The Battle of Berlin The Battle of Berlin was fought from April 16, 1945 to May 2, 1945 between German and Soviet Forces. It proved to be the final battle of the European Theatre of World War II and resulted in the complete surrender of the German Forces along with the death of Adolph Hitler. Early in 1945 Soviet forces began to advance on the capital city of Berlin. Comprised of over 2,500,000 Soldiers, 7,500 aircraft, and 6,250 tanks, the Soviets vastly outnumbered the Germans who had approximately 1,000,000 Soldiers, 2,200 aircraft, and 1,500 tank (Fall of Berlin - WW2 Timeline, 2016). Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, separately pitted his two best generals, Marshal Georgy Zhukov and Ivan Konev against one another. Hoping to achieve a rapid victory, Stalin used both of the general’s pride and ambition to spark a fierce competition between them to be the first to capture Berlin (Battle of Berlin, 2006).
Beginning on June 6, 1945 with the invasion of Normandy, Allied Forces had destroyed German strongholds in France and Holland …show more content…
The German Army, who had been pushed back to Berlin after the Battle of the Bulge, was decimated. Falling back on Berlin, Adolph Hitler vowed to defend the city at all costs arming the old men and young boys in his Volkssturm (People's Army). With the Allies advancing within 28 kilometers of Berlin on the western front, General Dwight Eisenhower, in a surprising move, decided not to attack Berlin but rather leave the Berlin to be taken by the Soviets, who seemed determined to destroy Berlin and Nazi Germany with overwhelming force. Fierce fighting ensued on April 20th 1945. The Soviet forces overpowered an undermanned German Army. Adolph Hitler, facing certain defeat, married his longtime girlfriend Eva Braun, said farewell to his loyal SS guards and committed suicide along with Braun. On May 7th, the remaining leaders of Nazi Germany signed an unconditional surrender with the Allies ending the war in
Beginning on June 6, 1945 with the invasion of Normandy, Allied Forces had destroyed German strongholds in France and Holland …show more content…
The German Army, who had been pushed back to Berlin after the Battle of the Bulge, was decimated. Falling back on Berlin, Adolph Hitler vowed to defend the city at all costs arming the old men and young boys in his Volkssturm (People's Army). With the Allies advancing within 28 kilometers of Berlin on the western front, General Dwight Eisenhower, in a surprising move, decided not to attack Berlin but rather leave the Berlin to be taken by the Soviets, who seemed determined to destroy Berlin and Nazi Germany with overwhelming force. Fierce fighting ensued on April 20th 1945. The Soviet forces overpowered an undermanned German Army. Adolph Hitler, facing certain defeat, married his longtime girlfriend Eva Braun, said farewell to his loyal SS guards and committed suicide along with Braun. On May 7th, the remaining leaders of Nazi Germany signed an unconditional surrender with the Allies ending the war in