Armageddon's video: The Last Counter Strike The Road To Berlin Part V

The heavy fighting on the Oder in April 1945 was the last German strategic engagement on the Eastern Front, and it literally resulted in the opening of the road to Berlin for the Red Army. In the last episode we detailed the difficulties encountered by Zhukov's 1st Belorussian Front to break through the German lines at Seelow, and his subsequent decision to commit the tank armies ahead of time, in order to "bulldoze" his way to Berlin. Although this decision was criticized by many, including Stalin, it nevertheless achieved its objective: the German defense at Seelow began to crumble away. Now let’s investigate this key event from the German perspective. We already know about Hitler’s belief that the main Soviet offensive was aimed at Prague, not at Berlin, and fort this reason he refused to provide Heinrici with the strategic reserves he asked for the Oder Front. We’ve also learned that Busse’s 9th Army could hold its positions and resist the Soviet onslaught for three days before finaly collapsing. Let’s detail these days as seen from a German point of view, with a particular focus on the panzer divisions that played a key role in this final stage of the war. Sources: S. Chtemenko, The Soviet General Staff at war, 1941-1945 C. Duffy: Red storm on the Reich, The soviet march on Germany, 1945 D. Glantz: Colossus reborn, The Red Army at war D. Glantz: Red Army Officers Speak H. Heiber and D. Glantz: Hitler and His Generals: Military Conferences 1942-1945 J. Lopez: Berlin, les offensives géantes de l'Armée Rouge (12 janvier-9 mai 1945) H. Magenheimer: Abwehrschlacht an der Weichsel 1945 A. Mednikov: The Berlin Notes C. Ryan: The Last Battle Thanks to Gerry Tanner, John Duquette, and J.P. Wright for the voice over