The SS Holdouts Secret Battles After WWII’s Official End #history #ww2 #germany #ThirdReich

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]After Germany's unconditional surrender on May 7th, 1945, fighting still continued in parts of Europe for days and even weeks.

[00:00:08]As the Third Reich collapsed, some isolated SS units kept fighting after surrender.

[00:00:13]In Prague, SS [music] forces battled Czech and Soviet troops, while about 7,000 men tried to break west under Karl [music] Friedrich von Pucklerberg house, but the retreat failed and fighting ended around May 12th.

[00:00:25]In the Baltic, [music] most Courland forces surrendered on May 9th, while a final breakout attempt failed.

[00:00:31]In the Balkans, the 7th SS [music] Prinz Eugen Division tried to reach Austria, but was intercepted near Celje and forced to surrender, with its commander later executed in 1947. [music] The Battle of Poljana, 14 to 15 May 1945, was one of [music] the last clashes in Europe as retreating German and Cossack forces tried to reach British-held [music] Austria, but were defeated, with many who surrendered later handed over to the Soviets and their commander Helmuth von Pannwitz executed in 1947.