Torgau, Sachsen, Germany
Defeat and Liberation-The Meeting on the Elbe
The Russian Monument
By Don Morfe, July 4, 2008
1. Defeat and Liberation-The Meeting on the Elbe Marker-English only
Defeat and Liberation-The Meeting on the Elbe. The Russian Monument. On April 25, 1945, US Soldiers of the 273rd Regiment, 69th Infantry Division and Soviet troops of the 173rd Regiment, 58th Rifle Division clambered toward each other over the ruins of the Elbe Bridge, destroyed the same morning by the retreating Germans. The meeting on the Elbe at Torgau sealed the defeat of Germany’s Nazi dictatorship, which had covered Europe with a war of aggression and annihilation. The liberation that came from without, however, carried in it the seed of Europe’s division into East and West, which was to last more than forty years. The city of Torgau has erected plaques (marked on the map) to call attention to five historic sites which document the human suffering of different periods of persecution in twentieth-century Germany.
On April 25, 1945, US Soldiers of the 273rd Regiment, 69th Infantry Division and Soviet troops of the 173rd Regiment, 58th Rifle Division clambered toward each other over the ruins of the Elbe Bridge, destroyed the same morning by the retreating Germans. The meeting on the Elbe at Torgau sealed the defeat of Germany’s Nazi dictatorship, which had covered Europe with a war of aggression and annihilation. The liberation that came from without, however, carried in it the seed of Europe’s division into East and West, which was to last more than forty years. The city of Torgau has erected plaques (marked on the map) to call attention to five historic sites which document the human suffering of different periods of persecution in twentieth-century Germany.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • War, World II.
Location. 51° 33.581′ N, 13° 0.566′ E. Marker is in Torgau, Sachsen. Memorial is on Elbstrassse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Torgau, Sachsen 04860, Germany. Touch for directions.
By Don Morfe, July 4, 2008
2. Defeat and Liberation-The Meeting on the Elbe Marker-several languages
By Don Morfe, July 4, 2008
3. Russian Monument at the Elbe River
Note: The top of the monument is not showing in this photo.
By Don Morfe, July 4, 2008
4. Russian Monument plaque
English only-Glory to the victorious Red Army and our heroic allies having triumphed over fascist Germany.
By Don Morfe, July 4, 2008
5. The Russian Monument at the Elbe River-top portion
By Don Morfe, July 4, 2008
6. Russian Monument plaque-reverse side
Here on the Elbe on April 25, 1945 the forces of the First Ukrainian Front of the Red Army linked up with American Forces.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 400 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 17, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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