In late October, German forces launched a decisive operation to capture Banská Bystrica, a key city in Slovakia that had become a stronghold for the Slovak National Uprising. This uprising began in August 1944 as a revolt against the Axis powers and sought to liberate Slovakia from Nazi influence. By this time, the uprising had gained significant traction and was supported by the Allies, who hoped to weaken Axis control in Central Europe.

The fierce fighting in and around Banská Bystrica culminated in the German military's full-scale assault on the city, employing heavy artillery and infantry tactics to overpower the entrenched resistance fighters, who desperate to hold their ground. The German victory at Banská Bystrica not only marked the end of the uprising but also signaled a significant consolidation of German control over Slovakia.

With the fall of Banská Bystrica, the remnants of the Slovak National Uprising scattered and were forced into hiding or surrendered, leading to retribution against partisans in the region. After the defeat, the uprising was effectively crushed, and it would take considerable time before any significant resistance to Nazi occupation re-emerged in Slovakia.