16 abr 1945 ano - The Battle of Berlin.

Descrição:

On January 12, 1945, the Soviets launched a major offensive against German forces in eastern Prussia and Poland, known as Operation Wisla-Oder. The timing and location of the operation completely surprised the German command. The pace of Soviet advance was very rapid, and did not allow the German army to reorganize. By the end of the month, the first Belarusian front pioneer forces reached the Oder River, only 60 kilometers east of Berlin, but the Supreme Soviet decided to refrain from exploiting the success of the occupation of the Third Reich, fearing a German attack on the exposed wings of its advanced forces. Decided that his wings should be secured before the Red Army could continue its advance west, three German armies of a Central Army group held in eastern Prussia and Pomerania were cut off by the advanced Soviet forces, and were successively exterminated. Very heavy during the Soviet offensive Time, and remnants retreated to the west. Until the beginning of April completed the Red Army took control of the area east of the rivers Oder and Neisse (including Silesia, Pomerania and East Prussia), destroyed the German forces left back of the head, and managed to capture several bridgeheads across the Oder River region Kostrin.