The Battle of Berlin

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Introduction Final Offensive Russian Encirclement of Berlin Battle of Reichstag Hitler’s Suicide German Surrender Conclusion

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Introduction

Designated the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation by the Soviet Union.

Final major offensive of the European Theatre of World War II.

Begin on January 16, 1945, and ended on morning of May 2, 1945.

 One of the bloodiest battles in history.3

Strength Of The Battle

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Final Offensive from the West

The Allies advance his forces to the Rhine and provide a defensible position to counter further German counterattacks, and free troops to build up strong reserves.

Lead by General Eisenhower.

The Western Allies found a great deal of success in their engagements with the Germans.

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Cont The Western Allied contribution to the battle for

Berlin was a strategic bombing of it.

During 1945 the Western Allied launched a number of very large daytime raids on Berlin and for 36 consecutive nights, bombers raided the German capital, ending on the night, just before the Soviets entered the city.

As the battles raged, British, American, and Soviet forces neared previously negotiated stop lines along the Elbe and Mulde Rivers.

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Russian Encirclement of Berlin

The Soviet 1st Belorussian Front and 1st Ukrainian Front continued to tighten the encirclement. Elements of 1st Ukrainian Front continued to move and started to engage the German XII Army and moving towards Berlin.

The elements of 1st Belorussian Front and 1st Ukrainian Front had completed the encirclement of the city.

The Soviet attack on Berlin was consolidated by leading Soviet troops to probe and penetrate the German defensive ring.

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Russians Advance to Reichstag

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Battle For The Reichstag The Reichstag was places where the fighting was

heaviest where German soldiers fought hard, as they believed that they would not live if captured.

The Soviet 3rd Shock Army crossed the Moltke bridge and began to spread out into the surrounding area.

At dawn the Soviets pressed on with their assault in the south east. After very heavy fighting they managed to capture the Gestapo headquarters.

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Hitler Commits Suicide Just days before his death Hitler married Eva

Braun. Braun agreed to commit suicide with him.

The Soviet troops were now only 300 yards away from Hitler's underground bunker. Hitler still demanded his troops fight to the death.

On 30th April, 1945, Hitler and Eva Braun went into a private room and he poisons his dog, then Braun and ultimately takes his own life.

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Soviets Capture the Reichstag

The Soviets had gained artillery support and at they launched an attack on the Reichstag.

Soviet troops fought their way to the top of the building and hoisted the red flag on the top of the Reichstag at 22:50.

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Soviets Capture Reichstag12

German Surrender  The Russians simply destroyed a complete

building and the city could not last out for long.

Berlin formally surrenders to the Soviet legions and Western Allies.  

 General  Hasso von Manteuffelcommander of the III Panzer Army along with General  Kurt von Tippelskirch, commander of the XXI Army, surrendered to the US Army.

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Conclusion The Russian forces assembled with an

overwhelming advantage in numbers, firepower and material.

German defences pitiful resources, offered stubborn resistance in these last desperate days and both sides suffered heavy casualties.

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Q & A

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