One of the most brutal episodes of the Second World War was one of it's final acts, the battle for the capital of the doomed Third Reich Berlin. The Russians, determined to seize the capital as revenge for all the hell unleashed on the USSR, launched millions and millions of men and material against the demoralised and utterly broken German army, and also against the helpless civilians of Berlin. Over two and a half million Russian soldiers advanced on the city, which was defended by only 300,000 poorly equipped Germans. On 20th April 1945 the shelling of the city by Soviet artillery began, reducing more of the already destroyed city to rubble, and on the following days the USSR began its advance into the maze-like streets and buildings of the ruined city. Many famous landmarks, such as the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate and Olympiastadion, proved ferocious battlegrounds between the two opposing armies, and the lack of regard for life was astonishing. The war in Europe ended on the streets of Berlin, and also saw the end of Nazi Germany. The leadership either fled, to be later caught and tried at Nuremberg, or committed suicide, much like Hitler himself did in the ruins of his bunker on the 30th April 1945 along with his wife, Eva Braun; they both were cremated soon afterwards. The people were left leaderless and, despite some unbelievable fighting, surrendered on the 9th May 1945 the war in Europe was over. The losses for both sides were high. 81,000 Soviet soldiers lost their lives in the whole operation, including the battle for the Seelow Heights in the days preceding 20th April, and a further 275,000 were wounded or injured. German military losses are either very high or very low, but around 150,000 soldiers are estimated to have died defending the city. What's most sickening is the thousands, if not millions, of civilians murdered, raped or killed by either the vengeful Russians or by the Germans for disobeying orders to defend to the last: it showed the worst of humanity.
Me? I'm 17 years old, from Dawlish, Devon and studying (tirelessly) at Exeter College. I love pretty much anything, am a fan of numerous TV programmes and films, countless books and topics, from Sherlock to the Cold War, Doctor Who to Muse and my ambition is to become a journalist in any field which I have an interest in, and I hope to show my opinions (although varied) to the full.
