The capture of Tartu by Soviet forces in September 1944 marked a critical moment in the Eastern Front of World War II. Tartu, Estonia's second-largest city, held significant strategic value due to its location as a transportation hub and its educational institutions. The Soviet offensive aimed to liberate the Baltic region from German control, as the Nazis had occupied these territories following Operation Barbarossa in 1941. Tartu became a focal point of combat as Soviet troops launched an assault after capturing the nearby city of Narva. The offensive involved fierce battles characterized by intense urban fighting, where both sides employed infantry, armor, and artillery in a desperate bid for control. The Soviets utilized their numerical superiority and coordinated attacks to overcome German defenses.As the Red Army advanced, the defenders faced not just a formidable foe but also logistical challenges, including supply shortages and dwindling reinforcements. Allied with resistance movements within Estonia, the Soviet forces were able to destabilize the German hold on Tartu. The city's fall on September 6 was celebrated by locals eager to end the brutal occupation, but it also marked the beginning of further Soviet influence over Estonia, which would endure post-war through the Soviet occupation that lasted until 1991. The capture illustrated the effectiveness of Soviet strategy in gaining ground in the Baltic region during the latter stages of World War II.