The German defense plan for Yugoslavia of 22nd of February 1945 had named Sarajevo as a fortified city, which could only be abandoned by direct permission from Adolf Hitler.

By 20th of March, the failure of Operation Spring Awakening (the German offensive in Hungary) and the successful offensive of the Yugoslav 4th Army in Lika (North-Western Croatia), made holding Sarajevo pointless.

Interception of Yugoslav wireless communications had revealed to the Germans that the general attack was planned for 28th of March.

In order to secure their retreat routes, the German Army carried out the Berggeist, Maigewitter and Osterglocke Operations.

During the pursuit of the enemy, Yugoslav units liberated Visoko, Kakanj and on 10th of April Busovača, which concluded the Sarajevo operation.