Berlin - The Red Army Begins Its Final Assault

Soviet forces approach the Berlin suburb of Potsdam and come closer to Berlin itself. Only 41,000 German fighters (mostly police officers and Hitler Youth) are left in the city to man the garrisons and defenses. Their efforts are bolstered by sixty tanks and 45,000 troops - but the combined forces are little match for the massive Red Army.

As Soviet infantrymen advance, they are somewhat protected by massive bombardment. As young German teenagers try to help their wounded countrymen, they learn the Red Army has surrounded Berlin.

Fierce, defensive fighting continues by remaining SS men who, with their tanks, try to defend the Reichstag. The Western Allies reach the Elbe River but are stopped there. The Red Army, alone, will force the surrender of Germany's capital.

Credits

From the Battle of Berlin, online courtesy The History Channel.