| Battle of Berlin | |
|---|---|
| German troops defending Berlin using MG34's. | |
|
Date |
April 16 - May 2, 1945 |
|
Location |
Berlin, Germany |
|
Result |
Soviet Victory; Surrender of Berlin to Soviet Forces |
The Battle of Berlin, designated the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation by the Soviet Union, was the final major offensive of the European Theatre of WWII. The Battle in Berlin lasted from 20 April until the morning of 2 May.
In Downfall[]
Except for the Hitler's secretarial interview scene, the ending, and the Epilogue, the whole film takes place during this battle, starting from 20 April and finishing on 2 May. In response to the siege, Operation Clausewitz is declared, turning Berlin into a front-line city. It also results in the removal of the Wehrmacht and Schutzstaffel headquarters from the city center.
Helmuth Weidling and Wilhelm Mohnke are the only generals shown to provide an active defence of the city, commanding soldiers from outposts in Berlin.
In response to the siege, Hitler devises several military plans, each more unrealistic than the last. This includes turning around Wenck and Steiner's outnumbered forces to support those in Berlin, sending Keitel to secure access to oil fields in Hungary, and "arranging" for thousands of nonexistent fighter planes for Robert Ritter von Greim to commandeer. Predictably, he was met with objections and doubts by his generals, but nobody said a word in order to save their skins. Meanwhile, Heinrich Himmler and the SS retreated to the north.
No aerial attacks are seen, but rather artillery bombardments and Soviet infantry supported by tanks. As the defeat became imminent, the Nazis began to rely more on civilian soldiers, like the Volkssturm and the Hitler Youth.
The battle finally ended when Hitler and Goebbels commited suicde and General Weidling surrendered Berlin to the Soviet troops.
In Downfall Parodies[]
In Downfall Parodies, the Battle of Berlin did not end on 2 May, it continues even today. Chuikov's forces besieging the Bunker for several years now. Fearing Hitler's Pencil of Doom, the Soviets are biding their time, having concluded that anyhow, Fegelein's antics are worse than anything they could do the German dictator.
Gallery[]
