By 1945, the Allies had surrounded Germany.
With the D-Day Invasion successful and western Europe liberated, the capital of Germany remained as one of the last crown jewels of Germany's former empire.
The Soviets had spent the last few months advancing across the Eastern front, and by April 1945, they were ready to invade Berlin. The Germans planned a defense complete with trenches, blockades, and an army supplemented by citizens ready to make a last stand, but the Red Army was an unstoppable force. Over two weeks the city fell, and the war in Europe was won.
See the Red Army advance, the disorganized German resistance and the final fall of an evil regime.
1
Polish Army on their way to Berlin.
April, 1945
2
Volkssturm men armed with Panzerfausts.
April, 1945
3
The Brandenburg Gate amid the ruins of Berlin.
June, 1945
4
A member of the Volkssturm, the German home defence militia, armed with a Panzerschreck, outside Berlin.
April, 1945
5
The iconic "Raising a flag over the Reichstag" photo by Yevgeny Khaldei.
April, 1945
6
A devastated street in the city centre just off the Unter den Linden.
July, 1945
7
Red Army soldiers celebrating the capture of Berlin.
May, 1945
8
Polish flag raised on the top of Berlin Victory Column.
May, 1945
9
The Red Army after the victory in Berlin
1945
10
Germans digging anti-tank trenches outside Berlin.
1945
11
Berlin devastated after the battle.
1945
12
German civilians building a blockade in Berlin.
1945
13
Fire on the streets of Berlin during battle.
April, 1945
14
Volkssturm soldiers transport materials from bombed-out buildings for the construction of an anti-tank barrier.
1945
15
General Lieutenant Reymann in a machine gun position.
1945
16
Soviet soldiers run to attack on the streets of Berlin.
May, 1945
17
Belorussian and 1st Ukrainian Fronts, located along the Oder and Neisse rivers, began their offensive for Berlin.
April, 1945
18
Soviet artillerymen prepare a BM-13 Katyusha rocket launcher for a salvo during fighting in Berlin.
April, 1945
19
The Reichstag building, destroyed during the storming of the city by Soviet troops.
1945
20
Raising the Soviet flag over Berlin.
1945
