The Danube Flotilla pushed through heavy fire and obstructions during its river assaults. The estimate given is that German forces sank a little over two hundred vessels to obstruct landings. Soviet armoured gunboats are likened to floating tanks because of the firepower they brought to these confined approaches. At Vienna, troops landed at both ends of the Imperial Bridge and secured it intact despite German preparations to demolish it.
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The river assault that preserved Vienna's Imperial Bridge
Soviet armored boats landed troops at both ends of Vienna's Imperial Bridge before German defenders could demolish it.