned to May, and the city surrendered on 2 May.

The Nazi regime viewed Czechoslovakia and surrounding regions as their final stronghold should Berlin fall, concentrating powerful units there, including elements of the 6th SS Panzer Army and several Panzer and combined armies. After Berlin’s capture, the Soviets pushed toward Prague, sparking a local uprising against the occupiers. The 1st Ukrainian Front opened the Prague Offensive on 6 May, with the 2nd Ukrainian Front attacking the next day and the 4th Ukrainian Front advancing on Olomouc. Pressed on three sides and facing internal resistance, German forces surrendered unconditionally, ending the war in Europe. This FSO will recreate the air battles over the Soviet-German lines in the final month of World War II in Europe.

Monday Night Madness

Time: Mondays, 8PM EST/1AM UTC

Join us in Monday Night Madness! This event promotes quick combat and a great learning environment for pilots who want to hone their skills. Typically the setups feature mid-war aircraft and custom maps to keep things interesting. The week's theme and planeset can typically be found in the General Discussion forum a day or two prior to the event