In the spring of 1945, the last major battle of the European war
was fought between the Soviet Union and Hitler’s Third Reich.
The battle of Berlin, one of the most bitterly contested offenses
of the second World War, saw a gigantic Russian army of two and a half
million men unleashed in a massive assault designed to crush
Nazi Germany, once and for all.
For the Soviet Union Berlin was the ultimate prize. The city
was the heart of the Reich. It’s capture would bring immeasurable
prestige to the conqueror.
Just as important to the Russians, if the Red Army could take Berlin
before the Western Allies much of Central as well as Eastern Europe
could be brought under communist control.
