The Fall of Berlin, which occurred from April to May 1945, marked the end of the Second World War in Europe. This event was the culmination of a series of offensives by the Soviet Union’s Red Army, which was determined to capture the German capital, Berlin. By that time, Nazi Germany had already suffered significant defeats on multiple fronts, and the morale of soldiers and civilians was at rock bottom. The Soviet offensive began on 16 April 1945 as part of an operation known as Operation Bagration. With more than 2.5 million troops, 6,000 tanks, and 7,500 artillery pieces, the Soviet armed forces launched a massive offensive. For several weeks, heavy fighting took place around Berlin, with Soviet soldiers facing hardcore defenses consisting of German soldiers and paramilitary forces. The defense of Berlin was led by General Helmuth Weidling, who coordinated the remaining remnants of the German army. On the other hand, Adolf Hitler, despite being cornered in his bunker, still held on to the hope of resisting the invasion, even ordering all fighters to defend the city with all available forces. About 40% of the troops fighting in Germany were forcibly recruited young men or exhausted veterans. Tension and chaos increased as the Soviets approached the city center. The physical destruction wrought on Berlin was severe; Historical buildings were destroyed, and many civilians were caught in the fighting. On April 20, Soviet forces managed to infiltrate the outskirts, while air strikes from alliance forces added to the damage. Devastating fighting continued until the end of April. On April 30, 1945, Hitler committed suicide in his bunker as Soviet troops cleared the way to the center of Berlin. The fall of Berlin finally reached its bottom on May 2, 1945, when Germany officially surrendered. The remaining civilians witnessed the destruction of the regime that for years controlled their lives. The fall of Berlin had a major impact on Europe. The division of Berlin into two parts—West Berlin and East Berlin—became a symbol of the Cold War. Meanwhile, the suffering experienced by the civilian population during the fighting left a deep imprint on the collective memory of the German nation. In the immediate aftermath of the fall, Germany attempted to rise from the ruins, but the legacy of this conflict continues to oversee the nation’s journey toward post-war reconciliation and healing. The importance of the Fall of Berlin lies not only in starting the end of the war in Europe, but also in changes to the global political map and new power dynamics. Historical records show that this moment opened a new chapter in international politics, bringing challenges and opportunities for generations to come.
