H.13538 – Beyond the gated entry, sits this stately and elegant home overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, boasting over 7000 Sq Ft of luxurious living area. Mature lush landscaping imparts a sense of tropical solitude and privacy in this beachfront setting with 166 feet of Gulf beach frontage. This exquisite beachfront residence was designed by esteemed architect Andrea Clark Brown and built and finished to the most exacting standards by A. Vernon Allen Builders with an elegant and refined quality all its own. An impeccable home, in an incomparable beachfront location, in the prestigious Port Royal neighborhood.
The Real Estate Listing information for MLS 218059080 comes from the cooperative Broker Reciprocity Program in Florida. The Broker Reciprocity Program Icon is shown for all Broker Reciprocity Program Listings and the Detail Page includes the name of the participating Listing Broker. The real estate at 3430 Gordon Dr Naples FL 34102 may not be the only available Broker Reciprocity Program Listing in the community and Sun Realty may not be the Listing Brokerage. Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed or warranted and should be checked for accuracy prior to engaging in any transaction. This website indicates one source of 'Market Value' and we suggest that you look at several other sources to get the best idea of the Real Estate Market Value before entering into any real estate transaction. If you have questions about the value shown please contact Collier County Property Appraiser.


text:
New York City Teamsters Reelect Executive Board
NEW YORK, NY – The delegates of Teamsters Joint Council 16 reelected its executive board at a meeting this morning. The delegates, who are elected leaders of the 27 Teamster locals in New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley, reelected George Miranda as President and the six other executive board officers unanimously to a new four-year term.
Teamsters Joint Council 16 and its locals represent 120,000 workers in a wide range of industries, including trucking and deliveries, sanitation, warehousing, manufacturing, school buses, public sector, film and television, construction materials, airlines, and parking.
"As one of New York's largest and strongest unions, Teamsters Joint Council 16 will continue to fight for good jobs and social justice for all New Yorkers," said George Miranda. "More than ever, we need a strong labor movement to defend working families and organize in changing industries. I would like to congratulate our whole leadership team and thank New York's Teamsters for their trust in us."
In addition to Miranda, Harry Nespoli of Teamsters Local 831, the Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association, was reelected as Vice President. Demos Demopoulos of Teamsters Local 553 was reelected as Secretary-Treasurer. Gregory Floyd of Teamsters Local 237 was reelected as Recording Secretary. Thomas Gesualdi of Local 282, Lou Calemine of Local 295, and Matthew Bruccoleri of Local 272 were reelected as Trustees.
Under the leadership of Miranda and the executive board, Joint Council 16 has built strong alliances with environmental and community groups to campaign for a sustainable sanitation system, clean ports, and other progressive priorities. Recent victories include a new commercial waste zone system to reform the private sanitation industry and strong new contracts for school bus, heating oil, airline, and concrete industry Teamsters.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Paul Krassner began publishing a small-circulation magazine called The Realist in New York City in 1958 because he believed there existed excessive restraints on speech in American culture. The publication began with a combination of earnest critiques and good-humored satires on such topics as organized religion, sexual mores, Cold War paranoia, and civil rights. By the mid-sixties, the magazine was enlarging the space not just for what opinions could be expressed but also for the way those opinions were expressed and, in the process, testing the boundaries of obscenity. As Krassner became a bitter opponent of the Vietnam War and the administration that waged it, he combined vulgarity and protest into a startling form of self-expression that, ultimately, resulted in the magazine's best-remembered piece. Issues of The Realist from 1968 demonstrate that Krassner flirted with political radicalism, particularly in that heady year, but ultimately, his war was with the cultural censors. The humor in The Realist, both bold and sophomoric, led to denunciations from journalists, politicians, and feminists. The condemnation of the latter group particularly stung the usually thick-skinned editor, who had long made the case for equal pay and reproductive rights for women. The Realist is the principal example of a 1960s publication – and, by mid-decade, a widely read one – that reveled in psychedelic and sexual experimentation, condemned what it considered evil, but above all, considered the right to self-expression the most essential American value.
Wagner, Terry Joel, ""To liberate communication": the Realist and Paul Krassner's 1960s" (2010). LSU Master's Theses. 3562.


text:
Q: How to apply CMS HCC Hierarchy / trumping logic in SQL? I've spent a lot of time trying to see if this exists elsewhere, but unfortunately it doesn't. I think I've solved it, but am looking for any advice on how to make this a bit more elegant/streamlined. Hopefully this will help someone else!
CMS publishes a Risk Adjustment model where diseases are grouped into hierarchies. Only the most severe form of the disease is counted toward a patient's Risk Adjustment Score. CMS does publish the model in SAS, but not in SQL. Every other aspect of the model is straightforward apart from applying the hierarchy / trumping logic below.
There are two tables, one containing member/patient IDs and their hierarchical condition categories (HCCs). The other table is the hierarchy table, where only the most severe form of the HCC is meant to be kept:
Members:

memberId
HCC

A
17

A
18

A
19

B
18

B
19

C
19

Hierarchy

HCC
dropHCC

17
18

17
19

18
19

If a member has 17, 18, and 19, only 17 would be kept as a result. If a member only has 19, then 19 would remain. 17 is considered a more severe form of the condition category which includes 18 and 19, but for scoring purposes we'd only want to count 17.
So, applying the Hierarchy to the Members table, the results should be:

memberId
HCC

A
17

B
18

C
19

As mentioned, I've already solved this. I'm wondering if there are any other ways that are more efficient/elegant?
;with members as (
select 123456 as memberID, 17 as hcc
UNION
select 123456 as memberID, 18 as hcc
UNION
select 123456 as memberID, 19 as hcc
UNION
select 2222222 as memberID, 19 as hcc
UNION
select 9999999 as memberID, 18 as hcc
UNION
select 9999999 as memberID, 19 as hcc
)
, Hierarchy as
(
Select 17 as hcc, 18 as dropHCC, 'diabetes1' as hccCategory
UNION
Select 17 as hcc, 19 as dropHCC, 'diabetes1' as hccCategory
UNION
Select 18 as hcc, 19 as dropHCC, 'diabetes2' as hccCategory
)

select m.*--, h2.dropHCC as hccRemovedBy
from members m
left join(
    select m.*, r.drophcc
    from members m
    inner join ( select memberid, m.hcc, h.drophcc
            from members m
            inner join hierarchy h on h.hcc = m.hcc) r on
        r.memberid = m.memberid
        and r.dropHCC = m.hcc) h2
        on h2.memberID = m.memberID
        and h2.hcc = m.hcc
where h2.dropHCC is null --remove this criteria in the event you want to see what dropped

A: Why can't you just use MIN(HCC)?
If this is simplified data and the real HCC codes are not integers but are truly hierarchical then you might need to look at a recursive CTE.  These can be tricky to write, but basically it is a CTE that has two parts,  the first part generates a base dataset (the top of the hierarchy) and then UNIONS a second query that references the CTE you are creating, normally with some sort of additive value (Hierarchy depth or concatenated string).  You can then match the correct hierarcy record to the rows in your dataset and use them as a filter (e.g. MIN(HierarchyDepth) or LEFT(HierarchyString, LEN(HCC) = HCC)
Depending on the context of where you use it there are recursion limits.  By default these are 100, but you can explicity set an option to change that, BUT NOT IF YOU ARE USING IT IN A TABLE FUNCTION!!!!.  It is computationally quite expensive so if the data is slow to change you may want to persist it to the database so it can be indexed.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Fairfax, VA – October 31, 2012 – The Stevie Awards, organizer of the world's premier business awards programs, has issued a call for entries for the 2013 (7th annual) Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Entry kits and complete details on the competition are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Sales.
All customer service, contact center, business development, and sales departments, teams and professionals worldwide are eligible to be nominated, in addition to new products and services used by those professionals. The 2013 awards will recognize achievements since July 1, 2011.
The entry deadline is November 14, but late entries will be accepted through January 15 with payment of a late fee. Winners of the seventh annual competition will be announced at a gala awards dinner on February 25 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.
The competition will be judged by more than 200 professionals around the world.
Winners of the most recent edition of the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service included Aprimo, Bombardier Aerospace, Borro Limited, FedEx, Groupon, ING Direct, Salesforce.com, Sales Partnerships, Twitter, Vodafone Turkey, and Volkwagen Group China. A complete list of Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie winners in the sixth edition of the awards is available at www.StevieAwards.com/Sales.
The Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.stevieawards.com/, and follow the Stevie Awards on Twitter @TheStevieAwards.
Sponsors of the 7th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service include Competence Call Center and ValueSelling Associates.


The LSE's head of comms has no regrets about swapping a career in high finance for one in PR, finds Alec Mattinson.
Victoria Brough's career in finance almost ground to a halt before it had even begun.
Fresh out of university and with a prestigious graduate internship at international bank Barings, the recently installed head of corporate comms and media relations at London Stock Exchange Group seemed primed for a career in high finance. Cue Nick Leeson, the broker whose fraudulent trading collapsed the bank in 1995.
'My nice graduate job went out of the window and I had to suddenly think "what do I do now?"' she recalls.
Since then Brough, 37, has travelled a somewhat winding path to her current calling. A FTSE 100 comms head more by chance than planned ascent, she is now firmly entrenched as one of the top female players in financial comms.
She took over the top comms job at the LSE in September 2010 - 'the backbone of the City' as she describes it.
At one time operating steadily as a monopoly, the LSE is now in the middle of a diverse commercial competitive landscape - competing with media firms, tech providers, financial trade processors and other exchanges across the world.
The motivation she has for her current role is palpable and she talks with wide-eyed enthusiasm about the brand and business. She is a gifted communicator, lacking the over-professional sheen of some contemporaries.
Brough has been at the sharp end of in-house comms before, having been at the helm of Reuters when it merged with Thomson in 2008 to create a vast multinational media firm.
The environment at Thomson Reuters eventually proved too slow after it delisted in London following the merger. This triggered itchy feet: 'I'm a public company girl at heart,' she admits.
Despite this, Reuters was Brough's first role in-house, having tasted comms life at financial agency Citigate and then helping to establish Powerscourt.
She is adamant that any successful in-house PR operator needs to have seen both sides of the coin. 'You can't fully appreciate the skills you need as an in-house communicator unless you've serviced clients from an agency perspective,' she says.
Investment banking was more to her liking and she thrived in the testosterone-driven environment of corporate finance at Dresdner Kleinwort. 'It was really exciting and dynamic, although all the stereotypes are true,' she admits.
The late nights and high pressure triggered another change in career when she eventually found her way to Citigate.
What she would create with those objects remains a mystery, but it is an illustration of the resourcefulness and adaptability that have been evident throughout her career. Blue Peter's loss is the industry's gain.
The biggest break was being offered a job in PR by Citigate Dewe Rogerson - I was a banker who had never spoken to a journalist! I owe them for taking a risk on me as I found a career I loved.
To date, there have been three who have really shaped my working life: Rory Godson, MD of Powerscourt, who is terrifyingly clever and has an unrivalled grasp of what makes a good story; Niall FitzGerald, deputy chairman of Thomson Reuters, whose integrity and wisdom had a very powerful impact on me; and a former colleague of mine, Kate Coldwell, who encouraged me to never set the bar too low.
Have passion, aim high, know you will never stop learning. Never think something is 'beneath you' - grasp it with both hands as you never know where it will lead.
Hard work, drive, enthusiasm and initiative. A little humility and humour go down well too.


In a mixing bowl, combine ground pork, salt, pepper, garlic, and green onion. Mix well then set aside.
Using a small knife, make a slit across 1 side of each chili pepper to remove seeds and pith.
Gently stuff each chili pepper with the pork mixture.
Wrap each stuffed chili pepper with the lumpia wrapper. (You may cut the wrapper so the stem and tip of the chili pepper are exposed). Roll tightly and seal the seam with a dab of water. Repeat this step until all the ingredients are consumed.
Heat about 1 inch deep of cooking oil in a pan. Fry the dynamite lumpia until the wrapper turns golden brown. (Do not overcrowd the pan. Cook by batch).
Remove from the pan then drain excess oil.
Serve with vinegar dip or mayo ketchup dip. Enjoy your dynamite lumpia!


text:
Q: How to parse an array of json in scala play framework? I have an array of json objects like this
[
  {
    "events": [
      {
        "type": "message",
        "attributes": [
          {
            "key": "action",
            "value": "withdraw_reward"
          },
          {
            "key": "sender",
            "value": "bob"
          },
          {
            "key": "module",
            "value": "distribution"
          },
          {
            "key": "sender",
            "value": "bob"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "type": "credit",
        "attributes": [
          {
            "key": "recipient",
            "value": "ross"
          },
          {
            "key": "sender",
            "value": "bob"
          },
          {
            "key": "amount",
            "value": "100"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "type": "rewards",
        "attributes": [
          {
            "key": "amount",
            "value": "100"
          },
          {
            "key": "validator",
            "value": "sarah"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "events": [
      {
        "type": "message",
        "attributes": [
          {
            "key": "action",
            "value": "withdraw_reward"
          },
          {
            "key": "sender",
            "value": "bob"
          },
          {
            "key": "module",
            "value": "distribution"
          },
          {
            "key": "sender",
            "value": "bob"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "type": "credit",
        "attributes": [
          {
            "key": "recipient",
            "value": "ross"
          },
          {
            "key": "sender",
            "value": "bob"
          },
          {
            "key": "amount",
            "value": "100"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "type": "rewards",
        "attributes": [
          {
            "key": "amount",
            "value": "200"
          },
          {
            "key": "validator",
            "value": "Ryan"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
]

How to traverse through the types, check if it's type equals to rewards and then go through the attributes and verify if the validator equals to sarah and fetch the value of the key amount? Pretty new to scala and play framework. Any help would be great. Thanks

A: You could parse your JSON into a structure of case classes for easier handling and then extract the wanted field like so:
val json =
"""[
 {"events":[
            {
              "type":"message","attributes":[
                   {"key":"action","value":"withdraw_reward"},
                   {"key":"sender","value":"bob"},
                   {"key":"module","value":"distribution"},
                   {"key":"sender","value":"bob"}
            ]},
           {
             "type":"credit","attributes":[
                  {"key":"recipient","value":"ross"},
                  {"key":"sender","value":"bob"},
                  {"key":"amount","value":"100"}
           ]},
           {
             "type":"rewards","attributes":[
                  {"key":"amount","value":"100"},
                  {"key":"validator","value":"sara"}
           ]}
        ]
 },
   {"events":[
            {
              "type":"message","attributes":[
                        {"key":"action","value":"withdraw_reward"},
                   {"key":"sender","value":"bob"},
                   {"key":"module","value":"distribution"},
                   {"key":"sender","value":"bob"}
            ]},
           {
             "type":"credit","attributes":[
                  {"key":"recipient","value":"ross"},
                  {"key":"sender","value":"bob"},
                  {"key":"amount","value":"100"}
           ]},
           {
             "type":"rewards","attributes":[
                  {"key":"amount","value":"200"},
                  {"key":"validator","value":"Ryan"}
           ]}
        ]
 }
]
"""

case class EventWrapper(events: Seq[Event])
case class KeyValue(key: String, value: String)
case class Event(`type`: String, attributes: Seq[KeyValue])

 import play.api.libs.json._

    implicit val kvReads: Reads[KeyValue] = Json.reads[KeyValue]
    implicit val eventReads: Reads[Event] = Json.reads[Event]
    implicit val eventWrapperReads: Reads[EventWrapper] = Json.reads[EventWrapper]

    val rewardAmountsValidatedBySara = Json
      .parse(json)
      .as[Seq[EventWrapper]]
      .flatMap {
        _.events.collect {
          case Event(t, attributes) if t == "rewards" && attributes.contains(KeyValue("validator", "sara")) =>
            attributes.collect {
              case KeyValue("amount", value) => value
            }
        }.flatten
      }

    val amount = rewardAmountsValidatedBySara.head

For your example, rewardAmountsValidatedBySara would yield a List of Strings containing only the String "100". Which you could retrieve (potentially unsafe) with .head as shown above.
Normally you would not do this, as it could throw an exception on an empty List, so it would be better to use .headOption which returns an Option which you can then handle safely.
Note that the implicit Reads are Macros, which automatically translate into Code, that instructs the Play Json Framework how to read the JsValue into the defined case classes, see the documentation for more info.


text:
Yasmin Evans and Lindsey Russell join Heart in schedule changes for 2022
Published on December 16, 2021 - 2:48 pm
Schedule changes on Heart will see Yasmin Evans and Lindsey Russell joining the station and Dev Griffin taking over weekday evenings.
Dev is replacing Mark Wright who moves back to Saturday afternoons.
"I joined Heart at the start of this year and I'm loving every minute, so to be kicking off 2022 as the host of the Evening Show is just incredible, says Dev, "I'm ridiculously excited, it's going to be loads of fun and I can't wait to spend even more time with our amazing listeners."
Yasmin Evans joins from 1Xtra to present Sunday 12pm till 4pm after recently leaving the BBC, she says: "I'm so excited to be joining Heart in the new year. I can't wait to get to know the listeners and connect with them on a Sunday.
"Whether they're chilling out, cooking a roast or working, I'll bring them all the good vibes they need in the afternoon. I'm really looking forward to being a part of the Global family."
Lindsey Russell, best-known for her 8-year stint hosting Blue Peter, also joins the station to present Saturdays and Sundays from 1am till 6am.
Lindsey says: "I couldn't be more excited to be joining the Global family. After nearly a decade in TV, this is my first ever radio show, and it's so special to be joining a team of so many radio legends who I've looked up to and listened to for years. This is a dream come true!"
Mark Wright's new show will air every Saturday from 4pm, before Heart's Club Classics with Pandora kicks off at 7pm. Mark says: "We are going to get Saturday nights going OFF! It's my favourite time to be with listeners as everyone is in that feel good weekend mood – New Year, New Saturday!"
In other changes, two of Heart's rising stars, Katrina Ridley and Rezzy Ghadjar each have new shows. Katrina takes over Sunday early breakfast show (6am – 9am), and Rezzy becomes the new host of show Friday and Saturday nights from 11pm – 1am.
Elsewhere, Heart's Club Classics will now run from 7pm through to the extended time of 11pm on both Friday and Saturday nights.
dev griffinHeartlindsey russellmark wrightyasmin evans
Ruth Davidson joins Times Radio
Zoe Ball to present special tribute programme to Janice Long on BBC Radio 2
Terry Christian to host special anniversary series of ground-breaking BBC Radio Derby…
Ken Bruce announces line-up of 20 musicians for BBC Radio 2's Piano Room Month
Award winning host Elaina D Smith joins Absolute Radio Country
Clare McDonnell is the new co-host of BBC Radio 5 Live Drivetime
Dr Alex George joins Classic FM to host special programme
Gemma Atkinson and Mike Toolan reunite for new show on Hits Radio


Nearly four years after the commencement of Operation Barbarossa, the German Army stood on the verge of annihilation. What Adolph Hitler expected in 1941 to be a quick victory for National Socialism over its archenemy, "Jewish Bolshevism", had become a brutal war of attrition. By April 1945, the remnants of the German war machine had been pushed back into the Fatherland where they would fight a final battle for survival against the endless masses of the Red Army. The Germans constructed their last prepared defensive positions before Berlin along the Seelow Heights over looking the level plain of the Oder River valley. From their positions on the high ground, the German defenders faced the largest concentration of force to space in the history of warfare. Looking up to the Heights, the restless soldiers of the 1st Byelorussian Front commanded by Marshal G. K. Zhukov were positioned to destroy the German defenders and demonstrate their proficiency in modern combined arms operations to the rest of the world. During this devastating battle, the weight of Soviet combined air and ground operations proved successful despite tactical errors and personality conflicts within the Soviet command structure. Along the Seelow Heights and in the Oderbruch Valley, the new methods of modern combined arms operations reached their zenith as the largest concentration of force in the history of modern warfare opened the final offensive of World War II.
The early years of World War II in Europe saw the evolution of a new kind of warfare exemplified by Germany's decisive victories over Poland, France and the Balkans. The new tactics of the German armed forces utilized a revolutionary doctrine known as Blitzkrieg or lighting war. Blitzkrieg as defined by author and Eastern Front historian Christopher Duffy was, "an offensive way of fighting, which uses the combined efforts of tanks, mechanized infantry, mobile artillery and combat engineers, and calls on the greatest possible close air support." These same tactics were used with great success against Stalin's armies in the opening days of Operation Barbarossa. By the end of 1941, German Army Group North had surrounded and begun a siege of the city of Leningrad, and Army Group Center was approaching the gates of Moscow. Subsequent German offensives in the spring of 1942 by Army Group South drove the Soviet Army back to the City of Stalingrad. The power and effectiveness of the Blitzkrieg seemed unstoppable. However, Soviet leadership above all had learned from their costly mistakes, and by the winter of 1942/43 they were ready to unleash their own version of Blitzkrieg on the Nazi invader.
In November 1942, the Soviets launched a surprise offensive, which completely encircled the German Sixth Army and a large part of the German Fourth Panzer Army at Stalingrad. The encirclement and subsequent surrender of the German forces at Stalingrad were the first signs of a new Soviet confidence and competence in conducting successful combined arms operations. Eastern Front Historian, David Glantz states that the encirclement of Stalingrad, "wrested the strategic initiative from the German hands." However, the Soviets in the summer of 1943 went on the strategic defensive in anticipation of a German attack. The earlier Soviet victories had created a bulge in the front lines near the city of Kursk. Called the Kursk Salient, this large concentration of Soviet forces became the target of Hitler's 1943 summer offensive.
The resulting battle at Kursk in July 1943 was a massive defeat for the German army, which lost a substantial portion of its remaining armoured reserves. This was precisely what Soviet leaders were trying to achieve. The Soviets had also planned in the summer of 1943 to accomplish much more than just win a defensive victory. Soviet planners prepared massive offensive counterattacks to be unleashed once the Germans had been defeated at Kursk. These offensives were a resounding success. The tide had indeed turned in the East. The Correlation of forces, according to Glantz, "had shifted decisively in favor of the Soviets. From August 1943 on, the Soviets maintained firm control of the strategic initiative."
Beginning in January of 1944, the Soviets conducted the first in a series of successful offensives that would drive the German Army further back to the Vistula River. To accomplish this enormous feat, the Soviets made extensive preparations and concentrated enormous quantities of men for their offensives. Massive use by the Soviets of combined arms including artillery, infantry, armour and close air support ensured a rapid penetration of the German defensive line. This penetration was quickly exploited by Soviet tank armies, which rapidly moved through German rear areas creating fear and confusion. The soviet tank armies were able to advance into the operational depths of 150km or as far as the strategic depths of up to 400km. In general, the Soviets were able to overcome the first line of German defenses on the first day of their offensive and the second line of defense by the second or third day. Duffy states that Zhukov, during these offensives, "held back until the infantry, the engineers and the close-support tanks and assault guns had chewed a way clear through the tactical zone of defense to the open country, and he did not commit his tank armies until the second and third days of the offensive." This strategy of penetrating the enemy defenses, exploiting the penetration and then quickly surrounding enemy forces proved extremely successful. A summery of the 1944 offensives by Glantz describes them as having, "considerable maneuver, and demonstrated Soviet mastery of the problem of coordinating the use of all types of combat arms." The success of the 1944 offensives would lay the foundation for the future planning of the 1945 offensives and ultimately for the final battle of Berlin.
The 5th Shock Army has been assigned an especially important mission, that of holding the bridgehead on the west bank of the Oder and expanding it at least up to 20 km in frontage and 10 to 20 km in depth.
I ask that you all understand your historic role in carrying out your mission and, after explaining this to your men, to demand that they display the utmost fortitude and courage.
3. to move to night combat operations, launching each attack with a limited objective; to repulse enemy attacks during the day. In another two or three days the enemy will be wiped out.
I wish you and your troops historic success which you not only can, but must ensure."
The next three months were a flurry of activity for both sides. The German forces hastily organized a new defensive front and launched costly counter attacks to drive the Soviets back across the Oder. The Soviets tenaciously defended their bridgeheads while simultaneously building up enormous quantities of men and materiel for the final offensive.
Key to the Soviet build up was the difficult task of expanding of the bridgeheads. Hitler ordered the 9th Army commanded by General Busse to destroy the Soviet bridgeheads. Throughout the month of February and into March, the 9th Army conducted several unsuccessful counter attacks against the Soviet positions along the Oder River. These futile attacks cost the 9th Army as many as 35,000 casualties; casualties which could not be replaced by the German High Command. Unable to throw the Soviets back across the Oder, General Busse's attention turned to holding the German position blocking the main avenue of approach to Berlin. Located between the Reitwein and Kienitz bridgeheads was the ancient, fortress city of Kustrin. It was a formidable obstacle centered on the main road to Berlin, Reichsstrasse 1. Holding this fortress severely restricted Marshal Zhukov's ability to advance on Berlin.
The bitter contest over Kustrin was a costly one for both sides but the Soviets eventually surrounded the fortress and slowly began to squeeze the pocket closed. The German defenders were finally forced to surrender the fortress on March 30th. The defense may have cost the Germans and the Soviets as many 20,000 casualties each. The loss was more significant for the German defenders. The Soviets were now able to consolidate and expand their bridgehead to a size of 50 km wide and 7-10 km deep. On the eastern bank of the Oder River, the main road to Berlin, Reichsstrasse 1 was secured. The geographic stage was now set for the final offensive. On 27 March, Stalin ordered his Front Commanders to Moscow to finalize plans for the attack on Berlin.
Marshal Zhukov arrived in Moscow on 29 March followed by the commander of the First Ukrainian Front, Marshal Koniev two days later. They both met with Stalin to present their plans for the final offensive. The two marshals were fierce rivals. Each wanted to be the one to capture the German capital city. Marshal Zhukov had clearly earned the right but Stalin decided to use the rivalry as a motivation between his two commanders. Stalin's orders to Zhukov gave him the primary mission of taking Berlin and pushing on to meet the allied armies on the Elbe River. The operation was to begin no later than 16 April and Berlin was to be surrounded by the 21st. However, Stalin opened the door of opportunity to Marshal Koniev by saying, "In the event of stiff enemy resistance on the eastern approaches to Berlin and a possible hold-up of the offensive of the First Byelorussian Front, the First Ukrainian Front is to be in readiness to strike at Berlin with its tank armies from the south." The final offensive would be a race between Zhukov and Koniev to see who would be the first into Berlin. This race would significantly impact Zhukov's operations against the Seelow Heights.
Zhukov had two weeks to make his final preparations for the great offensive to take Berlin. The logistics requirements in preparation for the attack were immense. "On the whole the work done to prepare the Berlin Operation had no parallel in scale or intensity. Concentrated on a fairly narrow sector of the front and within short time-limits were 68 infantry divisions, 3,155 tanks and self propelled guns and about 42,000 artillery and mortar pieces." Of these, 41 infantry divisions, 2,655 tanks and SPGs, 8,983 guns and 1,401 rocket launchers were located in the bridgehead. This concentration of force was unprecedented compared with other well-known operations. Hitler had deployed 3,332 tanks to invade the Soviet Union along a total frontage of 930 miles. For the attack against the Kursk Salient, "Operation Citadel", he would deploy 2,700 tanks and assault guns along a front sixty miles wide. In Normandy during the West's great invasion of Europe, by D-Day +3, Allied forces ashore were scheduled to number only 13 divisions.
Soviet supply and transportation services hastily brought forward thousands of replacements and tons of supplies of every variety. Millions of gallons of fuel, for the thousands of tanks and tens of thousands of trucks, were required along with tons of food, ammunition, bridging materiel, medical supplies, and other equipment. Zhukov reported, "In terms of artillery ammunition alone 7,147,000 shells were required by the start of the operation."
Twenty-three bridges were constructed to support the Oder River crossings. An additional forty ferries supplemented these bridges. Zhukov had 194 engineer battalions and 14 military construction units supporting the bridging operations. These engineer units performed brilliantly, building and rebuilding the bridges after many were destroyed by German air and artillery attacks.
The extensive preparations and build-up of the Soviet air forces matched the enormous concentration and build-up of Soviet ground forces. Zhukov's 1st Byelorussian Front was supported by a total of 4,188 combat aircraft. Immense amounts of fuel and ammunition were required to support these aircraft. In addition, Soviet engineers had to build or repair enough airfields to accommodate them. In all, some 290 airfields were constructed to accommodate Zhukov's massive air forces.
Zhukov's attack plan was simple. Using the proven tactics of the previous 1944 and January 1945 offensives, he would utilize his overwhelming concentration of force to breach the German defensive lines on the first day of battle and then exploit the breakthrough using his reserve tank armies, which would race ahead to encircle the city of Berlin. In his own words, "We decided to hurl ourselves upon the defending enemy forces with such strength as to stun and shake them to the very foundations right from the start, using for that purpose a mass of aircraft, tanks, artillery, and material supplies."
The offensive would begin during the early morning hours of darkness and be led by a short, intensive artillery barrage utilizing the over 40,000 available guns. The number of guns squeezed into the narrow front meant that there were 270 guns of 76-mm and higher per kilometer of front. Soviet armies contained more artillery than any other army in the world. They deployed artillery regiments and independent artillery divisions. According to Soviet Marshal Koniev, "We saw well-organized artillery as the embodiment of our army's power. We held that whatever we would do with gunpowder rather than the bayonet would be to our great advantage and would safeguard our troops against superfluous losses. Hence we should spare neither time nor effort in preparing the artillery attack."
To overcome the darkness, Zhukov introduced an unconventional plan to utilize 123 searchlights. Immediately following the artillery strike, these lights were to switch on in order to have the dual effect of providing the Soviet infantry and tanks with artificial light and to create fear among the German defenders.
The lead element in the attack was the Soviet 8th Guards Army commanded by General Chuikov. His army was to breach the first German defensive belt utilizing his tanks and infantry, supported by close support aircraft, and then push forward and take the Seelow Heights by the end of the first day. It was planned that once the 8th Guards Army breached the Seelow Heights Zhukov would release his reserve tank armies to exploit the breach and move on towards Berlin.
The remnants of the German Army facing Zhukov, commanded by Colonel General Heinrici, were determined to prevent a Soviet breakthrough not with the expectation of defeating the Soviets but in the hope of delaying them long enough for the Western Allies to capture Berlin. They constructed defensive positions in depth for 40 km separated into three defensive belts. The first defensive belt was located in the Oderbruch and provided very limited advantages with regard to terrain. The second defensive belt consisted of three defensive trench lines. The first of these ran along the front edge of the Seelow Heights. Subsequent trench systems were located in positions on the reverse slopes of the Seelow Heights. Located in this second defensive belt were five flak regiments deploying the formidable German 88mm Flak Gun in an anti-tank role. The 88mm gun was used throughout the war and up to the summer of 1942 it was the most effective weapon available to stop the Soviet T-34 and KV tanks. It could kill a T-34 out to 4,000 yards. With a high rate of fire and optics designed to track aircraft, it crushed slow moving tanks with ruthless efficiency.
All the German infantry divisions lacked superior combat effectiveness. They were all either under strength or had not received proper combat training. Many of the units manning the front lines were Volksturm units, consisting of old men, many of whom were veterans of the First World War. Others were untrained sailors or Luftwaffe personnel hastily thrown into the line by the senior leadership of the Reich to impress upon Hitler their loyalty and fanaticism. There was also an extreme shortage of small arms and artillery ammunition. Many soldiers arrived and were sent to the front armed with a variety of old captured rifles or only with a Panzerfaust.
The Panzerfaust was anti-tank weapon carried by a single infantryman. Used since late 1943, it proved to be a highly effective tank killer capable of destroying any Soviet tank. However, in order destroy a Soviet tank the individual infantryman only had one projectile and was required to fire the hand-held weapon at almost point blank ranges not to exceed 100 meters. The Panzerfaust, when fired, generated a large flash of sparks and a plume of smoke, which immediately gave away the tank hunters' position. Regardless of the dangers, infantrymen armed with this formidable weapon proved highly efficient at destroying Soviet armour, creating fear among all those in the Soviet tank corps.
The real strength of the German defense was the terrain. Once the Soviets began to move forward of their positions in the bridgehead, they would have to cross the flat and open landscape of the Oderbruch. This terrain contains several small canals acting as natural tank ditches. In addition, the Germans drained a natural lake allowing the water to flood the low areas turning much of the ground into a marsh incapable of supporting tanks and forcing all vehicles to remain on the few available roads. While moving through this part of the battlefield, soviet tanks and infantry were under constant observation from German artillery spotters positioned on the high ground. The German 88mm anti-tank guns could engage Soviet tanks in the open, over extended ranges, and all the approaches were heavily mined. The forces that made it through the killing fields of the Oderbruch would then have to assault the Seelow Heights themselves.
The Seelow Heights slope up to 30 meters above the valley bed and contain inclines too steep for Soviet tanks to climb. Hidden within the trees and twists of the terrain were German anti-tank guns, machinegun nests, and Panzerfaust teams. Beyond the heights the last remaining German armoured reserves waited. These tanks were positioned to conduct counter attacks against any Soviet breakthrough in order to reestablish the German line of defense. The Seelow Heights represented the last strong defensible position between the Soviets and Berlin. According to General Busse, "the retention or loss of the Seelow Heights, dependent upon the situation and strengths, would decide the result of the coming battle."
To observe and control the battle, General Chuikov had an elaborate bunker system built on top of the only high ground occupied by the Soviets West of the Oder, the Reitwein Spur. From this position Chuikov was able to observe all the approaches his forces were to use for their attack. This position was so favorable that the Front Commander, Marshal Zhukov co-located his headquarters on top of the Reitwein Spur. This move irritated General Chuikov who wrote, "Unexpectedly the observation post of the front commander (Zhukov) was also transferred here. Frankly speaking many officers, including myself, did not particularly welcome the presence of superior officers at their command and observation posts; it was easier to control the course of an action without them."
By the night of 15-16 April, all the preparations had been made, orders had been given, and the time for the attack had come. Zhukov arrived in his bunker along with Chuikov shortly before the three o'clock start time. They each had a cup of tea served by a young female soldier who according to Zhukov had a very non-Russian name. In the bridgehead Soviet soldiers stood ready. The fear and excitement of moment was overwhelming but they were ready. The Berlin Operation, as described by Zhukov, "was to be the crowning point of the triumphant road traveled by the heroic Soviet troops who had battled their way over thousands of kilometers, grown wise with the experience of major battles and become steeled in ferocious fighting. They were aflame with the desire to deal the enemy the final blow and to end the war as swiftly as possible."
At three o'clock on the morning of 16 April 1945, the largest artillery barrage in the history of warfare was unleashed on Zhukov's order. From his position on the Reitwein Spur, Zhukov watched as the firepower of 40,000 guns (including mortars and rockets) began their orchestra of death. Zhukov remembers the opening barrage, "In that same instant the entire area was brilliantly lit up by the fire of many thousands of guns, mortars and our legendary Katyushas followed by the deafening thunder of the explosions of shells, mines, and aerial bombs." Chuikov describes his witness to the awesome firepower of the Soviet Army, '. . . in an instant it became light as day. In the flashes of artillery fire we saw the unfurled Guards colors moving forward along the trenches to the assault positions. A volcanic rumble resounded as 40,000 guns began to fire. The Oder valley seemed to rock. Fountains of dust and smoke shot up into the air."
From atop the Seelow Heights, a German officer, Lt. Tams observed the artillery barrage. He provides a first hand account of this event seen from those who were the object of this destruction. "It seemed as if the dawn was suddenly upon us, then vanished again. The whole Oder valley bed shook. In the bridgehead it was as light as day. The hurricane of fire reached out to the Seelow Heights. It seemed as if the earth was reaching up into the sky like a dense wall. We were soon covered in sand, dirt, and glass splinters. None of us had experienced anything like it before, and would not have believed it possible. There was no escape. The greatest concentration of artillery fire in history was directed immediately in front of us. We had the impression that every square yard of earth would be ploughed up." Another German soldier, Friedhelm Schoneck provides a vivid recollection of this terrifying event, "It is 3 o'clock but still night. The night has gone mad. An ear-deafening din fills the air. In contrast to what we have experienced previously, this is no bombardment but a hurricane tearing apart everything in front of us, over us and behind us. The sky is glowing red as if it will crack open at any moment. The ground rocks, heaves and sways like a ship in a Force 10 gale. We crouch down in our defensive positions, our hands grasping our weapons in deadly fear, and our bodies shrunken into tiny crouching heaps at the bottom of the trench. The bursting and howling of the shells, the whistling and hissing of shrapnel fills the air or what remains of it for us to breathe. Screams and orders are choked by steel, earth, and the acrid smoke of the volcano that has suddenly opened up on top of us with incredible force. Our trench system has disappeared, collapsed or been flattened by thousands of shells and bombs. The dugout we are sitting in has become even narrower, the walls driven inward, packing us together like sardines in a tin can. We tremble and pray, the beads of rosaries slipping through soldiers' dirty hands. We have lost all shame. Dear God, hear us calling to you from this hell!"
During this first bombardment, the Soviets fired the majority of the 1,236,000 artillery rounds fired on the first day of attack. Zhukov describes this number as being 2,450 railway carloads of shells. Very often, the First World War is considered to have been the zenith for artillery. The massive use of artillery by the Soviets in their final offensives proves otherwise when compared with the enormous bombardment described during the British Somme Offensive of 1916. The British utilized only 1,437 guns along an 18-mile front; the bombardment taking seven days to fire 1,500,000 shells.
At 0320 hours, the searchlights were turned on and the combined infantry and tank assault of the 8th Army began. Unfortunately for the Soviets the searchlights had never been used in combat. The massive artillery barrage produced a cloud of smoke and dust so thick that the beams of light could not penetrate it. Visibility was reduced to zero. Front line commanders requested that the lights be turned off. Zhukov, seeing the lights turned off immediately ordered them turned back on. Confusion reigned as the fog of war overcame the troops moving through a fog of dust and debris. Many units elected to wait until daylight before proceeding forward. The Soviets had lost all the advantages of attacking in the darkness.
The Soviet ground attack was moving slowly but the full might of their Air Force was not. The 18th Air Army joined the attack utilizing 743 heavy bombers to drop 884 tons of bombs on German strong points. At daybreak over 1600 ground attack Sturmoviks and bombers of the 16th Air Army screamed in low over their heads to attack positions on the Heights. The main task of the air forces was to provide close air support to the main strike force during the breakthrough battle. There were 6,500 sorties flown on the 16th alone.
The combined artillery and air attacks of the morning of the 16th had completely devastated the first German defensive belt. Only a few strong points located in the small towns were able to resist the Soviet masses. What Zhukov and Chuikov didn't know was that the German commander Heinrici, a seasoned veteran of the Eastern Front, had anticipated the attack and had moved the majority of his forces off the front lines and back to the second defensive belt. The vast majority of Zhukov's initial strike had fallen on empty positions. Few of those who remained in the front line positions survived to describe the attack. For those positioned on top of the Seelow heights, the site of the Soviet Army moving forward that morning was chilling. Lt. Tams writes, "Cautiously we risked a peep over the Heights down into the Oderbruch, and what we saw made the blood run cold. As far as we could see in the grey light of dawn came a single wave of heavy tanks. The air was filled with the noise of tank engines and the rattling of tank tracks. As the first row came closer we saw behind them another, and then hordes of running infantry." East Front veteran Heinz Landau remembered, "I was watching the Ivans approaching from the top of our position, (the Seelow Heights) and it sent shivers down my spine. Tanks of assorted sizes but mostly T-34s in vast numbers, probably outnumbering our guns, How does one describe the sight of the Russian army on the move? I for one do not know. Even an army of ants is an understatement."
The Soviet assault appeared invincible but their movement through the Oderbruch was not easy. Small streams and canals crossing attack routes stopped the Soviet tanks and Self-propelled guns while forcing them to wait for engineer support. The infantry, proceeding through these obstacles became separated from the supporting armor and began to take heavy casualties from German artillery and machine gun fire. Chuikov reported, "The troops were unable to move until the engineers had set up crossings. Any kind of maneuver by motor vehicles or tanks was impossible for the roads were jammed, and to try and move across country, in this marshy valley with its well-mined fields, would have been impossible." Casualties mounted as the German Flak 88's decimated Soviet tanks in the open. German artillery was able to provide devastating fire support. Again, the Soviet Airforce began pounding German rear areas in an attempt to cover the attacking ground forces. They were able to silence a large number of German artillery batteries. It was noon before Chuikov's tanks made it to the foot of the Seelow Heights. However, the terrain made it impossible for the tanks to move up to the Heights. Chuikov was bogged down and needed to move his artillery forward, in order to provide better support the attacking tanks and infantry during an attempt to take the Heights.
The original Soviet plan of attack was in chaos. It was about to get worse. While Chuikov ordered his artillery to move forward, Zhukov was becoming displeased with the progress of his troops. Fearing that Marshal Koniev, whose attack in the South was proceeding favorably, would beat him to Berlin, Zhukov without confronting his commanders ordered his two tank armies to move forward at 1430 hours to break the Seelow Heights. He was certain the weight of forces alone would be enough to achieve a breakthrough. Zhukov's interference during a critical period of the battle proved disastrous. Further congestion on the roads made movement almost impossible and severely hindered Chuikov's artillery from moving forward to re-deploy. Added confusion ensued along with an ever-increasing loss of command and control as these new tank armies became intermixed with those forces already engaged. Zhukov's order to send in his tank armies failed to achieve the decisive breakthrough he had hoped for. By the end of the day the Seelow Heights were still occupied by the stubborn German defenders. General Busse reported that April 16th, "was a great defensive success in view of the unequal strength."
That evening, Stalin called Zhukov for an update. He was unhappy with Zhukov's progress and warned that Koniev was making good progress in the South and that perhaps Koniev's tank armies should be sent towards Berlin. Zhukov assured Stalin that the Heights would be taken the following day.
By morning the large quantities of Soviet artillery had had time to deploy forward within range of the Seelow Heights. The next morning began with another devastating barrage of artillery fire and close air strikes. Lt. Tams remembers, "Dawn brought yet another blast of artillery fire, which was supplemented and supported by wave after wave of bombing attacks by heavy aircraft. It was horrific." The German defenders stubbornly held onto their positions as Zhukov's tank armies made another advance against the Seelow Heights. Once again, the 88mm Flak Guns and the tank hunting infantry armed with deadly panzerfausts destroyed many Soviet tanks. However, the Soviets began to make some progress. German casualties were mounting and no replacements were coming. Soviet tanks made small breakthroughs but were thrown back by the few German Panzer reserves. By the end of the day, the German defense was precarious but Soviet casualties had once again been tremendous caused in a large part by Zhukov's tactics of attacking in mass. Zhukov was losing the race for Berlin.
General Heinrici and General Busse were well aware that they could not continue to hold the positions along the heights for another day without immediate reinforcements. Elements of the two SS Panzer Divisions, Nederland and Nordland , were eventually released but they were unable to arrive in time. Hans Hansen was positioned behind the Heights near the city of Seelow and remembers the events of the morning of 18 April in his sector, "We were thrown into a sector of the front line a bit further to the north, between Seelow and Muncheberg. One could hardly talk of a front line, for, apart from two heavy flak batteries from our battalion and several infantry stragglers, there was nothing else available. No sooner had we arrived than the Russians attacked head-on with a large armored force. It looked dangerous, as the fire-spitting monsters rolled slowly toward us, the 88mm flak was superior, and the Soviets changed their direction of attack further to our left, where they found no resistance worthy of the name, and rolled past us. There was no doubt where they were going: to Berlin!" Soviet tanks were able to breach the German positions in numerous places and threatened to flank others. Still, the remnants of the German Army continued to fight through the day and hold were they could as other units ambushed Soviet tanks. The Soviets may have cracked the dike but the cost was high.
The following morning, the final defenses were torn apart by the powerful Soviet forces. The survivors began a general retreat. Lt. Tams was one of those survivors and remembers, "the depression that came over us as we moved back defeated and exhausted through the countryside. The overwhelming might thrown against us had broken our backbone. Our regiment had ceased to exist as a regiment. It was the first time that I had experienced such a loss of self-confidence among our troops, as we recognized our powerlessness against this steamroller from the east. I was reminded of a line from our regimental song: 'A Hanseatic regiment knows only victory-or death!'" The decisive battle for the Seelow Heights was over. Over 12,000 German soldiers had been killed and the last reserves had been used up. Germany would continue to conduct a fighting retreat back into the city of Berlin and those who survived would fight in the streets of the once great German capital city until the end.
Zhukov would win the race to Berlin, despite entering the city after Marshal Koniev's tanks. With two army fronts converging in the streets of Berlin, Stalin ordered Koniev back giving Zhukov the prize. The price in blood paid by the Soviet people to win Zhukov his place in history was enormous. During the breakout from the Oder, the Soviets had lost a reported 33,000 dead along with 743 tanks and self-propelled guns. Although we shall never know the final answer, it can be estimated that the total casualties sustained in killed and wounded may have exceeded 150,000 soldiers over four days in Zhukov's 1st Byelorussian Front alone.
For most of the Soviet and German leadership, the success of the operation, given the overwhelming Soviet superiority in manpower, armor, and air power seemed a certainty. Clearly, Zhukov expected much greater success. The unexpected high casualties may have come as a result of Zhukov's pride and determination to beat Koniev into Berlin or perhaps it was the lack of surprise and the overall ineffectiveness of the opening attacks. Chuikov wrote, ". . . we also underrated the specific features of the terrain, which abounded in canals, streams, lakes and other natural obstacles. Lack of roads restricted our freedom of maneuver and made it impossible to commit large forces during the attack."
As in every battle, what Clausewitz called friction came into play making even the best plans and the most overwhelming advantages less so. What cannot be denied is the fact that the outnumbered German Army positioned along the Seelow Heights confronted the largest concentration of forces in the history of warfare in a final battle for their country. Given the advantages the terrain offered them in these positions, it took far more than just the sheer weight of the Soviet forces to overwhelm them. It required the combined arms of Soviet infantry and tank forces supported by artillery, engineers, supply troops, and the Soviet Air Force. Combined arms operations have been the standard doctrine for all modern military forces fighting in theaters of war around the world through the second half of the twentieth century. However, none of the battles fought since April 1945 equaled Zhukov's overwhelming use of force. The decisive battle for the Seelow Heights remains the zenith of combined arms warfare.
. Christopher Duffy, Red Storm on the Reich: the Soviet March on Germany, 1945, (New York: Maxwell Macmillan International, 1991) 313.
. David M. Glantz,, The Military Strategy of the Soviet Union, (London: Frank Cass and Company, 1992), 132.
. Tony Le Tissier, Zhukov at the Oder, (Connecticut: Praeger Publishers, 1996), 41.
. G. K. Zhukov, The Memoirs of Marshal Zhukov, (New York: Delacorte Press, 1971) 590.
. Mark Healy, Kursk 1943: The Tide Turns in the East, (Great Britain: Osprey Publishing, 1993), 19.
. Tissier, Zhukov on the Oder, 145.
. Adolph Hitler, "Chancellor Hitler's Order for a Last Stand in the East," (Article on-line) New York Times, 16 April 1945, accessed 19 August 2002, http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/policy/1945/450416b.html, Internet.
. Tissier, Zhukov at the Oder, 158.
. Tissier, With Their Backs to Berlin, 101.
. Tissier, Zhukov at the Oder, 159.
. Antony Beevor, The Fall of Berlin 1945, (New York: Viking Penguin, 2002), 221.
. Tissier, With Our Backs to Berlin, 101.
. Russ Schneider, Gotterdammerung 1945: Germany's Last Stand in the East, (Philomont: Eastern Front/Warfield Books Inc., 1998), 462.
. Tissier, Zhukov at the Oder, 178.
. Tissier, Zhukov at the Oder, 187.
. Tissier, With Our Backs to Berlin, 103.
. Tissier, Zhukov at the Oder, 219.
. Tissier, With Our Backs to Berlin, 106.
Beevor, Antony. The Fall of Berlin 1945. New York: Viking Penguin, 2002.
Chuikov, Vasili I.. The Fall of Berlin. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1968.
Duffy, Christopher. Red Storm on the Reich: the Soviet March on Germany, 1945. New York: Maxwell Macmillan International, 1991.
Glantz, David M.. Soviet Military Operational Art: In Pursuit of Deep Battle. London: Frank Cass and Company, 1991.
Glantz, David M.. The Military Strategy of the Soviet Union. London: Frank Cass and Company, 1992.
Grandsen, James and Steven J. Zaloga. Soviet Tanks and Combat Vehicles of World War Two. London: Arms and Armour Press, 1984.
Hitler, Adolph. "Chancellor Hitler's Order for a Last Stand in the East." (Article on-line) New York Times, 16 April 1945, accessed 19 August 2002, http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/policy/1945/450416b.html, Internet.
Ryan, Cornelius. The Last Battle. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1966.
Schneider, Russ. Gotterdammerung 1945: Germany's Last Stand in the East. Philomont: Eastern Front/Warfield Books Inc., 1998.
Tissier, Tony Le. With Our Backs to Berlin. England: Sutton Publishing Limited, 2001.
Tissier, Tony Le. Zhukov at the Oder. Connecticut: Praeger Publishers, 1996.
Zhukov, G. K. The Memoirs of Marshal Zhukov. New York: Delacorte Press, 1971.


One part of your home that you would likely replace after a few years is the roof. Since it takes the most beating from the environment, rain and shine, it will eventually be damaged beyond repair. When this happens, you have the option to replace it with the same material or consider using another roofing material.
There are plenty of roof materials to choose from. You can base your choice depending on design alone or also consider other factors. To help you decide, here is a simple guide for you to use. Remember, the new roof you install will be there for several years so you better like it and you must be content with what you choose.
If you are located in a region with long rainy seasons, you may consider concrete roofing tiles. They are made of sand, cement, and pigment, and are very heavy. You have to make sure that your roof foundation can withstand its weight. Usually placed overlapping each other from bottom to top, concrete roofs are known to be very durable to last even with frequent heavy rains. They are also fire-resistant.
On the other hand, if you live in a tropical region, you would want a roof that can insulate your home from the sun's heat so that you can save on energy used in cooling your house. Slate tiles are very ideal for such homes because of its reflective properties and insulating abilities. They are made of rock so they usually come in their natural color, which just becomes more beautiful with time. They are also heavy and expensive that is why they are only normally found in upscale houses. Still, you can save back your initial expenses on it since it requires very minimal maintenance, it is very durable, and it cools your home so that would mean reduced use of your fan or air conditioner. You also will not have to worry about termites, rats, or other infestation to cause damage to your roofing and siding.
You would not want your roof to collapse on you due to the heavy weight of snow that has built up on it. Metal roofing materials have a smooth surface allowing snow to slide off it. They are also made up of very strong material that can carry the extra load. Place enough insulation on the interior portion of your roof to add some warmth to your home.
If your pocket is not prepared for the sudden roof repair, then you can choose asphalt composition shingles. This roofing material is very affordable and it also carries with it other advantages. It is fire-resistant, very durable, and it comes in various designs to mimic slate or wood.
Even if wood can catch fire, become infested, and require a lot of maintenance, some home owners still cannot resist choosing it because of its remarkable finish. Usually made from cedar or pine, wood shakes roofing come in many colors that it is impossible for two houses to have identical wood roofs. They can also be cut into varied width, thickness, and shapes. It even becomes more beautiful through time. The good news is new technology has introduced new treatments to lengthen its life and make it resist infestation and fire.


text:
2. Down on the floor
3. Mistake
4. Nicht allein
5. Africa
6. Weiter
7. Wake up
8. Like a lovesong
9. Onbesli
10. My MySpace
Another album filled with groovy elftunes. Again we can enjoy Happy Elf's analogue synthesizers, drumcomputer, guitars, bassguitars, vocals and samples.
O.K. sometimes you believe this album was made in the eighties of last century, but what the heck…. those were (unlike the present) the days of musical voyages of discovery.
There's even a song on this album dedicated to MySpace, where Happy Elf found many friends. The song is called My MySpace.
Each track on this album has its own distinctive sound: always happy groovin' sometimes mysterious. Have fun listening to the songs and LET'S DANCE TO THE MUSIC TOGETHER!
download cover art (front)
download cover art (back)
related release: WM009
Together by Happy Elf is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Netherlands License.


Bake My Day!: Hosting Daring Baker's Challenge: Tuiles!
Hosting Daring Baker's Challenge: Tuiles!
This is my test batch of the first recipe, used them as a decoration for our Christmas dessert. It's a chocolate-vanilla cake filled with white chocolate pear mousse.
Do you ever have voices in your head? Care to listen to mine? I was to host January's Daring Bakers Challenge assisted by sweet Zorra (aka Kochtopf) as co-host. This is an abbreviated version of what was going on in my head mid December.
You're doing what? No way, this is too easy!
People will have all the ingredients in their cupboard!
- but that's a good thing isn't it? Oh you don't think so. Credit crunch?
Listen to me now: it's a Daring Baker's Challenge. This is going to take them what? 1 hour?
- yes. yes. I know. It's January, they'll be glad after cooking month December.
Harumph! and what exactly are they supposed to do with it?
Oh crafty huh? Ánd creative. With what exactly?
- the technique isn't as simple as you might think and I'll ask for creativity in the pairing.
Miss Smarty pants..You've covered it all. So one last question: you're a bread person. Zorra is a bread person. Where's the bread?
Eeeh.. not here. not this time. And yes we cried, a little. We wanted to..decided not to. Please, voice in my head, would you please shut up and let me finish my challenge post? Thank you.
- pair it with something light; fruit, sorbet, a mousse, or maybe even a fruit soup, think glazes or dips…..
Bend it, shape it, anyway you want it!
These are my Sesame Vanilla oysters: using toasted white sesame seeds instead of almonds paired with home-made vanilla ice cream. I came back in the kitchen after making these pics (happily munching) to find my carefully scooped melon and kiwiballs.... forgot to plate them!
Or, cut out and using your fingers or a knife, push in to folds or pleats… use as a basket, twirl round a knitting needle..
Temper the couverture, and stir in the toasted almonds. Place the template on a sheet of rodoïde (or use a clean sheet of sturdy plastic such as a folder) and fill with about 1 tbs of the mixture. Repeat the process a little distance away from the first one. As soon as you have 5 tuiles fit, slide them onto a mold or rolling pin (side of a glass) to curve. Let cool completely, lift tuiles off the plastic only after the chocolate has set and just before serving, so that they keep their shine.
There should not be any holes in the batter. Lift the stencil and repeat the process to make as many rounds as you have molds or to fill the Silpat, leaving about 1 1/2 inches between the cornets. Sprinkle each cornet with a pinch of black sesame seeds. Place the Silpat on a heavy baking sheet and bake for 4 to 6 minutes, or until the batter is set and you see it rippling from the heat. The cornets may have browned in some areas, but they will not be evenly browned at this point.
Fold the bottom of the cornet and around the mold; it should remainon the sheet pan as you roll. Leave the cornet wrapped around the mold and continue to roll the cornets around molds; as you proceed, arrange the rolled cornets, seams side down, on the sheet pan so they lean against each other, to prevent from rolling.
** I've used 1 teaspoon fine table salt in my test-batch, and depending on what you plan to fill them with I would use less; start with ½ teaspoon. In the Netherlands I've never seen kosher salt but I understand it's a coarser grind hence the substitute difference.
*** My oven door opens...as a door! So I placed the baking sheet on a counter that sits above the radiator (central heating thing) and that worked fine. You really need that extra heat because these babies need it to get a good shape. You could maybe slide out yr ovenrack and work on that too.
The savoury ones are a keeper as well, they're the perfect appetizer or amuse-bouche.
I still have to make the chocolate ones, and I have another savoury one up my sleeve, posting tomorrow!
I'd like to thank my co-host Zorra (aka Kochtopf) for her participation this month and her willingness to do tuiles over bread. Thanks Zorra! You can find her post over at 1x umrühren bitte.
I've seen wonderful creations over at our Daring Baker Forum, truly a creative, imaginative bunch of bakers. Thanks for baking with us!
Thanks for the great challenge! Mine didn't turn out as beautiful and tasty looking as yours but I had a great time!
YES!! Heb ik eindelijk hét recept voor de authentieke 'Vegter's Rolletjes'. En zomaar in mijn schoot geworpen gekregen door eenvoudige deelname aan de Daring Bakers Challenge van januari. Géén botercrème. Géén ingewikkelde taartenbakkerij (helaas ook géén interessante nieuwe broodtechniek), maar wél een fantástisch leuk nieuw koekje gemaakt. Súperuitdaging.
Thank you for sharing your talent and sharing your recipes.
You see! This is why you're ALWAYS supposed to listen to the voices in your head.
Thank you so much for hosting, Karen and for giving us such an interesting challenge. Beautifully done!
The cake wrapped in a tuile at the top of the post is absolutely stunning! And white chocolate pear mousse - I need me some of that ... Thanks to you and Zorra for hsting this challenge - I was too scared to try making tuiles on my own.
This was one fantastic challenge; I absolutely loved it! Even though I was hoping you'd pick bread :P All yours look delicious!
Absolutely fabulous. Gorgeous pick & I'm hooked to your post. This was one really versatile challenge; wish I could have done more. Your post is inspirational! Thank you for being a such a wonderful host with Zorra! Have a good day!
Thank you for hosting this months challenge. I love the sesame ones and the duck breast filled coronets the best. Evryhting looks wondeful.
Karen you are simply stunning and flawless! I'm really in awe!
This was/is an awesome and incredibly versatile challenge.
And yes they are not hard at all. Although so far I have nothing to show. I'll be baking tomorrow.
Thank you so much Karen for picking such a challenge for us this month!
WOW! Everything you made looks so great... I especially like the long swirls, how creative!
This was a very enjoyable challenge and not time consuming at all !
You really impressed me with this challenge. I am sorry I could not make it more beautiful. I have been to sick this month. I will try them again soon.
I love all the versions you made! The polka dotty butterflies and the twirlies are my favorites. The sesame vanilla oysters sound divine, though. Thanks for picking such a great challenge for us this month. I really enjoyed working on my technique with these--you're right, just learning how to spread the batter was a creative endeavor in itself!
Thanks for hosting! I thought these were a lot of fun, and I thought it was good to have a more laidback challenge after a busy December.
Thank you Karen, for an interesting and unusual challenge and being a great host too.
Seriously, though, it was a real learning experience.
I have to say it again, your tuiles are impressive!
Thanks for this great challenge I enjoyed myself thoroughly. I now will always have pretty little crispy additions to my desserts/starters!
I had a great time with the challenge even though I was expecting to make bread this month. :) Thanks so much Karen!
Thank you so much for the fun challenge. I was so glad that you and Zorra chose tuiles. Yours, of course look so beautiful especially those butterflies.
Your creations are fantastic and ever so beautiful! I love that cake with the pretty butterflies!
Karen, thank you SO much for the wonderful challenge! This is certainly near the top of my list of favorite Daring Bakers Challenges. I loved the creativity and how we had to learn a "skill" and not just follow instructions before throwing something in an oven!
Thank u for hosting this month's challenge and picking such an usual recipe. Love the whole thing and I must say your creations are really very pretty.
What an awesome challenge! Thanks! Love all your creations!
Thanks so much for hosting Karen! These were great to make - such a lot of fun and even better to eat!
Thanks so much for this great challenge! It was so much fun. That said, your tuiles look fantastic!
Great challenge and what a fabulous job you did!!
Thank you Karen for a wonderful challenge, I had a lot of fun (and obviously I wasn't the only one: you asked for creativity and you were granted: DBers rock!
Those are simply stunning, so beautiful! And yes,we did need something light for January, with a few less steps. Good choice!
They are beautiful and the short time for making gave us more play time. Well chosen challenge.
Thanks for hosting this month! It was something that I have always wanted to make, but probably would have never!
Thanks so much for hosting! I love the curly q ones and wow a savory tuile with duck breast? Yum yum!
Thank you for a great challenge. It was a lot of fun. I wish I could have done fifty more. They will definitely be a part of my baking repertoire.
I enjoyed this challenge so much! Thank you!
Your tuiles look divine! Thanks for the wonderful challenge! I had so much fun with this!
Great challenge that really did allow for a lot of freedom. I do hope to do it again when the weather might cooperate a bit more.
Thank you so much for hosting a great challenge! I really enjoyed it. Your Tuiles look amazing.
I love the glimpse into your thought process and yes, it was a perfect challenge! Thanks for hosting and I am drooling over all of your tuiles.
Oh, your butterfly cakes are so beautiful! What creativity you have! I also love your fresh savory tuile cone. Thank you for the recipes and for hosting such a fun challenge!!
Beautiful and so tempting, but I'm a bit daunted by the experience. Kudos to you for a job well done!
I love what you did with the tuiles.
Thanks for hosting this fun challenge! I love your butterflies!
Thank you for hosting this challenge! I've been wanting to make tuiles forever...I just needed the push!
Thanks for the great challenge! I love the idea of using nigella seeds. They have a great flavor.
LOVED this challenge! Thank you fo hosting.
Thanks for hosting the challenge! Your tuiles are beautiful.
Such a fabulous challenge and I adore your butterflies. Thanks for a great January DB!
Thank you for such a great challenge! Like you, I've always wanted to make tuiles and never quite had the nerve or made the time for it! That's why I love the daring bakers! Puts me in the position to make all these heavenly tid-bites! =) I love your presentation---makes me want to make a new batch! the duck breast and cucumber sounds divine!
Just look at all of those incredible, beautiful combinations! You are such an awesome hostess. Thank you, thank you for choosing this awesome challenge. The genius is in its simplicity and versatility. I am so impressed with everyone's challenge(s) and this really pumped the creativity in the group. You are awesome!
Thank you for hosting! I didnt do so well...but there's always a next time. :-) I want to try again...my batter came out very, very thick and I still can't figure out why.
Stopped in to say hi! These look great!
Thanks for the challenge. Love the butterflies.
wow, you put so much effort in! your tuile look amazing!
Thank you for a terrific challenge--which clearly you have mastered. I will be making tuiles again and again--and I love your duck/cucumber savory concoction. Thanks for providing a reasonably-priced challenge this month.
Thanks so much for hosting this challenge! your tuiles are breathtaking! The savory ones are making my mouth water!!
Thank you for this challenge, yes the ingredients were in the pantry, yes it took 1 hour to bake, but what a joy after Christmas time. I'm glad you didn't listen to those voices, your challenge was perfect in every way!
I love that you went all out on this challenge.
Awesome job.... everything looks tres delish!
Thank you for a great challenge! It was fun and now, I can't wait to make them again. Would love to get mine to look like that first picture of yours! Lovely!
hee hee, i love how you outsmarted that voice in your head! thanks for the challenge - i did find it challenging!
Thank you thank you for doing this for our challenge! I was desperate for something short and sweet and well-worth it! And you did an amazing job with yours! Inspiring!
I'm surprised you aren't tuiled out!! Thanks for picking this recipe.
Beautiful! Thank you so much for having such an accessible recipe that still taught me something new about baking. I have to convert everything to gluten-free and this worked beautifully for me. It was fun, on top of it. Thank youuuu!
What a beautiful job you've done of this! Just gorgeous. I will say that this recipe will get tucked away because it is versatile and easy. Not too often you can say that, right? Thanks for choosing this recipe -- I've always wondered about these cute little things!
You're very talented - your tuiles are absolutely stunning and clearly you've done this at least once before :). What a fabulous presentation.
The voice in your head was wrong...thsi was an excellent Daring Baker challenge. Some of us (well, me) didn't succeed, but I've enjoyed seeing all of the creativity of all the beautiful versions the Daring Bakers have made. Thanks!
When I first saw the recipe I thought this is too simple!!! and what can I learn from this. In fact this was the most enjoyable of all my challenges and in fact I learnt the most. For some reason I'm a tuile person I really had fun doing all the different shapes. And I learnt so much about baking "cookies" from this challenge.
Your photos and tuiles look so fab and cool. Excellent choice.
Thank you for hosting,Karen! And congrats on becoming an aunt!
Thnaks for choosing a challenge where a lot of creativity was possible.
Ik ben, net als mijn 85 voorgangers, zeer onder de indruk: petje af!
I love your blog and your baking.
I think this was an awesome choice for a challenge. So many creative variations! You really let the Daring Bakers go wild!
Ciao ! Thank you for hosting and for choosing such a nice challenge ! I'll have to try the other recipes. I love all thr ones you made !Auguri for the new baby !
Wow your tuils are so beautiful, thanks for thie challenge I learnt a lot.
Thanks a lot for this Challenge.
Love the stream-of-consciousness part of your post.
Thanks for hosting the challenge! It's something I probably wouldn't have made on my own. I have to try your sesame seed crips.
Loved the challenge, and I think most DB-ers did.
Your butterflies and cake look just perfect!
So bummed that I couldn't make it for the deadline. Still working on a post but it won't be for a while. Thanks for the great challenge!
These look almost too good to eat. Key word being ALMOST! I have loved all of the recipes I have tried from your blog and can't wait to try this one.
Wow, these recipes are awesome, the cookies look gorgeous. Thanks for sharing this lovely recipes to us. I'm going to try this during the Christmas holidays.
@Jane: they might look intimidating to make but trust me it's easier than you think! Happy Holidays!


text:
Q: What is the easiest method to share files between Windows and Ubuntu? I have a Windows 7 installed on my laptop. I installed VirtualBox 4.1.4 with Ubuntu 11.10.
Now I want to be able to copy files from Windows to Ubuntu and vice versa.
What is the easiest method to accomplish this ?

A: Sharing files from Windows with Ubuntu as a guest OS can be done via "Shared Folders" that can be mounted or auto-mounted in the guest OS.
Alternatively, we can also setup a network share via Samba.

A: You could just use Ubuntu One. There are Ubuntu (installed by default) and Windows clients available, so you can sync files between them easily with an Internet connection.
I use this to keep both my Windows 7 and Ubuntu 11.10 partitions on my laptop in sync with each other and my 11.10 desktop.

A: Do this thing
1.After installing the virtual box you can setup the shared folder which will be available for your windows 7 host as a normal folder but for ubuntu11.10 it will be mounted at /media/sf_name_of_your_shared_folder.
2.This folder will be accessible only through the root account(to open it type sudo nautilus /media/ and then open it from ubuntu.


text:
Q: How to use Apache Directory Studio with a proxy? I want to connect to an LDAP server running on a server at ldap.subnet.example.com using Apache Directory Studio.
I am running Apache Directory Studio 2.0.0.v20200411-M15 with java-14-openjdk on Manjaro Linux.
Unfortunately, the LDAP server is only reachable from within the same subnet and I am outside this subnet (my host is mypc.example.org). I however can access the host portal.subnet.example.com via SSH, which is in the same subnet as the LDAP server and can therefore bind to it.
My go-to way of solving this is creating a SOCKS proxy using the following command on mypc.example.org:
ssh -D 8080 user@portal.subnet.example.com

I then configure the software to use this SOCKS proxy. This works very well with e.g. Firefox.
However, it does not seem to work with Apache Directory Studio. I have made the following settings in  "Window" > "Preferences" > "General" > "Network Connections":

*

*Active Provider: Manual

*Proxy entries:

*

*HTTP (nothing specified here, but I can't delete it either)

*HTTPS (same as above)

*SOCKS: Host localhost, Port 8080, Provider Manual, Auth No

*Proxy bypass:

*

*localhost, Provider Manual (default settings, I did not modify this)

*127.0.0.1, Provider Manual (default settings, I did not modify this)
Still, when I try to connect to the server, "Open Connection: (14%)" appears for a while in the bottom left corner before I get an "Error while opening connection - MSG_04177_CONNECTION_TIMEOUT (5000)".
I have also tried to set the proxy in the ApacheDirectoryStudio.ini, again, without success.
-vmargs
-DsocksProxyHost=localhost
-DsocksProxyPort=8080

This issue might be related – the last comment leaves me with the impression that the Apache LDAP API simply ignores those settings because it is based on Apache MINA, which is configured differently; I however have not found out how. This Stack Overflow question matches the problem described in the issue, but sadly, the solutions are code - I need a configuration solution.

A: My way of solving this would be by using SSH tunneling.
Assuming that the standard LDAP port 389 is used:
ssh -L 389:ldap.subnet.example.com:389 user@portal.subnet.example.com

This means that, on your host mypc.example.org, all traffic coming through the local port 389 will be sent to the SSH server portal.subnet.example.com, then forwarded to the remote destination ldap.subnet.example.com at port 389 (which the SSH server has access to).
Queries will then use the local address and port: ldap://localhost:389 or ldap://mypc.example.org:389.
No proxy used, and the SSH tunnel is transparent to Apache Directory Studio.
N.B.: Here I suggest the local port 389 (such as in ssh -L 389:) for convenience but you may use any arbitrary available local port number.


Last week Google dropped a bomb on the AdWords community, when they announced that they were now going to decide, on their own, when they would spend double your daily budget for you. They say their criteria for this would be when your campaigns are performing at a level where spending more money than you had planned was good for you.
According to Google, your daily budget is not what they use as a guide, they use your monthly budget. So, in their engineering perspective, you will still never spend more than your "monthly" budget, you just might burn through it faster than planned, leaving you with no ads running at the end of the month. Google determines your monthly budget by taking your daily budget and multiplying that by 30.4, the number of days in an average month.
If your daily budget is $10 then your monthly budget would be $304.
Predictably, the AdWords community reacted poorly to this announcement. But, like all things Google, they get to make the rules and then change them as they see fit, when they see fit.
Having seen this dance more than a few times from Google, rather than protest and become outraged, we chose to watch the campaigns closely and determine what we can do to minimize the impact for our clients.
I need to note here that I am working with a small sampling of data and clients and your observations may be entirely different.
The people most likely to be unaffected are those that are not running any sort of goal tracking. This is common with branding ads where there is no real conversion goal, just a need to get the company name and brand in front of as many people as possible. Without goal tracking Google has no way to determine if the ads are working or not and can't use that data to increase your ad spend rate.
In addition to that, I have not seen any effect on Google Shopping ads yet. This may be due to budgets, or the platform, or any of a hundred other reasons, but for our clients at least, we have seen zero effect on Google Shopping ads.
The obvious way to see if you are affected is to look at your daily spending on your ads and compare that to your budget. If your budget is $10/day and Google is spending $20/day then you are heavily affected. In our case, the worst offender I have seen so far is a roughly 15% overspend on one specific campaign. For this client, if the spend rate continues, their ads will stop running with almost 5 days left in the month.
Here are several options for reducing the impact of the new rules at Google on your AdWords account.
Cut your daily budget. The obvious solution is to reduce your daily budget by the amount extra that Google decides to spend. If your daily budget is $10 and Google is spending $20, reduce your budget to $5 per day to force Google to only spend $10.If you choose this route be prepared to watch your campaigns daily to be able to adjust the budget as needed. You may find that Google doesn't increase your ad spending by the same amount every day.
Restrict the hours and days your ads will show. You can reduce the amount of your daily spend by further tightening the hours your ads run. In most cases you should already be doing this, but reducing the 'dead time' in your ads will help reduce wasted spending and leave more money for those days and hours where your ads really work the best for you.
Duplicate your campaigns. This is the most aggressive way to manage your ad spend. Duplicate your affected campaigns and schedule one to run for the first half of the month and the other to run the second half of the month. Cut your daily budget in half and let Google double it for you.This is nearly the same as option 1, but it gives you a little more room to let things run on autopilot rather than watching them daily.
In the end, we have little choice but to try to adapt to the ever-changing Google landscape. Most of their announcements seem draconian on the surface, but almost always turn into opportunities for aggressive thinkers looking for a way to outperform their competitors. This may turn into an opportunity to dramatically increase your exposure and conversions at the end of the month if all of your competitors are running out of ad money and their ads stop running.
Be prepared to take advantage of these changes where your competitors aren't.


Expect 20°C daytime maximum temperatures in the shade with on average 6 hours of sunshine per day in La Asomada in December. Check more long-term weather averages for La Asomada in December before you book your next holiday to Lanzarote in 2019/2020.
The December weather guide for La Asomada, Lanzarote shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia), the Met Office & the Netherlands Meteorological Institute. Find out more about our data sources.
The average maximum daytime temperature in La Asomada in December is a comfortable 20°C (68°F). The average night-time temperature is usually a comfortable 14°C (57°F). There are usually 6 hours of bright sunshine each day, which represents 58% of the 10 hours of daylight.
Expect 28mm (1.1 inches) of rainfall across the whole of December with 4 days with some rain falling. Maximum UV levels will be moderate (4 UV index) at midday when the skies are clear.
The average sea temperature in and around La Asomada in December is 20°C (68°F).
Browse the sunrise & sunset times for La Asomada in December 2019. Select a month to view La Asomada sunrise & sunset times for the next twelve months.
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