51413763 beevor antony berlin the downfall 1945

8/12/2019 51413763 Beevor Antony Berlin the Downfall 1945

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The Fall of Berlin 1945

Antony Beevor

author of STALINGRAD

Contents

PICTURESMAPSGLOSSARYPREFACE1 Berlin in the New Year2 The 'H!"e # Car$"' n the %i"t!la
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Glossary

All $ate" -i+en in the 9 re#er t 1), !nle"" therwi"e "tate$

B"B!n$ $e!t"4her M$el< Lea-!e # Geran Girl"< #eale e!i+alent # Hitler

Y!th

Frit#R!""ian nae #r a Geran "l$ier The 7l!ral wa" !"e$ #r Geran" in -eneral

frontovikRe$ Ar( "l$ier with #rntline eD7erien4e

Ivanr Iwan in Geran< an r$inar( S+iet "l$ier Ter !"e$ ( Re$ Ar( a" well a"Geran"

KesselGeran #r 'a 4a!l$rn' a -r!7 # #r4e" en4ir4le$ ( the ene(

Landseran r$inar( Geran "l$ier with #rntline eD7erien4e The e!i+alent # the Re$Ar(frontovik

N$%DS+iet "e4ret 7li4e !n$er 4ntrl # La+rent( Beria Militar( N6% !nit" >N6% ri#le $i+i"in" a$e !7 "tl( # N6% #rntier -!ar$" re-ient" > wereatta4he$ t ea4h S+iet Frnt 4an$ The N6% 4hie# with ea4h Frnt wa"an"werale nl( t Beria an$ Stalin< nt t the ilitar( 4hain # 4an$ in the Re$Ar(

&$'Oer9an$ $e" Heere"< in ther( the "!7ree hea$!arter" # the GeranAr(< !t in the later "ta-e" # the war it" "t i7rtant rle wa" 7eratinal 4an$

# the Ea"tern Frnt

&$(Oer9an$ $er *ehra4ht< the "!7ree hea$!arter" # all the are$ #r4e"#!l#ilent # their lea$er'" 7r7he4(

Stalin< while ha77( t a9e !"e # "(l" when it "!ite$ hi< wa" #ar re 4al4!latin-The Rei4h'" 4a7ital wa" in$ee$ the '4!linatin # all the 7eratin" # !r ar( in thi"war'< !t he ha$ ther +ital intere"t" Nt lea"t # the"e wa" the 7lan #r!late$ !n$erLa+rent( Beria< Stalin'" ini"ter # "tate "e4!rit(< t "tri7 ati4 re"ear4h e"tali"hent"in Berlin # all their e!i7ent an$ !rani! e#re the Aeri4an" an$ Briti"h arri+e$The wr9 # the Manhattan Pr3e4t 4arrie$ !t in L" Ala" wa" alrea$( well 9nwn inthe 6relin< than9" t the 7r>C!ni"t "7(< r 6la!" F!4h" S+iet "4ien4e wa" #arehin$< an$ Stalin an$ Beria were 4n+in4e$ that i# the( were t "eie the Geranlaratrie" an$ "4ienti"t" in Berlin e#re the *e"tern Allie" -t there< then the( t

4!l$ 7r$!4e an at li9e the Aeri4an"

The "4ale # the h!an tra-e$( ( the en$ # the war i" e(n$ the ia-inatin #e+er(ne wh $i$ nt li+e thr!-h it< !t e"7e4iall( # th"e wh ha+e -rwn !7 in the$eilitarie$ "4iet( # the 7"t>Cl$ *ar a-e Yet thi" ent # #ate #r illin" #7e7le "till ha" !4h t tea4h !" One i7rtant le""n i" that ne "h!l$ e eDtreel(war( # an( -eneraliatin 4n4ernin- the 4n$!4t # in$i+i$!al" EDtree" # h!an"!##erin- an$ e+en $e-ra$atin 4an rin- !t the e"t a" well a" the wr"t in h!annat!re H!an eha+i!r t a lar-e eDtent irrr" the !tter !n7re$i4tailit( # li#e r$eath Man( S+iet tr7"< e"7e4iall( in #rntline #ratin"< !nli9e th"e wh 4aeehin$< #ten eha+e$ with -reat 9in$ne"" t Geran 4i+ilian" In a wrl$ # 4r!elt( an$

hrrr where an( 4n4e7tin # h!anit( ha$ al"t een $e"tr(e$ ( i$el-(< 3!"t a#ew a4t" # #ten !neD7e4te$ 9in$ne"" an$ "el#>"a4ri#i4e li-hten what w!l$ therwi"e ean al"t !nearale "tr(

Thi" 9 4!l$ nt 7""il( ha+e een re"ear4he$ with!t the hel7 # an( 7e7le I a#ir"t # all $ee7l( li-e$ t the $ire4tr" an$ "ta## in n!er!" ar4hi+e"@ ClnelSh!+a"hin an$ the "ta## # the Central Ar4hi+e # the Mini"tr( # e#en4e T"AMO atP$l"9J r Natal(a Bri"+na %l9+a an$ her "ta## at the R!""ian State Ar4hi+e #rLiterat!re an$ the Art" RGALIJ r %la$iir 6!elen9+ an$ r %la$iir 6rtae+ #the R!""ian State Militar( Ar4hi+e RG%AJ Pr#e""r 6(rill Mi9hail+i4h An$er"en an$r Ole- %la$iir+i4h Na!+ at the R!""ian State Ar4hi+e #r S4ial>Pliti4al Hi"tr(RGASPIJ r Man#re$ 6ehri-< ire4tr # the B!n$e"ar4hi+>Militrar4hi+< Frei!r-ieter M:ller an$ Ha!7tann L!49"at at the MGFA inPt"$aJ Pr#e""r r E49hart Hennin- # the Ar4hi+ !r Ge"4hi4hte $er MaD>Plan49>Ge"ell"4ha#tJ r *!l#>E99ehar$ L!49e at the Lan$e"ar4hi+>BerlinJ Fra! Irina Ren #the Bilithe9 #:r 8eit-e"4hi4hte in St!tt-artJ r Lar" Eri4"n an$ Per Cla"n at the6ri-"ar9i+et in St49hlJ =hn E Ta(lr< *ilert Mahne( an$ Rin C9"n atNatinal Ar4hi+e" II< Clle-e Par9< Mar(lan$J r =e##re( Clar9e at the Unite$ State"Ar( Center # Militar( Hi"tr(


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Ben-t +n !r M:hlen< the #!n$er # Chrn">Fil< ha" een 7arti4!larl( -ener!" withar4hi+al #ta-e an$ ta7e$ inter+iew" # 7arti4i7ant" I a al" -reatl( li-e$ t Geral$Ra an$ t ietar Arnl$ # Berliner Unterwelten #r their hel7

I a tr!l( -rate#!l t all th"e wh ai$e$ e " !4h $!rin- ( tra+el" with a$+i4eG:nther an$ Fra! +n Ha"e< an$An$rew an$ Sall( Gi"nJ in the Unite$ State"< S!"an Mar( Al"7< Ma3r General an$Mr" Charle" %(+(an< Br!4e Lee< Mr an$ Mr" Charle" +n L!tti4ha! an$ MartinBl!en"n

It ha" een a -reat 7lea"!re #r e< a" well a" eDtreel( !"e#!l #r the 9< t wr9 in7artner"hi7 with BBC Tiewat4h I a $ee7l( -rate#!l t La!ren4e Ree"< wh"e i$ea itwa"< t r Tilan Ree< in wh"e 47an( I ha+e "t en3(al( learne$ a -reat$eal< an$ t etle# Sieert< wh -ener!"l( hel7e$ " !4h at an earl( "ta-e with a$+i4e

an$ inter+iewee" Other" wh ha+e al" 7r+i$e$ intr$!4tin"< in#ratin< hel7 an$a$+i4e in4l!$e Anne A77lea!< Chri"t7her Ar9ell< Cla!$ia Bi"ar49< Le7l$ Gra#+n Bi"ar49< Sir R$ri4 Braithwaite< Pr#e""r Chri"t7her an$e9er< r En-el # theAr4hi+ $er Freien Uni+er"itat< Pr#e""r =hn Eri49"n< *l# Gehar$t< =n Halli$a(R"t+"9(< r Catherine Merri$ale< Pr#e""r Ole- Ale9"an$r+i4hRhe"he+"9(< Pr#e""r M"he S4hein # the New Yr9 Meth$i"t H"7ital< 6arlS4hwar< Sin Sea->Mnte#ire< Gia S!l9hani"h+ili< r Gal(a %in-ra$+a an$ Ian*e"tn>Sith

Thi" 9< !ite literall(< w!l$ ne+er ha+e een 7""ile in the #r it ta9e" with!t thewn$er#!l hel7 I ha+e ha$ #r r L!a %in-ra$+a in R!""ia an$ An-eli4a +n Ha"e

in Geran( It ha" een a 7ri+ile-e an$ a 7lea"!re t wr9 with the I a al"eDtreel( -rate#!l t Sarah =a49"n #r all her wr9 n 7ht-ra7hi4 re"ear4h< t Bettina+n Ha"e #r "!77leentar( ar4hi+al re"ear4h in Geran( an$ t a+i$ Li"t in En-lan$Charltte Sal#r$ +er( 9in$l( tran"late$ the $4!ent" #r the 6ri-"ar9i+et inSt49hl #r e

I a 7r#!n$l( -rate#!l t Pr#e""r Mi4hael B!rlei-h< Pr#e""r Nran a+ie" an$r Catherine Merri$ale #r rea$inall r 7art" # the t(7e"4ri7t an$ a9in- +er( !"e#!l4riti4i"" An( i"ta9e" whi4h reain are< # 4!r"e< entirel( ( re"7n"iilit(

I 4annt than9 Mar9 Le Fan! an$ the S4iet( # A!thr" en!-h #r re4+erin- thewe"ite" antn(ee+r4< antn(ee+rr- an$ antn(ee+rnet #r a4(er"!atter The"e 4an nw e !"e$ t 7r+i$e an 'a!thr'" 4!t' > a writer'" an"wer t the$ire4tr'" 4!t > th!" a9in- a+ailale ar4hi+al an$ ther aterial #r whi4h there wa" nr in the 7!li"he$ +er"in # the 9

I we< a" alwa("< a h!-e $et t ( a-ent An$rew N!rner- an$ t Ele Gr$n< (e$itr at Pen-!in< th # wh 7!"he$ an initiall( rel!4tant a!thr $wn thi" r!te


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$e"4rie$ it a" 'li9e a "ta-e>"et #r the 7ri"n "4ene in#idelio' Meanwhile< l+in- 4!7le"era4e$ n 4n4rete "7iral "tair4a"e" a" i# ta9in- 7art in a 'tra+e"t( # a #an4(>$re"" all'

There wa" a 7er+a"i+e at"7here # i7en$in- $wn#all in 7er"nal li+e" a" !4h a" inthe natin'" eDi"ten4e Pe7le "7ent their ne( re49le""l(< hal#>a""!in- that it w!l$

"n e wrthle"" An$ there were "trie"< alth!-h har$ t 4n#ir< # -irl" an$ (!n-wen 4!7lin- with "tran-er" in $ar9 4rner" ar!n$ the 8 "tatin an$ in theTier-arten The $e"ire t $i"7en"e with inn4en4e i" "ai$ t ha+e e4e e+en re$e"7erate later a" the Re$ Ar( a77ra4he$ Berlin The air>rai$ "helter" the"el+e"< litwith l!e li-ht"< 4!l$ in$ee$ 7r+i$e a #reta"te # 4la!"tr7hi4 hell< a" 7e7le 7!"he$in !n$le$ in their ware"t 4lthe" an$ 4arr(in- "all 4ar$ar$ "!it4a"e" 4ntainin-"an$wi4he" an$ ther" In ther(< all a"i4 nee$" were 4atere$ #r in the "helter" Therewa" a Sanit$tsraum< with a n!r"e< where wen 4!l$ - int la!r Chil$irth "eee$t e a44elerate$ ( the +iratin" #r eD7l"in"< whi4h #elt a" i# the( 4ae a"!4h #r the 4entre # the earth a" #r -r!n$ le+el The 4eilin-" were 7ainte$ withl!in!" 7aint #r the #re!ent 44a"in" $!rin- the air rai$" when the li-ht" #aile$< #ir"t

$iin- then #li49erin- ##K *ater "!77lie" 4ea"e$ when ain" were hit< an$ the%orte< r la+atrie"< "n e4ae $i"-!"tin-< a real $i"tre"" #r a natin 7re44!7ie$with h(-iene O#ten the la+atrie" were "eale$ ## ( the a!thritie" e4a!"e there were" an( 4a"e" # $e7re""e$ 7e7le wh< ha+in- l49e$ the $r< 4itte$ "!i4i$e

Fr a 77!latin # ar!n$ & illin< Berlin $i$ nt ha+e en!-h "helter"< " the( were!"!all( +er4rw$e$ In the ain 4rri$r"< "eatin- hall" an$ !n9 r"< the air wa"#!l #r +er>!"e an$ 4n$en"atin $ri77e$ #r the 4eilin-" The 47leD # "helter"!n$er the Ge"!n$r!nnen U>Bahn "tatin ha$ een $e"i-ne$ t ta9e 1


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Berliner" "!##ere$ #r an ata+i"ti4 an$ +i"4eral #ear # the Sla+ in+a$er #r the ea"tFear wa" ea"il( t!rne$ t hate A" the Re$ Ar( a77ra4he$< Geel"'" 7r7a-an$ahar9e$ n a-ain an$ a-ain a!t the atr4itie" at Neer"$r#< when Re$ Ar( tr7"ha$ in+a$e$ the "!th>ea"tern 4rner # Ea"t Pr!""ia the 7re+i!" a!t!n an$ ra7e$ an$!r$ere$ inhaitant" # thi" +illa-e

Se 7e7le ha$ their wn rea"n" #r re#!"in- t ta9e "helter $!rin- a in- rai$ Aarrie$ an wh !"e$ t +i"it hi" i"tre"" re-!larl( in the $i"tri4t # Prenla!erer-4!l$ nt - $wn t the 4!nal 4ellar e4a!"e that w!l$ ha+e ar!"e$ "!"7i4in"One e+enin-< the !il$in- re4ei+e$ a $ire4t hit< an$ the l!49le"" a$!lterer< wh ha$ een"ittin- n a "#a< wa" !rie$ !7 t hi" ne49 in r!le A#ter the rai$< a ( 4alle$ Eri4hS4hi$t9e an$ a Ce4h la!rer wh"e ille-al 7re"en4e in the 4ellar ha$ een tlerate$hear$ hi" "4rea" # 7ain an$ ran !7"tair" twar$" the "!n$ A#ter he ha$ een $!- !tan$ 4arrie$ ## #r treatent< the #!rteen>(ear>l$ Eri4h then ha$ t - t tell the in3!re$an'" wi#e that her h!"an$ ha$ een a$l( in3!re$ in thi" ther wan'" #lat She "tarte$"4reain- in an-er The #a4t that he ha$ een with thi" wan a-itate$ her #ar re than

hi" #ate Chil$ren in th"e tie" re4ei+e$ a har"h intr$!4tin t the realitie" # the a$!ltwrl$ General G:nther Bl!entritt< li9e "t # th"e in a!thrit(< wa" 4n+in4e$ thatthe in- rai$" n Geran( 7r$!4e$ a real 'Volksgenossenschaft' r '7atriti44ra$e"hi7' Thi" a( well ha+e een tr!e in 1)2 an$ 1)&< !t ( late 1)) the e##e4tten$e$ t 7larie 7inin etween the har$liner" an$ the war>wear( Berlin ha$ een the4it( with the hi-he"t 7r7rtin # 77nent" t the Nai re-ie< a" it" +tin- re4r$"e#re 1&& in$i4ate B!t with the eD4e7tin # a +er( "all an$ 4!ra-e!" inrit(!7 #r a h!-e ##en"i+e in the ea"t He warne$ that the atta49 w!l$ ta9e7la4e within three wee9" an$ re!e"te$ that< "in4e the Ar$enne" ##en"i+e ha$ nw-r!n$ t a halt< a" an( $i+i"in" a" 7""ile "h!l$ e with$rawn #r re$e7l(ent nthe %i"t!la #rnt Hitler "t77e$ hi He $e4lare$ that "!4h e"tiate" # ene( "tren-thwere 7re7"ter!" S+iet ri#le $i+i"in" ne+er ha$ re than /


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##i4er" He "!"7e4te$ that an( re ha$ "(7athie$ with the #aile$ a""a""in"< (et the(ha$ een 7lea"e$ en!-h t a44e7t e$al" an$ $e4ratin" #r hi '*e will ne+er"!rren$er


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The nl( in$!"tr( whi4h a77eare$ t e #l!ri"hin- wa" araent" 7r$!4tin< $ire4te$( Hitler'" 7er"nal ar4hite4t an$ underkind< Alert S7eer On 1& =an!ar(< S7eer -a+e a7re"entatin t ar( 4r7" 4an$er" in the 4a7 at 6ra7nit 3!"t !t"i$e Berlin Hee7ha"ie$ the i7rtan4e # 4nta4t etween #rnt 4an$er" an$ the war in$!"trie"S7eer< !nli9e ther Nai ini"ter"< $i$ nt in"!lt hi" a!$ien4e'" intelli-en4e He $i"$aine$

e!7hei"" a!t the "it!atin an$ $i$ nt "hrin9 #r entinin- the '4ata"tr7hi4l""e"' "!"taine$ ( the *ehra4ht +er the la"t ei-ht nth"

The Allie$ in- 4a7ai-n wa" nt the 7rle< he ar-!e$ Geran in$!"tr( ha$7r$!4e$ 210har$ene$ 4atant" # the Ea"tern Frnt ha$ 4e t elie+e that it!"t all en$ in $eath An( ther !t4e a77eare$ !nthin9ale a#ter e+er(thin- that ha$-ne e#re The( 9new what ha$ een $ne in the 44!7ie$ territrie" an$ that the Re$


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Ar( inten$e$ t eDa4t re+en-e S!rren$er eant ein- wr9e$ t $eath in Sierianla!r 4a7" a" a ''Stalinpferd'< a 'Stalin hr"e' '*e n ln-er #!-ht #r Hitler< r #rNatinal S4iali"< r #r the Thir$ Rei4h


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'The Ea"tern Frnt atin" whi4h ha$#re!entl( 4a!-ht the Geran" ## alan4e (et "e wea9ne""e" reaine$ The wr"twa" the 4hati4 la49 # $i"4i7line< whi4h "ee" a"tni"hinin a ttalitarian "tate Part #the 7rle 4ae #r the terrile attritin an- (!n- ##i4er"

It wa" a har$ "4hl in$ee$ #r "e+enteen> an$ ei-hteen>(ear>l$ 3!nir lie!tenant" in thein#antr( 'At that tie


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7!t it< 'i" har$(< !n$ean$in-< 4arele"" an$ a 4n+in4e$ #atali"t It i" the"e4hara4teri"ti4" whi4h a9e hi in47arale' An r$inar( "l$ier in a ri#le $i+i"in7r+i$e$ a "!ar( in hi" $iar( # the 4han-in- $" # hi" 4ra$e" 'Fir"t "tate@"l$ier with n 4hie#" ar!n$ He i" a -r!ler

He threaten" an$ "hw" ## He i" 9een t 749et "ethin- r -ra "ene in a "t!7i$ar-!ent One 4an "ee #r thi" irritailit( that the "l$ier'" li#e i" har$ #r hi Se4n$"tate@ "l$ier in the 7re"en4e # 4hie#"@ "!i""i+e an$ inarti4!late Rea$il( a-ree" withwhat he i" tl$ Ea"il( elie+e" 7ri"e" Bl""" when 7rai"e$ an$ i" ea-er t a$irethe "tri4tne"" # ##i4er" wh he a9e" #!n # ehin$ their a49" Thir$ "tate@ wr9in-t-ether r in attle@ here he i" a her He wn't lea+e hi" 4ra$e in $an-er He $ie"!ietl(< a" i# it i" "till 7art # hi" wr9'

Tan9 tr7" in the Re$ Ar( were in 7arti4!larl( -$ heart Ha+in- een a"$eralie$ a" S+iet a+iatin in the earl( 7art # the war< the( were "tartin- t en3(heri4 "tat!" %a"il( Gr""an< anther n+eli"t an$ war 4rre"7n$ent< nw #!n$

'tan9i"t"' al"t a" #a"4inatin- a" he ha$ #!n$ "ni7er" at Stalin-ra$ He $e"4rie$ thea$irin-l( a" '4a+alr(en< artiller(en an$ e4hani4" all rlle$ in ne' B!t the -reate"t"tren-th # the Re$ Ar( wa" the !rnin- i$ea that the( were #inall( within "tri9in-$i"tan4e # the Rei4h The +ilatr" # the S+iet Mtherlan$ were a!t t $i"4+er thetr!e eanin- # the 7r+er< 'Y! will har+e"t what (! ha+e "wn'

The a"i4 4n4e7t # the 4a7ai-n ha$ een $e4i$e$ in !tline ( the en$ # O4ter1)) The Stavka< the S+iet "!7ree hea$!arter"< wa" hea$e$ ( Mar"hal Stalin< a" heha$ 7rte$ hi"el# a#ter the attle # Stalin-ra$ Stalin inten$e$ t 9ee7 #!ll 4ntrl

He allwe$ 4an$er" a latit!$e # a4tin whi4h their Geran 4!nter7art" en+ie$Pli"h war # 125< when he ha$ een 7artl( lae$ #r the $i"a"tr!" $e#eat #the Re$ Ar( atta49in- *ar"aw


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R9""+"9( wa" !tra-e$ when he hear$ that he wa" t e tran"#erre$ t 4an$ the2n$ Belr!""ian Frnt ar( -r!7 t atta49 Ea"t Pr!""ia Mar"hal Ger-( 8h!9+< the"t49( an$ ien"el( t!-h 4an$er wh $ire4te$ the $e#en4e # M"4w ine4eer 1)1< wa" t ta9e hi" 7la4e '*h( thi" $i"-ra4e' R9""+"9( $ean$e$'*h( a I ein- +e$ #r the ain aDi" t ne # "e4n$ar( i7rtan4e'

R9""+"9( "!"7e4te$ that 8h!9+< wh he ha$ 4n"i$ere$ a #rien$< ha$ !n$erine$hi< !t in #a4t Stalin $i$ nt want a Ple t en3( the -lr( # ta9in- Berlin It wa"nat!ral that R9""+"9( "h!l$ e "!"7i4i!" He ha$ een arre"te$ $!rin- the 7!r-e #the Re$ Ar( in 1&/ The eatin-" #r Beria'" hen4hen $ean$in- 4n#e""in" #trea"n were en!-h t a9e e+en the "t alan4e$ 7er"n "li-htl( 7arani$ An$R9""+"9( 9new that La+rent( Beria< the hea$ # the N6% "e4ret 7li4e< an$ %i9trAa9!+< the 4hie# # SMERSH 4!nter>intelli-en4e< wat4he$ hi 4l"el( Stalin ha$le#t R9""+"9( in n $!t that the 1&/ a44!"atin" "till h!n- +er hi He ha$"i7l( een relea"e$ 4n$itinall( An( l!n$er a" a 4an$er w!l$ 7!t hi "trai-hta49 int N6% 4!"t$( 'I 9nw +er( well what Beria i" 4a7ale #4n4eit' He wa" 7ral( Stalin'" #a+!rite

-eneral an$ ne # the +er( #ew "enir 4an$er" wh e+en Stalin a$ire$ #r hi"r!thle""ne"" Stalin ha$ 7rte$ hi t ar"hal # the S+iet Unin a#ter hi" 4r!"hin-# the 6r"!n 749et< "!th # 6ie+< 3!"t !n$er a (ear e#re It ha$ een ne # the "t7itile"" en-a-eent" in a +er( 4r!el war 6ne+ r$ere$ hi" air4ra#t t $r7 in4en$iarie"n the "all twn # Shan$er+9a t #r4e the Geran" "helterin- there !t int theliar$ A" the( "tr!--le$ t rea9 !t # the en4ir4leent n 1/ Fer!ar( 1))< 6ne+"7ran- hi" tra7 Hi" tan9 4rew" 4har-e$ "trai-ht #r the 4l!n< #irin- a4hine -!n" an$r!nnin- en $wn t 4r!"h the !n$er their tra49" A" the Geran" "4attere$< tr(in- t#lee thr!-h the hea+( "nw< 6ne+'" three $i+i"in" # 4a+alr( "et ## in 7!r"!it TheC""a49" 4!t the $wn er4ile""l( with their "are"< a77arentl( ha49in- e+en at ar"rai"e$ in "!rren$er Se 25


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the hrin a" a '#ire>"tr' an$ a$$e$ that it wa" 'li9e the hea+en" #allin- $wn n earth'Pri"ner" #r the 1.th Paner i+i"in 4a7t!re$ late that $a( 4laie$ that n4e thear$ent "tarte$< their 4an$er< Ma3r General M:ller< $r+e ## twar$" thetwn # 6iel4e< aan$nin- hi" en

S+iet tan9 4rew" ha$ 7ainte$ "l-an" n their t!rret"@ 'Frwar$ int the #a"4i"t lair;' an$'Re+en-e an$ $eath t the Geran 44!7ier";' The( #a4e$ little re"i"tan4e a" their T>&)an$ hea+( Stalin tan9" +e$ #rwar$ at 2 7 Their h!ll" 4ate$ in #r"t were well4a!#la-e$ #r the "nw( lan$"4a7e ahea$< e+en i# all wa" rwn in the i$$le $i"tan4e#r "hell>4h!rne$ !$

Aln- with Bre"la!< the ain 3e4ti+e" # General R(al9'" &r$ G!ar$" Tan9 Ar(an$ General Lel(!"hen9'" )th G!ar$" Tan9 Ar( were the in$!"trial re-in" # Sile"ia*hen Stalin ha$ rie#e$ 6ne+ in M"4w< he ha$ 7inte$ at the a7 an$ 4ir4le$ thearea with hi" #in-er He !the$ a "in-le wr$@ 'Gl$' N #!rther 4ent wa" nee$e$6ne+ 9new that Stalin wante$ the #a4trie" an$ ine" t e ta9en inta4t

On the rnin- a#ter 6ne+'" atta49 #r the San$ier ri$-ehea$< the a""a!lt n Ea"tPr!""ia e-an with General Chern(a9h+"9('" &r$ Belr!""ian Frnt On the #llwin-$a(< 1) =an!ar(< R9""+"9('" #r4e" atta49e$ Ea"t Pr!""ia #r the Ri+er Narewri$-ehea$" 8h!9+'" 1"t Belr!""ian Frnt went int a4tin n it" tw ri$-ehea$" nthe %i"t!la at Ma-n!"ew an$ P!law( A thin la(er # "nw 4+ere$ the -r!n$ an$$en"e i"t la"te$ !ntil nn At 0&5 a< 8h!9+'" 1"t Belr!""ian Frnt 7ene$ !7with twent(>#i+e in!te" #'rllin- #ire' The a$+an4e$ ri#le attalin"< "!77rte$ ( "el#>7r7elle$ a""a!lt -!n"< "eie$ the #rnt line" in the Ma-n!"ew ri$-ehea$ The 0thG!ar$" Ar( an$ the ,th Sh49 Ar(< with hea+( artiller( "!77rt< then r9e 7en thethir$ line The ain arrier e(n$ wa" the Ri+er Pili4a 8h!9+'" 7lan wa" #r ri#le

$i+i"in" t "eie 4r""in- 7la4e" #r the -!ar$" tan9 ri-a$e" #llwin- n ehin$

The ri-ht>han$ tan9 ri-a$e # B-$an+'" 2n$ G!ar$" Tan9 Ar( wa" ne # the #ir"t t4r"" the Pili4a A" a lea$ !nit< the )/th G!ar$" Tan9 Bri-a$e ha$ a +ariet( # "!77rtatta4he$< in4l!$in- "a77er"< "el#>7r7elle$ artiller(< trie$ anti>air4ra#t -!n"< an$ aattalin # "!>a4hine -!nner" !nte$ in tr!49" It" 3e4ti+e wa" an air#iel$ 3!"t"!th # the twn # S4ha4ew< an i7rtant 3!n4tin $!e we"t # *ar"aw O+er theneDt tw $a("< the ri-a$e 4har-e$ nrthwar$"< $e"tr(in- 4l!n" # #leein- Geran"n the wa( an$ 4r!"hin- "ta## 4ar" 'with their tra49"'

It t9 !4h ln-er #r the 1"t G!ar$" Tan9 Ar( n the le#t t rea9 thr!-h ClnelG!"a9+"9(< a Her # the S+iet Unin twi4e +er< wa" " i7atient a#ter the ln- waitthat when hi" ))th G!ar$" Tan9 Bri-a$e rea4he$ the Pili4a< he re#!"e$ t wait #r theri$-in- e!i7ent It a77eare$ t e a "hallw "tret4h # the ri+er< " t "a+e 'tw rthree h!r"' he r$ere$ hi" tan9 4an$er" #ir"t t "a"h the i4e with -!n#ire< then t$ri+e their +ehi4le" a4r"" the ri+er e$ The tan9"< a4tin- li9e i4erea9er"< 7!"he$ ther9en i4e a"i$e 'with a terrile th!n$erin- ni"e' It !"t ha+e een terri#(in- #r thetan9 $ri+er"< !t G!"a9+"9( $i$ nt "ee 4n4erne$ ( "!4h 7rle" 8h!9+ t wa"


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intere"te$ nl( in -ettin- the tan9 ri-a$e" a4r"" " that the( 4!l$ $eal with the 2,than$ the 1th Paner i+i"in" A#ter that< the 4!ntr( la( 7en ahea$

Thin-" ha$ -ne 3!"t a" well #r hi at the P!law( ri$-ehea$ n 1) =an!ar( The 7lanwa" nt t ar$ the whle line< !t "i7l( t la"t 4rri$r" thr!-h it B( that

e+enin- the( were well n the wa( t the 4it( # Ra$ Meanwhile n the 1"tBelr!""ian Frnt'" eDtree ri-ht< the )/th Ar( e-an t en4ir4le *ar"aw #r thenrth an$ the 1"t Pli"h Ar( #!-ht int the "!!r"

In the late a#ternn # Mn$a( 1, =an!ar(< 'e4a!"e # the i- a$+an4e in the ea"t't>earth rea"n #r rin-in- the -reat ##en"i+e #rwar$ Stalin wa" wrrie$that the 7re$i4te$ 4han-e in the weather #r the e-innin- # Fer!ar( w!l$ t!rn har$

-r!n$ t !$ an$ there#re "lw !7 hi" tan9"

One a"7e4t # the eetin- with Te$$er i" "t re+ealin- 'Stalin e7ha"ie$traine$ "ta(>ehin$ -r!7" wa" Stalin'" 7re>e7ti+e 3!"ti#i4atin# S+iet r!thle""ne"" in Plan$ Beria wa" al" tr(in- t ran$ the nn>C!ni"t

re"i"tan4e< the Aria 6ra3wa< a" '#a"4i"t' $e"7ite it" "!i4i$al ra+er( in the *ar"aw!7ri"in-

The neDt twent(>#!r h!r" 7r+e$ that the S+iet arie" whi4h ha$ r9en thr!-h the%i"t!la #rnt were in$ee$ a$+an4in- at #!ll "7ee$ Ea4h "eee$ t !ti$ the ther

The ra7i$ a$+an4e" # 8h!9+'" tan9 arie" were 7artl( $!e t the "i7li4it( an$ r!"t4n"tr!4tin # the T>&) tan9 an$ it" ra$ tra49"< whi4h 4!l$ 47e with "nw< i4e an$!$ E+en "< the e4hani4'" "9ill" 7r+e$ at lea"t a" i7rtant a" 4a+alr( $a"h< e4a!"e#iel$ wr9"h7" 4!l$ nt 9ee7 !7 'Ah< what a li#e it wa" e#re the war


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!7 t S4ha4ew #r the "!th an$ the en4ir4leent # *ar"aw #r the nrth ( the)/th Ar( eant that the -arri"n l"t 4nta4t with it" 7arent #ratin< the Ninth Ar(

General Har7e'" "ta## at Ar( Gr!7 'A' warne$ O6H in 8""en n the e+enin- # 1.=an!ar( that the( w!l$ nt e ale t hl$ the 4it( Clnel B-i"law +n Bnin< the

hea$ # the 7eratin" $e7artent< $i"4!""e$ the "it!atin with G!$erian The( $e4i$e$t -i+e ar( -r!7 hea$!arter" a #ree han$ in the $e4i"in< an$ G!$erian "i-ne$ the"i-nal" l- with hi" !"!al 'G' in -reen in9 B!t in theNachtlage< Hitler'" i$ni-ht"it!atin 4n#eren4e< the 7r7"al t aan$n *ar"aw wa" re7rte$ t Hitler ( ne #hi" wn "ta## e#re G!$erian'" $e7!t(< General *alther *en49< r!-ht the "!3e4t !7Hitler eD7l$e$ 'Y! !"t "t7 e+er(thin-;' he "h!te$ 'Frtre"" *ar"aw !"t e hel$;'B!t it wa" alrea$( t late an$ ra$i 4!ni4atin" ha$ r9en $wn A #ew $a(" laterHitler i""!e$ an r$er that e+er( in"tr!4tin "ent t an ar( -r!7 ha$ t e "!itte$ thi #ir"t

The #all # *ar"aw le$ t anther itter rw etween Hitler an$ G!$erian< wh were "till

ar-!in- +er Hitler'" $e4i"in t +e the ,rossdeutschlandCr7" G!$erian wa" e+enre #!ri!" t hear that Hitler wa" tran"#errin- the SiDth SS Paner Ar( nt t the%i"t!la #rnt< !t t H!n-ar( Hitler< hwe+er< re#!"e$ t $i"4!"" it The with$rawal #r*ar"aw wa"< in hi" e(e"< a #ar re !rnin- i""!e

At the nn 4n#eren4e neDt $a(< 10 =an!ar(< G!$erian wa" -i+en a 7!li4 $re""in->$wn< !t wr"e wa" t #llw 'That e+enin-


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ene( are a77ra4hin- 6atwi4e' It wa" the $a( that S+iet #r4e" 4r""e$ the Rei4hr$er ea"t # Hhen"ala

G!$erian'" wi#e aan$ne$ S4hl"" ei7enh# 'hal# an h!r e#re the #ir"t "hell" e-ant #all' The 4hie# # "ta## wrte that the e"tate wr9er" the( were 7ral( re"ettle$

Balti4 Geran" '"t$ in tear" e"i$e her 4ar an$ an( w!l$ willin-l( ha+ea447anie$ her'

Alth!-h there 4an e little $!t a!t their $e"7eratin t lea+e< thi" a( nt ha+e een$!e entirel( t l(alt( t their 4hatelaine R!!r" # what wa" ha77enin- in Ea"tPr!""ia ha$ alrea$( "tarte$ t 4ir4!late Sl$ier" # the Re$ Ar(< an$ it" Pli"h#ratin" e"7e4iall(< were !nli9el( t #eel an( re er4i#!l a#ter what the( ha$witne""e$ in the Pli"h 4a7ital '*e "aw the $e"tr!4tin # *ar"aw when we entere$ it"e7t( "treet" n that erale $a(< 1/ =an!ar( 1),an$>a>hal#>etre>hi-h wall t77e$ with r9en -la"" an$ are$ wire an$ the=!$enrat< the =ewi"h a$ini"trati+e !il$in- The re"t # the -hett wa" 'a "in-le!n$!latin- re$ "ea # r9en ri49"'

Gr""an wn$ere$ hw an( th!"an$" # $ie" were !rie$ !n$erneath It wa" har$t ia-ine an(ne e"4a7in-< !t a Ple le$ hi t where #!r =ew" ha$ 3!"t eer-e$#r their hi$in- 7la4e hi-h a+e the -ir$er" # a tall "9eletn # a !il$in-

6

Fire an" S3or" an" No7le Fury

*hen General Chern(a9h+"9( la!n4he$ hi" ##en"i+e a-ain"t Ea"t Pr!""ia n 1&=an!ar(< 7liti4al ##i4er" ere4te$ "i-n" t ar!"e the tr7"@ 'Sl$ier< reeer (! arenw enterin- the lair # the #a"4i"t ea"t;' Chern(a9h+"9('" atta49 $i$ nt -et ## t a-$ "tart The 4an$er # the Thir$ Paner Ar(< n the a"i" # -$ intelli-en4e7r7elle$ -!n" e4ae an inte-ral 7art # the in#antr( a#ter the 4r""in- #the Nieenwe"twar$" #rthe Narew ri$-ehea$" n 1) =an!ar(< the $a( a#ter Chern(a9h+"9( Hi" ain ta"9 wa"t 4!t ## Ea"t Pr!""ia ( hea$in- #r the !th # the %i"t!la an$ ani- R9""+"9(wa" !nea"( a!t the Stavka7lan Hi" arie" w!l$ e4e $eta4he$ #r thChern(a9h+"9('" atta49 n 6Qni-"er- an$ 8h!9+'" 4har-e we"twar$" #r the%i"t!la

The ##en"i+e a-ain"t the Geran Se4n$ Ar( e-an 'in weather whi4h wa" 7er#e4t #rthe atta49'< a" the 4r7" 4an$er n the re4ei+in- en$ nte$ re-ret#!ll( A thin la(er #"nw 4+ere$ the -r!n$ an$ the Ri+er Narew wa" #ren The #- 4leare$ at nn< an$


25/323

R9""+"9('" arie" were "n "!77rte$ ( 4n"tant air "rtie" Pr-re"" wa" "till "lw#r the #ir"t tw $a("< !t n4e a-ain it wa" the S+iet hea+( artiller( an$ the 9at(!"har49et la!n4her" whi4h a$e the #ir"t rea9thr!-h" 7""ile Irn>har$ -r!n$ al"a$e the "hell" !4h re lethal< with "!r#a4e eD7l"in" The "nw( lan$"4a7e wa"ra7i$l( "4arre$ with 4rater" an$ la49 an$ (ellw "4r4h ar9"

On that #ir"t e+enin-< General Reinhar$t< the 4an$er>in>4hie# # the ar( -r!74+ere$ rtar" in the a49 an$ tra4tr" ha!lin--reat hwiter"< all e+ent!all( #llwe$ ( a "e4n$ e4heln in hr"e>$rawn 4art" The+ariet( # 4hara4ter" an- the "l$ier" wa" al"t a" -reat a" their ilitar( e!i7entThere were th"e wh "aw e+en (!n- Geran (" a" er( SS en an$ elie+e$ thatthe( "h!l$ all e 9ille$ e#re the( -rew !7 an$ in+a$e$ R!""ia a-ain< an$ there wereth"e wh "7are$ 4hil$ren an$ -a+e the "ethin- t eat There were #reeter" wh$ran9 an$ ra7e$ !ite "haele""l(< an$ there were i$eali"ti4< a!"tere C!ni"t" an$eer" # the intelli-ent"ia -en!inel( a77alle$ ( "!4h eha+i!r The writer Le+67ele+< then a 7liti4al ##i4er< wa" arre"te$ ( SMERSH 4!nter>intelli-en4e #rha+in- 'en-a-e$ in the 7r7a-an$a # !r-ei" h!ani"< # 7it( #r the ene('67ele+ ha$ al" $are$ t 4riti4ie the #er4it( # Il(a Ehren!r-'" arti4le"


27/323

The initial a$+an4e" # R9""+"9('" arie" were " ra7i$ that the Geran a!thritie"in 6Qni-"er- "ent "e+eral re#!-ee train" t Allen"tein !naware that it ha$ een 4a7t!re$( the &r$ G!ar$" Ca+alr( Cr7" Fr the C""a49"< the re#!-ee train" were i$eal4n4entratin" # wen an$ t( #allin- int their han$"

Beria an$ Stalin a49 in M"4w 9new 7er#e4tl( well what wa" -in- n In ne re7rtthe( were tl$ that 'an( Geran" $e4lare that all Geran wen in Ea"t Pr!""ia wh"ta(e$ ehin$ were ra7e$ ( Re$ Ar( "l$ier"' N!er!" eDa7le" # -an- ra7e were-i+en > '-irl" !n$er ei-hteen an$ l$ wen in4l!$e$' In #a4t +i4ti" 4!l$ e a" (!n-a" twel+e (ear" l$ 'The N6% -r!7 atta4he$ t the )&r$ Ar( $i"4+ere$ thatGeran wen wh ha$ "ta(e$ ehin$ in S4h7aleiten ha$ trie$ t 4it "!i4i$e'< there7rt 4ntin!e$ 'The( interr-ate$ ne # the 4alle$ Ea 6rn KOn & Fer!ar(


28/323

E+en General O9r9+< the 4hie# # the 7liti4al $e7artent # the 2n$ Belr!""ianFrnt< 77"e$ at a eetin- n . Fer!ar( what he "aw a" a 're#!"al t ta9e re+en-e nthe ene(' In M"4w< the a!thritie" were le"" wrrie$ a!t ra7e an$ !r$er thana!t the "en"ele"" $e"tr!4tin On Fer!ar(ne>(ear>l$ #r A-ranen9'" re4nnai""an4e$eta4hent Se "eee$ t #in$ it a!"in- 67ele+ wa" an-r( when ne # hi" wena""i"tant" in the 7liti4al $e7artent a$e 39e" a!t it

Geran 4rie" in the S+iet Unin an$ the re-ie'" relentle"" 7r7a-an$a 4ertainl(4ntri!te$ t the terrile +ilen4e a-ain"t Geran wen in Ea"t Pr!""ia B!t+en-ean4e 4an e nl( 7art # the eD7lanatin< e+en i# it later e4ae the 3!"ti#i4atin #rwhat ha77ene$ On4e "l$ier" ha$ al4hl in"i$e the< the natinalit( # their 7re( a$elittle $i##eren4e Le+ 67ele+ $e"4rie$ hearin- a '#renie$ "4rea' in Allen"tein He "awa -irl< 'her ln-< rai$e$ ln$e hair $i"he+elle$< her $re"" trn< "h!tin- 7ier4in-l(@ KI'Pli"h; =e"!" Mar(< I' Pli"h;K'

She wa" 7!r"!e$ ( tw ineriate$ 'tan9i"t"' in #!ll +iew # e+er(ne

The "!3e4t ha" een " re7re""e$ in R!""ia that e+en t$a( +eteran" re#!"e ta49nwle$-e what reall( ha77ene$ $!rin- the n"la!-ht n Geran territr( The( willa$it t hearin- # a #ew eD4e""e"< an$ then $i"i"" the "!3e4t a" an ine+itale re"!lt #war Onl( a #ew are 7re7are$ t a49nwle$-e that the( witne""e$ "!4h "4ene" The tin(han$#!l 7re7are$ t "7ea9 7enl(< hwe+er< are ttall( !nre7entant The( all li#te$ their"9irt" #r !" an$ la( n the e$


29/323

Geran territr(' It "ee" a" i# S+iet "l$ier" nee$e$ al4hli4 4!ra-e t atta49 awan B!t then< all t #ten< the( $ran9 t !4h an$< !nale t 47lete the a4t #ra7e< !"e$ the ttle in"tea$ with a77allin- e##e4t A n!er # +i4ti" were !tilate$"4enel(

One 4an nl( "4rat4h at the "!r#a4e # the ewil$erin- 7"(4hl-i4al 4ntra$i4tin"*hen -an->ra7e$ wen in 6Qni-"er- e--e$ their atta49er" a#terwar$" t 7!t the!t # their i"er(< the Re$ Ar( en a77ear t ha+e #elt in"!lte$ 'R!""ian "l$ier" $nt "ht wen


30/323

han$e$ +er t SMERSH #r in+e"ti-atin The "ile" # 3( at the arri+al # the Re$Ar( "n #re n their #a4e" in $i"elie# The twi"te$ l-i4 # SMERSH 4!l$ alwa("t!rn a "tr(< hwe+er -en!ine< int a 4n"7ira4( # 4al4!late$ trea4her( An$ there wa"alwa(" the 9iller !e"tin< #r!late$ in a$+an4e in M"4w< t e 7"e$ t e+er(7ri"ner r nn4atant wh 7r#e""e$ alle-ian4e t Stalin@ '*h( are (! nt with the

7arti"an"' The #a4t that there were n 7arti"an -r!7" in Geran( wa" nt re-ar$e$ a" a+ali$ eD4!"e Thi" 7itile""l( Mani4haean line $r!e$ in $!rin- the (ear" # warnat!rall( ten$e$ t 47!n$ the -eneri4 hatre$ # an( S+iet "l$ier" The( a"9e$their 7liti4al ##i4er" wh( the Geran wr9in- 4la"" ha$ nt #!-ht Hitler an$ ne+erre4ei+e$ a $ire4t an"wer It i" nt "!r7ri"in-< there#re< that when the Part( line 4han-e$ar!7tl( in i$>A7ril t "a( that (! "h!l$ nt hate all Geran"< nl( Nai"< an("l$ier" t9 little nti4e

The hate 7r7a-an$a ha$ #allen n re4e7ti+e ear" an$ the $e-ree # lathin- #r an(thin-Geran ha$ e4e tr!l( +i"4eral 'E+en the tree" were ene(


31/323

'Hw "h!l$ ne treat the< Cra$e Ca7tain =!"t thin9 # it The( were well ##< well#e$< ha$ li+e"t49< +e-etale -ar$en" an$ a77le tree" An$ the( in+a$e$ !" The( went a"#ar a" ( la"t # %rneh Fr thi"< Cra$e Ca7tain< we "h!l$ "tran-le the' He7a!"e$ 'I' "rr( #r the 4hil$ren< Cra$e Ca7tain E+en th!-h the( are Frit 9i$"'

The S+iet a!thritie"< n $!t t "a+e Stalin #r lae #r the $i"a"ter # 1)1< ha$ana-e$ t in4!l4ate a "en"e # 4lle4ti+e -!ilt in the S+iet 7e7le that the( ha$ allwe$the Mtherlan$ t e in+a$e$ There 4an e little $!t that the eD7iatin # "!77re""e$-!ilt in4rea"e" the +ilen4e # re+en-e B!t an( ti+e" #r +ilen4e were !4h re"trai-ht#rwar$ itr( Sh4he-l+< a 7liti4al ##i4er with the &r$ Ar(< a$itte$ thatn "eein- Geran lar$er" the( were '$i"-!"te$ ( the 7lent(' whi4h the( #!n$e+er(where The( al" hate$ the r$erl( arran-eent # Geran $e"ti4 li#e KI'$ 3!"tl+e t "a"h ( #i"t int all th"e neat rw" # tin" an$ ttle"4la"" h!"e" whi4h Re$ Ar(

"l$ier" a""!e$ were th"e # Geran arn" A wan ilitar( $4tr wrte he#r near 6Qni-"er-< 'Y! 4annt ia-ine hw an( +al!ale thin-" ha+e een$e"tr(e$ ( the I+an"< hw an( ea!ti#!l an$ 4#rtale h!"e" ha+e een !rne$$wn At the "ae tie< the "l$ier" are ri-ht The( 4an't ta9e e+er(thin- with the inthi" wrl$ r the ther An$ when a "l$ier rea9" a wall>"ie$ irrr< he "ehw #eel"etter It'" a 9in$ # $i"tra4tin l"enin- the -eneral ten"in # the $( an$ the in$' In+illa-e "treet" there were "nw "tr" #r e+i"4erate$ 7illw" an$ #eather attre""e"M!4h wa" al" ewil$erin-l( new t "l$ier" r!-ht !7 in the 7r+in4e" # the S+ietUnin< e"7e4iall( Ue9" an$ T!r9enian" #r Central A"ia The( were a77arentl(e!"e$ n $i"4+erin- hllw tth7i49" #r the #ir"t tie@ '*e th!-ht the( were"traw" #r $rin9in- wine a 'rear rat' #r the "e4n$ e4heln Slhenit"(n $e"4rie$ "4ene"re"elin- a 't!!lt!!" ar9et'< with "l$ier" tr(in- n Pr!""ian wen'" !t"ie$rawer"


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Se #itte$ n " an( la(er" # 4lthin- !n$er their +erall" that the( 4!l$ har$l(+e< an$ tan9 4rew" "t!##e$ " !4h 7l!n$er int their +ehi4le" that it i" aain- thet!rret 4!l$ "till tra+er"e The "!77l( # artiller( "hell" wa" al" re$!4e$ e4a!"e " an(+ehi4le" were la$e$ with in$i"4riinate lt O##i4er" "h9 their hea$" in $e"7air attheir en'" 4hi4e # t(< "!4h a" $inner 3a49et"< t "en$ he in the nthl( 7ar4el

The i$eali"ti4 67ele+ $i"a77r+e$ "trn-l( He re-ar$e$ the "7e4iall( 7eritte$ #i+e>9il 7ar4el a" a '$ire4t an$ !ni"ta9ale in4iteent t 7l!n$er' O##i4er" were allwe$twi4e a" !4h

Fr -eneral" an$ SMERSH ##i4er" there wa" "4ar4el( a liit< !t -eneral" $i$ nt reall(nee$ t "t7 t ltin- Their ##i4er" r!-ht "ele4t ##erin-" E+en 67ele+ 4h"e anelarate h!ntin- ri#le an$ a "et # :rer en-ra+in-" #r General O9r9+< hi" "" inthe 2n$ Belr!""ian Frnt 7liti4al $e7artent

A "all -r!7 # 7r>S+iet Geran ##i4er" wa" ta9en t +i"it Ea"t Pr!""ia The( werea77alle$ ( what the( "aw One # the< C!nt +n Ein"ie$el< +i4e>7re"i$ent # the

N6%>4ntrlle$ Natinal Cittee #r a Free Geran(< tl$ #ellw eer" n hi"ret!rn< 'R!""ian" are a"l!tel( 4ra( a!t +$9a an$ all al4hli4 $rin9" The( ra7ewen< $rin9 the"el+e" int !n4n"4i!"ne"" an$ "et h!"e" n #ire' Thi" wa" ra7i$l(re7rte$ t Beria Il(a Ehren!r-< the #ierie"t # all 7r7a-an$i"t"< wa" al" $ee7l("ha9en n a +i"it< !t it $i$ nt a9e hi $erate hi" #er4it( in 7rint

Re$ Ar( "l$ier" ha$ ne+er een well #e$ $!rin- the war M"t # the tie the( ha$een 7eranentl( h!n-r( I# it ha$ nt een #r the h!-e "hi7ent" # Aeri4an S7aan$ wheat< an( # the w!l$ ha+e een 4l"e t "tar+atin The( ha$ ine+ital(re"rte$ t li+in- ## the lan$< alth!-h it wa" ne+er an ##i4ial 7li4( in the Re$ Ar( a"it ha$ een with the *ehra4ht In Plan$< the( ha$ "tlen the "ee$ 4rn # #arer" an$

"la!-htere$ #r eat the #ew reainin- anial" i""e$ ( the Geran" In Lith!ania the$e"7erate !r-e #r "!-ar ha$ le$ t "l$ier" rai$in- eehi+e"@ in their ran9" the 7re+i!"a!t!n< an( were 4n"7i4!!" with #a4e" an$ han$" $raati4all( "wllen ( ee"tin-" B!t the well>r$ere$ an$ well>"t49e$ #ar" # Ea"t Pr!""ia ##ere$ a !nt(e(n$ their $rea" Cw" inin a-n( #r "wllen !$$er" e4a!"e th"e whil9e$ the ha$ #le$ were #re!entl( "ht $wn with ri#le" an$ a4hine -!n" t et!rne$ int i7r+i"e$ "tea9" 'The( ran awa( an$ le#t e+er(thin- ehin$


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=an!ar( an$ i$>Fer!ar( 1),< al"t 0, illin Geran" #le$ their he" in theea"tern 7r+in4e" # the Rei4h

In Ea"t Pr!""ia< a n!er went t hi$e in the #re"t"< e"7e4iall( %l9""t!r en an$+!lnerale wen< 7ra(in- #r the #!r( t 7a"" The +a"t a3rit(< n the ther han$< ha$

"tarte$ t #lee 3!"t ahea$ # the in+a"in Se le#t e""a-e" #r their en#l9 'earPa7a;' itri Sh4he-l+ #!n$ h!rrie$l( 4hal9e$ in a 4hil$i"h han$ n ne $r '*e!"t e"4a7e t Alt>P ( 4art Fr there n t the Rei4h ( "hi7'

Har$l( an( were t "ee their he" a-ain It wa" the ar!7t an$ ttal $e"tr!4tin # awhle re-in< with it" wn ar9e$ 4hara4ter an$ 4!lt!re< e7ha"ie$ 7erha7" e4a!"e itha$ alwa(" een at the eDtreit( # Geran( n the Sla+ #rntier Stalin ha$ alrea$(7lanne$ t ta9e the nrthern hal# with 6Qni-"er- a" 7art # the S+iet Unin The re"tw!l$ e -i+en t a "atellite Plan$ a" 7artial 47en"atin #r the anneDatin # all #it" ea"tern territrie" a" 'we"tern Belr!""ia' an$ 'we"tern U9raine' Ea"t Pr!""ia it"el# wa"t e wi7e$ #r the a7 On4e R9""+"9('" ,th G!ar$" Tan9 Ar( ha$ 4!t thr!-h

t the Fri"4he" Ha##< the nl( r!te" !t were ( "ea #r Pilla! at the "!th>we"t ti7 #the Salan$ Penin"!la< r +er the i4e t the Fri"4he Nehr!n-< the ln- "an$ar en4l"in-the la-n #r the ani- en$ Perha7" the "t !n#rt!nate #!-iti+e" were the ne"wh #le$ int 6ni-"er-< whi4h wa" "n 4!t ## n the lan$war$ "i$e E"4a7e #r the4it( 7r+e$ #ar #r ea"(< ainl( e4a!"e the Nai a!thritie" ha$ a$e n 7re7aratin"#r the e+a4!atin # 4i+ilian"< an$ it t9 "e tie e#re the #ir"t "hi7" a77eare$ atPilla! Meanwhile< the "ie-e # the Ea"t Pr!""ian 4a7ital e4ae ne # the "t terrile# the war

The re#!-ee" wh rea4he$ the Fri"4he Nehr!n-< the "an$ar # the la-n< the nl( r!te"till 7en t the we"t< re4ei+e$ little 7it( #r *ehra4ht ##i4er" The( #r4e$ the ##

the ra$< in"i"tin- that it wa" #r ilitar( !"e nl( Tre99er" ha$ t aan$n their 4art"an$ eln-in-" an$ "ta--er thr!-h the $!ne" Man( ne+er e+en rea4he$ the Fri"4heNehr!n- On the ainlan$< S+iet tan9 4l!n" "i7l( 4r!"he$ an( re#!-ee #ar 4art" inthe wa( an$ ra9e$ 4n+(" with a4hine>-!n #ire *hen a $eta4hent # tan9 tr7"+ert9 a re#!-ee 4l!n n 1 =an!ar(< 'the 7a""en-er" n the 4art" an$ +ehi4le" were!t4here$' E+en th!-h Ea"t Pr!""ia 4ntaine$ nne # the Nai"' "t ntri!"4n4entratin 4a7"< an N6% $eta4hent 4he49in- an area # #re"t near the +illa-e #6!ennen #!n$ 155 4i+ilian 4r7"e" in three -r!7" in the "nw The( were 7re"!al(+i4ti" # a $eath ar4h Hiler ha$ r$ere$ the e+a4!atin # 4a7" when the Re$Ar( a77ra4he$

'The a3rit( are wen a-e$ 10>&,


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ar!n$ 1, illin S+iet =ew" "i7l( e4a!"e the( were =ewi"h< !t Stalin $i$ nt wantan(thin- t $i+ert attentin #r the "!##erin- # the Mtherlan$

4

The Great (inter &ffensive*hen Geran -eneral" a$$re""e$ their en in #ailiar tne" the( 4alle$ the ''Kinder'' >4hil$ren Thi" 4ae #r a Pr!""ian "en"e # 7aternali" whi4h eDten$e$ t the whle"tate 'The "l$ier i" the 4hil$ # the 7e7le!7 #r the %l9""t!r ilitia

The %l9""t!r it"el# ha$ een rn the 7re+i!" a!t!n !t # Nai i$el-( an$ 7ett(7wer "tr!--le" Hitler'" "!"7i4in" that the ar('" lea$er"hi7 wa" th trea4her!" an$$e#eati"t a$e hi $eterine$ that 4ntrl # thi" a"" ilitia "h!l$ e 9e7t !t # it"han$" Hiler< hea$ # the *a##en SS an$ 4an$er>in>4hie# # the Re7la4eentAr( "in4e the =!l( 7lt< wa" an +i!" 4an$i$ate< !t the aiti!" Martin Brannwa" $eterine$ that the %l9""t!r "h!l$ e r-anie$ l4all( ( the Nai Part(Ga!leiter" wh 4ae !n$er hi Sin4e al"t all Geran ale" etween "e+enteen an$#rt(>#i+e ha$ alrea$( een 4alle$ !7< the %l9""t!r wa" an aal-a # teena-er" an$the el$erl( Geel"< nw al" Rei4h e#en4e Ci""ar #r Berlin< whi77e$ !7 a7r7a-an$a 4a7ai-n with "l-an" "!4h a" 'The F:hrer'" 4all i" !r "a4re$ r$er;' an$'Belie+e; Fi-ht; *in;' Cinea" "hwe$ new"reel" # ar4hin- en< el$erl( an$ (!n-


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"h!l$er t "h!l$er< %l9""t!r $eta4hent" re4ei+in- 7aner#a!"t r49et>7r7elle$-rena$e"< then "wearin- the ath # alle-ian4e t the F:hrer in a""e$ ran9" The 4aeralin-ere$ n the #a4e" # th"e li"tenin- t Geel"'" "7ee4h

There were an( elie+er"< i-nrant # ilitar( realit(< wh were 4n+in4e$ ( thi"

"hw # $eterinatin 'All the 7e7le" # the wrl$ ha+e hat4he$ a 7lt a-ain"t !"< !twe will "hw the what we are 4a7ale # talin" rai"e$ in Sile"ia were all4ate$ t $e#en$their ea"tern an$ nrth>ea"tern #rntier" A #ew 4n4rete e7la4eent" were !ilt< !t"in4e the( ha$ al"t n anti>tan9 wea7n"< S+iet tan9 #r4e" went "trai-ht thr!-hthe

In the in$!"trial area" # U77er Sile"ia< the 4entre # '-l$' in$i4ate$ ( Stalin< Geran

47an( $ire4tr" e4ae in4rea"in-l( anDi!" The( #eare$ a re+lt an- the &55#>war 4a7" a" well a"4n4entratin 4a7" G!ar$" an$ 7ri"ner" tr!$-e$ thr!-h lea9< "nw>4+ere$lan$"4a7e" with!t an( i$ea # $ire4tin r 7!r7"e Late ne a#ternn< a 4l!n #Briti"h 7ri"ner" # war 7a""e$ a lar-e -r!7 # S+iet 7ri"ner" with ra-" wra77e$ r!n$their are #eet 'Their white "tar+e$ #a4e"


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r!talit( that it n ln-er 44!rre$ t hi that h!an ein-" ha$ an( ri-ht t 7rte"t' Hethen e-an t ellw an$ wa+e hi" -!n threatenin-l(< !t the( rare$ an$ 3eere$ all there Their wn -!ar$" 4ae 7!n$in- !7 t re"tre r$er an$ 7!"h the %l9""t!r ana49 twar$" hi" wn 7ri"ner" 'M( G$;' "ai$ ne # 6ee'" 47anin" 'I'll #r-i+e theR!""ian" a"l!tel( an(thin- the( $ t thi" 4!ntr( when the( arri+e A"l!tel(

an(thin-'

*ith Grin- !tterl( $i"4re$ite$< the ain "tr!--le #r 7wer within the Nai lea$er"hi7wa" 7rin4i7all( etween Brann an$ Hiler The =!l( 7lt ha$ -reatl( in4rea"e$Hiler'" 7wer He wa" in 4har-e # the nl( r-aniatin" > the *a##en SS an$ theGe"ta7 > whi4h 4!l$ 4ntrl the ar( *ith Hitler'" 7h("i4al an$ ental "tate -ra+el("ha9en ( the "ae e+ent< he wa" in a "trn- 7"itin t "!44ee$ a" F:hrer< !t whetherhe ha$ the !alitie" t 7la( Stalin t Hitler'" Lenin< a" "e #eare$< wa" a $i##erentatter

Hiler har$l( l9e$ the 7art Hi" '4hie# 7h("i4al 4hara4teri"ti4" were a re4e$in- 4hinin>4hie# *e"t< wa" hi" "!7erir B!t !rie$ in "!th>we"t Geran( in theBla49 Fre"t< Hiler $i$ nt realie that he wa" ra7i$l( l"in- 7wer a49 in Berlin6altenr!nner< the hea$ # the Rei4h Se4!rit( Hea$ O##i4e< wh he hi"el# ha$ rai"e$!7 a#ter He($ri4h'" a""a""inatin in Pra-!e< ha$ een wn +er ( Brann< wh -a+ehi $ire4t a44e"" t Hitler t re4ei+e hi" in"tr!4tin" in 7er"n Hiler al" $i$ ntrealie that hi" liai"n ##i4er at Fiihrer hea$!arter"< SS Gr!77en#:hrer HerannFe-elein< ha$ al" "e4retl( 3ine$ Brann'" 4a7

*hile Nai lea$er" were "4hein- an- the"el+e"< the %i"t!la #rnt ha$ 47letel(4lla7"e$< a" G!$erian ha$ 7re$i4te$ The S+iet tan9 ri-a$e" $i$ nt "t7 at $!"9 The(7!"he$ n thr!-h the h!r" # $ar9ne""< ne 4an$er eD7laine$< e4a!"e the( were'le"" +!lnerale in the $ar9< an$ !r tan9" are terri#(in- at ni-ht'

S+iet 7int !nit" were "etie" a$+an4in- ( "iDt( t "e+ent( 9iletre" a $a( 'AGeran -eneral


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a7< w!l$ ta9e hi" tr!"er" ## an$ - t e$ 7ea4e#!ll( *e w!l$ hit thi" -eneral ati$ni-ht' E+en allwin- #r a $e-ree # a"t#!l eDa--eratin< there 4an e n $!t thatthe ent! # the S+iet a$+an4e !7"et the Geran "ta## "("te Re7rt" n ene(7"itin" at la"t li-ht< 7a""e$ a49 !7 the 4hain # 4an$< rea4he$ ar( -r!7hea$!arter" at 0 a Then O6H ha$ t 7re7are it" $i-e"t an$ "it!atin a7 in tie #r

Hitler'" nntie 4n#eren4e Thi" i-ht - n #r "e tie Fre(ta- +n Lrin-h+en#!rh!r" a#ter their re7rt" n the "it!atin

In thi" theatre # 7wer 7liti4"< !t"i$er"' 4ntri!tin" t 7eratinal $i"4!""in" were"el$ 4n"tr!4ti+e The( were !"!all( "el#>"er+in-< e"7e4iall( i# there wa" a 4han4e t"4re a 7int +er a ri+al at 4!rt Grin- nw "eee$ $e+i$ # Ma4hia+ellian #ine""eHe ha$ n i$ea # ilitar( "trate-( (et w!l$ hl$ #rth at len-th< hi" +a"t !l9 enta4r"" the a7 tale< ren$erin- it in+i"ile t e+er(ne el"e Then< ha+in- a$e a #l #hi"el#< he w!l$ retire t a 4hair near( An a"tni"hin-l( ln->"!##erin- Hitler $i$ nt

re7rian$ hi when he went t "lee7 in #!ll +iew # e+er(ne 7re"ent On ne 44a"inwar 4er4ial tra+eller "nin- n a train

S+iet tan9 $ri+er" were " eDha!"te$ that the( t #re!entl( #ell a"lee7< !t a T>&) rStalin tan9 4!l$ 4learl( with"tan$ rather re than an r$inar( +ehi4le i# it l!n$ere$int "ethin- The 7a$$e$ leather r 4an+a" tan9 helet" were 4ertainl( nee$e$ in"i$ethe l!r4hin- "teel n"ter" The 4rew" were 9e7t -in- t a lar-e $e-ree ( theeDhilaratin # 7!r"!it The "i-ht # Geran e!i7ent aan$ne$ r!-ht #ier4e7lea"!re 'He'" nt -in- t e allwe$ a 4han4e t re"t"h49e$ #r the a""i+e artiller( ar$ent" 'One #the "trai-hten" hi" 3a49et an$ "al!te" e+er( tie a 4ar 7a""e"we"twar$" $!rin- thethir$ wee9 # =an!ar( The 2n$ G!ar$" Tan9 Ar( an$ the ,th Sh49 Ar( 4ntin!e$their 7artner"hi7 n the ri-ht< while the 1"t G!ar$" Tan9 Ar( an$ the 0th G!ar$" Ar(47erate$ 4l"el( n the le#t E+en the 1"t Belr!""ian Frnt hea$!arter" 4!l$ nt9ee7 !7 with their 7r-re""< "etie" i""!in- r$er" #r 3e4ti+e" whi4h ha$ alrea$(een "eie$ *hen General %a"il( Ch!i9+'" 0th G!ar$" Ar( "i-hte$ the in$!"trial 4it(# L$ n 10 =an!ar(< #i+e $a(" ahea$ # "4he$!le< he $e4i$e$ t atta49 with!t4n"!ltin- Frnt hea$!arter" B!t a" hi" ri#le $i+i"in" $e7l(e$ #r their atta49 in thernin-< the( were +er( nearl( e$ ( Re$ Ar( a+iatin The 4it( wa" in theirhan$" ( e+enin- Geran "l$ier" l(in- $ea$ in the "treet" ha$ in an( 4a"e" een9ille$ ( Pli"h 7atrit"< 4arr(in- !t 'their er4ile"" !t 3!"t eDe4!tin"'


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On 2) =an!ar(< Ch!i9+< 4n"i$ere$ the e"t -eneral #r 4it( #i-htin- a" a re"!lt # hi"Stalin-ra$ eD7erien4e< re4ei+e$ r$er" t "eie Pnan P"en On re4ei+in- the "i-nal Ea"t an$ *e"t Pr!""ia an$ Perania> hea$e$ #r the O$er an$ Berlin Th"e #r #!rther "!th > Sile"ia an$ the *arthelan$ >aie$ #r the Nei""e< "!th # Berlin The +a"t a3rit( # the re#!-ee" were wen an$4hil$ren< "in4e al"t all the reainin- en ha$ een $ra#te$ int the %l9""t!r The+ariet( # tran"7rt ran-e$ #r han$4art" an$ 7ra" #r th"e n #t t e+er( "rt ##ar 4art< 7n( tra7 an$ e+en the $$ lan$a!< eDh!e$ #r the "tale" # "e "4hl""There were har$l( an( tr +ehi4le" e4a!"e the *ehra4ht an$ the Nai Part( ha$re!i"itine$ the alrea$(< a" well a" all #!el Pr-re"" wa" 7iti#!ll( "lw< an$ nt 3!"te4a!"e # the "nw an$ i4e Cl!n" 9e7t haltin- e4a!"e 4art" were +erla$e$ an$aDle" r9e Ha( 4art"< #ille$ with h!"ehl$ 3e4t"< ha"< 9e-" an$ 3ar" # #$< weret!rne$ int 4+ere$ wa-n" with a 4r!$e "!7er"tr!4t!re an$ 4ar7et" $ra7e$ +er the!t"i$e Mattre""e" in"i$e 7r+i$e$ "e relie# t hea+il( 7re-nant wen an$ n!r"in-ther" On i4( "!r#a4e"< !n$ern!ri"he$ hr"e" #!n$ it har$ wr9 Se 4art" wereha!le$ ( Den wh"e !n"h$ h+e" were wrn raw ( the ra$"< lea+in- l$"tain" inthe "nw An$ when an anial $ie$< a" wa" all t #ten the 4a"e< there wa" "el$ tiet !t4her it #r #$ Fear # the ene( $r+e the re#!-ee" n


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At ni-ht the 4l!n" were $ire4te$ int wa("i$e +illa-e"< where the( were #ten allwe$t 4a7 in the arn" an$ "tale" # anr h!"e" The wner" w!l$ wel4e in #ellwari"t4rat" #leein- #r Ea"t Pr!""ia a" i# the( were eDtra -!e"t" arri+in- #r a "htin-7art( Near Stl7< in Ea"t Perania< Barn =e"9 +n P!tt9aer "la!-htere$ a 7i- thel7 #ee$ h!n-r( re#!-ee" n a tre9 A '"hrt>le--e$< 7t>ellie$' l4al Nai ##i4ial

t!rne$ !7 t warn hi that "la!-hterin- an anial with!t 7eri""in wa" 'a "eri!"##en4e' The arn ellwe$ at hi t -et ## hi" 7r7ert(< therwi"e he w!l$ "la!-hterhi t

Th"e wh ha$ e"4a7e$ #r Ea"t Pr!""ia in train" were n etter ## On 25 =an!ar(< a#rei-ht train +erla$e$ with 7e7le 7!lle$ "lwl( int the "tatin in Stl7 'H!$$le$"ha7e"< ri-i$ with 4l$< arel( ale t "tan$ !7 an( re an$ 4li !tJ thin 4lthin-air4ra#t wa-n" atta4he$ Are$SS "entrie" "t$ aln- the 7lat> #r at re-!lar inter+al" In a '+er( ele-ant $inin- 4ar'Ei"ann #!n$ a (!n- Unter"t!r#:hrer wh t9 hi $wn the train t eet the

Rei4h"#:hrer SS an$ 4an$er>in>4hie#

Hiler wa" "eate$ at a writin- tale in hi" "aln *hen he "t$ !7 t wel4e hi"+i"itr with a han$"ha9e< Ei"ann #!n$ that hi" han$ wa" '"#t li9e a wan'"'Ei"ann< wh ha$ "een hi nl( in 7i4t!re" r at a $i"tan4e< "t!$ie$ hi 4are#!ll( Thee"7e4ta4le$ Rei4h"#:hrer SS wa" wearin- nt hi" !"!al la49 SS !ni#r< !t #iel$ -re(atta49'< '"a"h in their #lan9' an$ " n Hi" re7lie" were $e+i$ # an( a"i4 ilitar(9nwle$-e Ei"ann ha$ the i7re""in 'that a lin$ an wa" "7ea9in- a!t 4l!r' Hethen a"9e$ what attle>wrth( #ratin" the( ha$ at their $i"7"al Hiler ha$ ni$ea He "eee$ !naware # the #a4t that the Ninth Ar( +irt!all( eDi"te$ in nae nl(Onl( ne thin- wa" 4lear The Rei4h"#:hrer SS $i$ nt a77re4iate $ire4t !e"tin" in-eneral "ta## "t(le

Ar( Gr!7 %i"t!la hea$!arter"< it t!rne$ !t< nt nl( la49e$ traine$ "ta## ##i4er"< ital" ha$ n "!77l( r tran"7rt r-aniatin an$ n "i-nal" $eta4hent The "le ean"# 4!ni4atin wa" the 4hie# # "ta##'" tele7hne An$ a7art #r the ra$ a7 whi4hEi"ann ha$ r!-ht n hi" 3!rne( #r Berlin< the hea$!arter" 7""e""e$ n rethan ne a7 E+en th"e -eneral "ta## ##i4er" wh ha$ eD7erien4e$ earlier $i"a"ter" "till


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#!n$ it har$ t #ath the $e-ree # in47eten4e an$ irre"7n"iilit( # Hitler'"Kamarilla'

Hiler< "till $eterine$ n a 4!nter>atta49< wante$ t thrw t-ether $$ re-ient"an$ attalin" Ei"ann "!--e"te$ a $i+i"inal 4an$er< wh at lea"t ha$ a "ta## an$

4!ni4atin"< t r-anie it< !t Hiler in"i"te$ n a 4r7" 4an$er t a9e it"!n$ i7re""i+e He 4h"e Oer-r!77en#:hrer elh!er Ar( ##i4er" ha$ -i+enelh!er the ni49nae # 'T"4a' a#ter a well>9nwn "4ent # that nae whi4h hewa" "!"7e4te$ # !"in- A a9e"hi#t 4r7" "ta## wa" a""ele$ an$ the #llwin- $a(elh!er t9 +er elh!er< wh ha$ re eD7erien4e than Hiler< wa" nt+er3(e$ at the ta"9 -i+en hi The 7eratin< i# it $e"er+e$ "!4h a nae< 7r+e$ a47lete #ail!re< an$ he e4ae ne # the +er( #ew *a##en SS -eneral" t e $i"i""e$Thi" 7erha7" 7r+9e$ 39e" an- 7era>l+er" n the ar( -eneral "ta## that 'T"4a'a( ha+e een 7!"he$ !t< !t at lea"t he ha$ nt ha$ t 3!7

Anther *a##en S S ##i4er arri+e$ t ta9e +er a" 4hie# # "ta## # the ar( -r!7 Thi"

wa" Bri-a$e#:hrer Laer$in-< a #rer 4an$er # the SS1as ReichPaneri+i"in Alth!-h a re"7e4te$ 4an$er< he ha$ little "ta## eD7erien4e an$ n ta"te #r47ri"e Meanwhile< the S+iet a$+an4e n S4hnei$e:hl #r4e$ Ar( Gr!7%i"t!la hea$!arter" t with$raw nrthwar$" t Fal9en!r- S4hnei$eiihl< $e"i-nate$ a#rtre"" ( Hitler aln- with Pnan< wa" le#t t it" #ate< with ei-ht attalin" #%l9""t!r< a #ew en-ineer" an$ "e #rtre"" artiller( Hitler'" $-a< '*here theGeran "l$ier ha" n4e "t$< he will ne+er retreat'< reaine$ the wat4hwr$

A Peranian %l9""t!r attalin n it" wa( t S4hnei$e:hl ( train #r Stl77a""e$ Hiler'" Steiermarktrain Thi" ">4alle$ 'attalin' wa" 4an$e$ ( Barn=e"9 +n P!tt9aer< the lan$> wner wh ha$ threatene$ the 7t>ellie$ Nai ##i4ial

He an$ hi" ##i4er"< $re""e$ in their !ni#r" #r the Fir"t *rl$ *ar< ha$ r!-ht theirl$ "er+i4e 7i"tl" Their en< "tl( #arer" an$ "h79ee7er"< ha$ n wea7n" at all$ee7 "nw< with the "trn-e"t 7la4e$at the #rnt t tra7le a r!te #r the re"t He re#!"e$ t allw the t e 9ille$ #rnthin- On their ret!rn< the twn"7e7le -reete$ hi a" a her in the Ste7han"7lat!t"i$e the twn hall B!t Barn +n P!tt9aer retire$ t hi" h!"e< "i49 at heart< an$ 7!tawa( the l$ !ni#r< whi4h ha$ e4e $i"hn!re$ '!n$er the"e Hitler" an$Hiler"'

5

The Chare to the &"er


46/323

B( the #!rth wee9 in =an!ar(< Berlin a77eare$ t e in a "tate # 'h("teria an$$i"inte-ratin' There were tw air>rai$ warnin-" a ni-ht< ne at 0 an$ the neDt at 11Re#!-ee" #r the ea"tern territrie" 7a""e$ n terrile a44!nt" # the #ate # th"e4a!-ht ( the Re$ Ar( H!n-ar(< Geran('" la"t all( in the Bal9an"< wa" nw "i$in-7enl( with the S+iet Unin an$ r!!r" # the ra7i$ a$+an4e # S+iet tan9 arie" le$

t 7re$i4tin" that the whle Ea"tern Frnt wa" $i"inte-ratin- Or$inar( "l$ier" h7e$that the ene( w!l$ "ht nl( ##i4er" an$ the SS< an$ wr9er" an$ inr ##i4ial"trie$ t 4n+in4e the"el+e" that the R!""ian" w!l$ $ the n har

The "t a44!rate new" # the "it!atin n the Ea"tern Frnt #iltere$ a49 thr!-hrailwa( wr9er" The( #ten 9new hw #ar the ene( ha$ a$+an4e$ e#re the -eneral"ta## Mre an$ re Geran" t9 the ri"9 # li"tenin- t the BBC t #in$ !t what wa"reall( ha77enin- I# $en!n4e$ t the Ge"ta7 ( a nei-h!r< the( #a4e$ a "7ell in a4n4entratin 4a7 Yet an( Hitler an$ Geel" l(ali"t" "till 7a""inatel( elie+e$e+er( wr$ # the new" a44r$in- t the 'Pri'< the Pr7a-an$a Mini"teri!

P!li4 tran"7rt wa" "till re7aire$ an$ 7e7le 4ntin!e$ their "tr!--le t wr9 ea4h $a(thr!-h the r!in" B!t re an$ re arran-e$ t "lee7 in a7artent" 4l"er t theirwr9 A "lee7in->a- ha$ e4e ne # the "t e""ential ite" # e!i7ent Ca7e$" were al" nee$e$ #r relati+e" an$ #rien$" #leein- #r the ea"t r wh ha$ eene$ !t in Berlin The well 4nne4te$ $i"4!""e$ $i##erent wa(" t e"4a7e the 4a7italR!!r" # lan$wner" "ht !t # han$ ( S+iet tr7" in Ea"t Pr!""ia 4n+in4e$ thethat the !77er 4la""e" a" a whle w!l$ e tar-et" S+iet 7r7a-an$a wa" aie$ al"ta" !4h at the era$i4atin # '=!n9er ilitari"' a" at Natinal S4iali"

Th"e atte7tin- t -et !t ha$ t e 4are#!l< e4a!"e Geel" ha$ $e4lare$ that lea+in-Berlin with!t 7eri""in wa" tanta!nt t $e"ertin Fir"t # all< the( nee$e$ a tra+el

7erit< whi4h 4!l$ e taine$ nl( with "e "tr( # e""ential wr9 !t"i$e the4a7ital Man( # th"e wh reall( $i$ ha+e an ##i4ial tri7 t a9e awa( #r Berlinre4ei+e$ !r!re$ a$+i4e #r en+i!" 4llea-!e"< 'n't 4e a49 Sta( there'Al"t e+er(ne $reae$ # "ee9in- "an4t!ar( in a !iet 4rner # the 4!ntr("i$e where#ar" "till ha$ #$ Se e+en in+e"ti-ate$ the 7""iilit( # 7!r4ha"in- #al"e 7a""7rt"4n+er"atin< tr(in- t in+l+e hi"el# in e+er(thin- B!t$e"7ite hi" inten"e $i"li9e< Fre(ta- "!ne$ !7 hi" 4!ra-e t a"9 a #a+!r A #rien$ #hi" ha$ een ne # the an( arre"te$ in the wa9e # the =!l( 7lt an$ wa" "till hel$ in the4ellar" # Ge"ta7 hea$!arter" He tl$ Fe-elein that he wa" +irt!all( 4ertain that hi"#rien$ ha$ ha$ nthin- t $ with the 4n"7ira4(< an$ a"9e$ i# he 4!l$ at lea"t #in$ !twhat 4har-e" were ein- lai$ a-ain"t hi T hi" "!r7ri"e< Fe-elein a-ree$ t l9 int itan$ hi" #rien$ wa" relea"e$ "hrtl( a#terwar$"

Fe-elein< an SS 4a+alr( 4an$er wh ha$ wn the 6ni-ht'" Cr"" #i-htin- 7arti"an" in

Y!-"la+ia< wa" ena!re$ # hi" wn rather l!4he -$ l9" He 4learl( en3(e$!"in- hi" a""i+e in#l!en4e< whi4h 4ae 7artl( #r hi" 7"itin a" Hiler'"re7re"entati+e an$ 7artl( #r hi" 7rDiit( t the F:hrer He ha$ e4e +er( 4l"e tE+a Bra!n< with wh he $an4e$ an$ r$e Se "!"7e4te$ an a##air etween the< !tthi" wa" !nli9el( She wa" -en!inel( $e+te$ t Hitler< while he wa" 7ral( taiti!" t ri"9 a $allian4e with the F:hrer'" i"tre"" On & =!ne 1))< n the e+e # theAllie$ in+a"in< Hitler ha$ een 4hie# witne"" at Fe-elein'" arria-e t E+a'" (!n-e"t"i"ter< Gretl It wa" the 4l"e"t an(ne 4!l$ -et t a $(na"ti4 arria-e !n$er NatinalS4iali" Hitler'" "ten"il( ilitar( 4!rt ana-e$ t e th "!7er#i4iall( a!"tere an$7r#!n$l( 4rr!7t at the "ae tie< a 4ntra$i4tin whi4h the rhetri4 # "el#>"a4ri#i4e#aile$ t 4n4eal In47eten4e an$ 4ha" etween 47etin- warlr$" an$ 7art(#!n4tinarie" were 4la9e$ ( a #al"e !nit( # l(alt( t their i$el-i4al -$hea$ Theentalit( # "!4h an a""el(< $e"7ite all it" ilitar( !ni#r"< "al!tin- an$ twi4e>$ail("it!atin 4n#eren4e"< 4!l$ nt ha+e een #!rther #r the realit( # the #rnt An$ whileHitler'" health +i"il( $eterirate$< intri-!e" an$ 349e(in- #r 7"itin in4rea"e$ a" theRei4h 4r!le$ Grin-< Geel"< Hiler an$ Brann all +i"!alie$ the"el+e" a"the F:hrer'" "!44e""r Perha7" the tr!e ea"!re # the #anta"( # Nai lea$er" wa" the+er( ntin that the wrl$ i-ht a44e7t an( #r # "!44e""in within the Thir$ Rei4hen4ir4leent # the in$!"trial an$ inin- re-in #r 6atwi4e t Ratir while lea+in-a r!te # e"4a7e #r the Geran #r4e" le#t in the area The &r$ G!ar$" Tan9 Ar( ha$

een hea$in- #r Bre"la! !t< n 6ne+'" r$er< wheele$ har$ le#t n the ar4h an$ 4aea49 !7 aln- the ea"tern an9 # the O$er twar$" O77eln A" i# r-aniin- a -reat"ht< 6ne+ r!-ht !7 the 21"t< ,th an$ .th Arie" t #l!"h the Geran" !t

On the ni-ht # 2/ =an!ar(< the Geran $i+i"in" # the Se+enteenth Ar( 7!lle$ !t an$#le$ #r the O$er General R(al9'" &r$ G!ar$" Tan9 Ar( then a4te$ a" the -!n"4+ere$ lan$"4a7e R(al9'" tan9" were4a!#la-e$< rather i7ral(< with white t!lle #r a lar-e "!77l( 4a7t!re$ in aSile"ian teDtile #a4tr( "!77"e$l( $e+te$ t ttal war

Stalin'" '-l$' wa" "e4!re$ inta4t +er the neDt tw $a(" It wa" a $i"a"ter #r Geran(< a"

G!$erian ha$ warne$ S7eer'" #re4a"t" #r araent" 7r$!4tin< 7re"ente$ t the 4r7"4an$er" at 6ra7nit nl( tw wee9" e#re< la( in r!in" He re4-nie$ thi"hi"el#< 7re$i4tin- that Geran( 4!l$ nw hl$ !t #r a atter # wee9" at e"t Thel"" # the ine" a" well a" the "teelwr9" an$ #a4trie" wa" 7ral( a -reater lw #rGeran 7r$!4tin than all the Allie$ in- # the R!hr in$!"trial re-in +er the la"ttw (ear"

Perha7" the "t "!r7ri"in- 7art # the 7eratin wa" the #a4t that the Geran with$rawalwa" a!thrie$ ( F:hrer hea$!arter" Hitler ha$ "a49e$ General Har7e an$ re7la4e$hi with hi" #a+!rite 4an$er< General S4hQrner< a 4n+in4e$ Nai wh"e tt wa"'Stren-th thr!-h #ear' S4hQrner wa" nl( "ati"#ie$ when hi" "l$ier" were re a#rai$ #

hi" 7!ni"hent than the( were # the ene(

The Se+enteenth Ar( ana-e$ t with$raw< !t relati+el( #ew wen an$ 4hil$rene"4a7e$ #r U77er Sile"ia Man(< e"7e4iall( the l$< "ta(e$ !t # 4hi4e Setie"wi$w" re#!"e$ t lea+e the -ra+e # a h!"an$< while ther" 4!l$ nt #a4e lea+in-#ar" whi4h ha$ een in their #ail( #r -eneratin" The( "en"e$ that i# the( le#t< the(w!l$ ne+er ret!rn A Swe$i"h wan wh ana-e$ t a9e her wa( thr!-h S+ietline" in a #ar 4art tl$ the Swe$i"h ea""( that alth!-h S+iet tr7" 'ha$ a4te$ in a4rre4t anner' in "e 7la4e"< Geran 7r7a-an$a "trie" "eee$ t e "tl( tr!eShe a$$e$ that thi" $i$ nt "!r7ri"e her a#ter the wa( that the Geran" ha$ eha+e$ inR!""ia S+iet tr7" were e!all( r!thle"" whene+er the( "!"7e4te$ '7arti"an' a4ti+it(The ##i4er" # a ri#le 47an(< n #in$in- a R!""ian "l$ier #r a 7atrl l(in- $ea$ in a+illa-e "treet< 'r$ere$ their en t li!i$ate the whle 77!latin # the +illa-e'

The ra7i$it( # the 1"t U9rainian Frnt'" a$+an4e 4reate$ it" wn 7rle" #r the S+ieta!thritie" N6% ri#le re-ient" #r the re7re""in # rear area" were "etie" thrwnint attle a-ain"t (7a""e$ Geran !nit" The( ha$ t rer-anie ra7i$l(< in "e 4a"e"e+en ha+in- t re#er t the Re$ Ar( in"tr!4tin 9 In the hea$ln- a$+an4e< General6ar7+< the 4an$er # the N6% ri#le $i+i"in #llwin- the #i-htin- tr7"


50/323


51/323

whi4h 4ntaine$ a a( #ren t $eath< ther" "ittin- in the "nw< 7r77e$ a-ain"t a tree( the "i$e # the ra$< with l$er 4hil$ren "tan$in- near( whi7erin- in #ear< nt9nwin- whether their ther wa" !n4n"4i!" r $ea$ In that 4l$ it a$e little$i##eren4e

8h!9+'" 1"t Belr!""ian Frnt< eanwhile< ha$ een 7r-re""in- e+en re ra7i$l( init" $ri+e t the nrth>we"t He tl$ hi" tw tan9 arie" t a+i$ area" # re"i"tan4e an$ ta$+an4e etween "e+ent( an$ 155 9iletre" a $a( Yet n 2, =an!ar(< Stalin ran-8h!9+ in the a#ternn t tell hi t rein in '*hen (! rea4h the O$eratta49 n 8h!9+'" ri-ht #lan9 #r Geran tr7" aln- the Peranian 4a"tline< whate4ae 9nwn a" the 'Balti4 al4n(' 8h!9+ e--e$ Stalin t let hi 4ntin!e I# hewaite$ anther ten $a(" #r R9""+"9( t #ini"h in Ea"t Pr!""ia< that w!l$ -i+e the

Geran" tie t an the Me"erit #rti#ie$ line Stalin a-ree$ with -reat rel!4tan4e

8h!9+'" arie" were 4r""in- the re-in the Nai" ha$ 4alle$ the *arthelan$< the area# we"tern Plan$ whi4h the( ha$ "eie$ a#ter their in+a"in in 1& It" Ga!leiter#ee$ the

a( e4a!"e it w!l$ nt "t7 4r(in- All thi" wa" ta9in- 7la4e neDt t a hea$!arter"an$ in the #!ll "i-ht # ##i4er" "!77"e$l( re"7n"ile #r $i"4i7line

On T!e"$a( &5 =an!ar(< the $a( that Hitler a$$re""e$ the Geran 7e7le #r the la"ttie< the Geran ar( "!$$enl( realie$ that the threat t Berlin wa" e+en -reater thanthe( ha$ #eare$ 8h!9+'" lea$in- !nit" ha$ nt nl( 7enetrate$ the Me"erit $e#en4ene with ea"e< the( were within "tri9in- $i"tan4e # the O$er At /&5 a< thehea$!arter" # Ar( Gr!7 %i"t!la hear$ that the Lan$"er- ra$ wa" '#!ll # ene(tan9"' Air re4nnai""an4e #li-ht" were "4rale$

Hiler in"i"te$ n "en$in- a attalin # Ti-er tan9" all n it" wn ( train t re"tre

the "it!atin Hi" "ta##'" 7rte"t" ha$ n e##e4t e4a!"e the Rei4h"#:hrer SS wa" #irl(4n+in4e$ that a attalin # Ti-er" 4!l$ $e#eat a whle S+iet tan9 ar( The #i#t(>tnn"ter" were "till #a"tene$ t their railwa( #lat 4ar" when the( 4ae !n$er #ire #rthree r #!r S+iet tan9" The attalin "!##ere$ hea+( l""e" e#re the train ana-e$t with$raw !r-entl( twar$" 6:"trin Hiler wante$ the attalin 4an$er 4!rt>artialle$ !ntil he wa" e+ent!all( 7er"!a$e$ that a Ti-er tan9 #a"tene$ t a railwa(wa-n wa" nt in the e"t 7"itin t #i-ht !rin- thi" tie # eDtree 4ri"i"< Hileriitate$ Stalin'" 'Nt ne "te7 a49' r$er # 1)2< e+en i# hi" +er"in $i$ nt ha+e the "arin- It wa" entitle$ ' 2od und Strafe f"r *flichtvergessenheif> 'eath an$ 7!ni"hent #r#ail!re t 4arr( !t ne'" $!t(' It trie$ t en$ n !7li#tin- nte 'A#ter har$ trial" la"tin-"e+eral wee9" the $a( will 4e he 4laie$< 'when Geran territrie" will e #ree a-ain'Anther r$er #ra$e wen n 7ain # "e+ere 7!ni"hent t -i+e an( #$ tretreatin- tr7" An$ in an r$er # the $a( t Ar( Gr!7 %i"t!la he $e4lare$< 'TheLr$ G$ ha" ne+er #r"a9en !r 7e7le an$ he ha" alwa(" hel7e$ the ra+e in their h!r# -reate"t nee$' Bth hi"tri4all( an$ thel-i4all(< thi" wa" an eDtreel( $!i!"a""ertin

Hiler< aware that wr$ wa" "7rea$in- #a"t # the #li-ht # "enir Nai ##i4ial"4ntrlle$ Free Geran(+eent ha$ e4e i7""ile 'The Nai" in thi" atter are re 7"iti+e than weareNai Geran 7ri"ner" # war t "tart a re+l!tin within the Rei4h


56/323

On the "ae $a(< 3!"t "!th # 6:"trin< the e!llient Clnel G!"a9+"9( 4r""e$ theO$er with hi" ))th G!ar$" Tan9 Bri-a$e< #rin- anther ri$-ehea$ He th!" wn hi""e4n$ -l$ "tar # Her # the S+iet Unin S+iet tr7" n th ri$-ehea$"ie$iatel( e-an $i--in- tren4he" in the #ren ar"h( -r!n$ # the O$err!4h< theO$er #l$ 7lain etween the ri+er an$ the Seelw Hei-ht" Artiller( re-ient" were

r!"he$ #rwar$ t -i+e the "!77rt The( eD7e4te$ a ra7i$ an$ #!ri!" 4!nter>atta49*!l# #i-hter"< hwe+er< were in a4tin +er the O$er the#llwin- rnin-< "tra#in- the #re"hl( $!- tren4he" an$ anti>tan9 -!n 7"itin" TheS+iet anti>air4ra#t $i+i"in whi4h ha$ een 7ri"e$ $i$ nt t!rn !7 #r three re $a("ta9er" n the train #r Ea"t Pr!""ia< wa" en3(in- hi" la"t $a(" at he in the"all +illa-e # B!4h":hlenwe-< etween 6:"trin an$ Fran9#!rt an $er O$er'Ha77ine"" in the " # the #ail( $i$ nt la"t ln-


57/323

$elierate ai The !nit 4an$er #ell with a !llet thr!-h the hea$ Onl( a han$#!l #the "l$ier" ret!rne$ ali+e

Beier ana-e$ t "li7 a49 t hi" 7arent"' h!"e He #!n$ that a $re""in- "tatin ha$een "et !7 in the 4ellar an$ all their "heet" were ein- trn !7 #r an$a-e"

Mre wei-ht( rein#r4eent" arri+e$ t atta49 the ri$-ehea$ a" Ch!i9+'" en 7!"he$#rwar$ t "eie the Reitwein S7!r< a 4an$in- #eat!re whi4h l9e$ !7 the whleO$err!4h an$ a4r"" t the Seelw Hei-ht" n it" we"tern e$-e On 2 Fer!ar( the,5.th SS Hea+( Mrtar Battalin +e$ nrth t the e$-e # the ri$-ehea$ an$ in three$a(" an$ ni-ht" it #ire$ 1)har$ene$ +eteran" He4alle$ n the t +l!nteer an$ (elle$ the SS tt $e+i"e$ ( Hiler at the@'4nsere 5hre heisst 2reue6 Kameraden!'> 'O!r hn!r i" 4alle$ l(alt('

S!4h #anati4i" wa" e4in- rare< a" "enir eer" # the SS re4-nie$ with alarOn 12 Fer!ar(< Oer-r!77en#:hrer Ber-er re7rte$ t Hiler that the r-aniatinwa" e4in- thr!-hl( $i"li9e$ th ( the 4i+il 77!latin an$ ( the ar(< whi4h"trn-l( re"ente$ it" 'ar9e$ !n4ra$el( attit!$e' The ar(< he 4n4l!$e$< wa" 'n

ln-er n "7ea9in- ter" with the SS'

E+en SS +l!nteer" #elt enth!"ia" $i""l+in- when the( rea4he$ the O$err!4h< a$rear( eD7an"e # waterl--e$ #iel$" an$ $(9e" '*e're at the en$ # the wrl$;' ne #the -r!7 earar9e$ #r the &5-anuarann!n4e$ The( were e+en re $i"7irite$ t#in$ that thi" new #ratin ha$ n tan9" r a""a!lt -!n" 'Thi" i" n $i+i"in


58/323

e"tali"he$ in a re!i"itine$ #arh!"e The (!n- wi#e # a #arer< wh wa" "er+in-"ewhere el"e< wat4he$ in a $ae a" their #!rnit!re wa" anhan$le$ !t # the 7arl!ran$ #iel$ tele7hne" an$ t(7ewriter" were in"talle$ The new inhaitant" "n $i"4+ere$r# # the #arh!"e 7r+i$e$ a 4learl( +i"ile tar-et #r S+ietartiller(

Ba!-art #!n$ hi"el# h!n4he$ +er ne # the t(7ewriter"< a"hin- !t re7rt" #inter+iew" with three Re$ Ar( $e"erter" The( ha$ a77arentl( $e4i$e$ t 4r"" t theGeran line" a#ter ein- a$e t wa$e thr!-h the i4( water" # the O$er< 4arr(in- their$i+i"inal 4an$er n their "h!l$er" t 9ee7 hi $r( The %l-a Geran inter7reter"at $i+i"inal hea$!arter" later rea$ !t arti4le" #r 4a7t!re$ 47ie" #*ravda The4!ni!e 7!li"he$ at the en$ # the Yalta 4n#eren4e $e"4rie$ what the allie"inten$e$ t $ with Geran( The i$ea # $e#eat a77alle$ Ba!-art an$ hi" 4ra$e"'*e "i7l( ha+e t win in the en$;' the( "ai$ t the"el+e"

On Fer!ar( 1),< the anti>S+iet rene-a$e General An$re( %la"+< with Hiler'"

en4!ra-eent< threw hi" hea$!arter" "e4!rit( attalin int the ri$-ehea$ attle Thi"R!""ian attalin< a" 7art # the17eritzi+i"in< atta49e$ the S+iet 2&th Ri#lei+i"in in the ri$-ehea$ 3!"t nrth # 6:"trin %la"+'" -!ar$ attalin #!-ht well!arter4at "7e4iali"t" The( were "!77"e$l( -i+en the ni49nae '*anzerknacker'(a$irin- Geran !nit"< !t thi" a( well ha+e een the t!4h # a 77!lar 3!rnali"tt!rne$ 7r7a-an$i"t Their 4an$er< Clnel 8a9har+< an$ #!r en re4ei+e$ theIrn Cr"" "e4n$ 4la""< an$ the Rei4h"#:hrer S S hi"el# "ent a e""a-e t 4n-rat!late%la"+ 'with 4ra$el( -reetin-"' n the #a4t that hi" -!ar$ attalin ha$ '#!-ht !ite!t"tan$in-l( well'

S!4h ar9" # #a+!r t th"e wh ha$ 7re+i!"l( een 4ate-rie$ an$ treate$ a"4ntermenschenwa" a -$ in$i4atin # Nai $e"7eratin< e+en i# Hitler hi"el# "till$i"a77r+e$ On 12 Fer!ar(< Geel" re4ei+e$ a $ele-atin # C""a49" 'a" the #ir"t+l!nteer" n !r "i$e in the attle a-ain"t Bl"he+i"' The( were e+en treate$ t attle # 'eissier'in hi" ##i4e" Geel" 7rai"e$ the C""a49"< 4allin- the 'a#ree$>l+in- 7e7le # warrir>#arer"' Un#rt!natel(< their #ree$>l+in- wa(" innrth Ital( r!-ht t Berlin itter 47laint" a!t their treatent # the 77!latin inthe Fri!li $i"tri4t #r the Geran a$+i"er #r 4i+il a##air" The C""a49"< hwe+er"!n$in- r-aniatin #r $e"tr(in- tan9" #aile$ t li+e !7 t it" title It4n"i"te$ # i4(4le 47anie" ainl( #r the Hitler Y!th Ea4h i4(4li"t wa" t 4arr(tw 7aner#a!"t anti>tan9 la!n4her" 4la7e$ !7ri-ht either "i$e # the #rnt wheel an$atta4he$ t the han$lear" The i4(4li"t wa" "!77"e$ t e ale t $i"!nt in a


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ent an$ e rea$( #r a4tin a-ain"t a T>&) r Stalin tan9 E+en the =a7ane"e $i$ nteD7e4t their 9ai9ae" t ri$e int attle n a i4(4le

Hiler tal9e$ a!t the 7aner#a!"t a" i# it were anther ira4le wea7n< a9in t the %>2 He enth!"e$ a!t hw wn$er#!l it wa" #r 4l"e>!arter #i-htin- a-ain"t tan9"< !t

an( "ane "l$ier -i+en the 4hi4e w!l$ ha+e 7re#erre$ an 00 -!n t ta9e n S+iettan9" at a $i"tan4e # hal# a 9iletre Hiler wa" al"t a77le4ti4 a!t r!!r" thatthe 7aner#a!"t 4!l$ nt 7enetrate ene( ar!r S!4h a "tr(< he a""erte$< wa" 'einasoluter Sch(indel'3

*ith the ene( " 4l"e< it a77ear" that the Nai lea$er"hi7 ha$ "tarte$ t 4n"i$er the7""iilit( # "!i4i$e The hea$!arter" # Ga! Berlin i""!e$ an r$er that '7liti4allea$er"' were t re4ei+e t7 7ririt( #r #irear" 4erti#i4ate" An$ a "enir eDe4!ti+e in a7hara4e!ti4al 47an( tl$ Ur"!la +n 6ar$r## an$ a #rien$ # her" that a 'Gl$enPhea"ant' ha$ a77eare$ in hi" laratr( $ean$in- a "!77l( # 7i"n #r the Rei4hChan4eller(

Hitler an$ hi" a""4iate" nw #inall( #!n$ the"el+e" 4l"er t the +er( +ilen4e # warwhi4h the( ha$ !nlea"he$ Re+en-e #r the re4ent eDe4!tin" # en a""4iate$ with the=!l( 7lt arri+e$ in !neD7e4te$ #r le"" than tw wee9" a#ter the e+ent On the rnin-# & Fer!ar(< there were eD4e7tinall( hea+( US Air Fr4e rai$" n Berlin Se &Alre4ht"tra""e an$ thePe7le'" C!rt were a$l( $aa-e$ Rlan$ Frei"ler< the Pre"i$ent # the Pe7le'" C!rt 7art" were in Prin4e %rnt"+'" Ca"tle # Al!79a< an


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eDtra+a-ant i$>nineteenth>4ent!r( iDt!re # Mri"h an$ S4tti"h arnial Pre"i$entR"e+elt< t "a+e hi an( re 3!rne("< wa" in"talle$ in the Li+a$ia Pala4e< where theain $i"4!""in" were t ta9e 7la4e S !4h ha$ een wre49e$ $!rin- the #i-htin- inthe Criea an$ the Geran with$rawal that a3r wr9"< in4l!$in- 47letere7l!in-< ha$ een 4arrie$ !t at -reat "7ee$ ( the S+iet a!thritie" t a9e the"e

7ala4e" haitale Ai$ the terrile war $aa-e< n e##rt" were "7are$ t entertain their-!e"t" with an!et" # 4a+iare an$ Ca!4a"ian 4ha7a-ne Ch!r4hill 4!l$ nt re"i"t4allin- thi" 4a"t # -h"tl( "!er 7ala4e" the 'Ri+iera # Ha$e"' Nt e+en he "!"7e4te$that all their r" ha$ een !--e$ The N6% ha$ al" 7"itine$ $ire4tinali4r7hne" t 4+er the -ar$en"

Stalin +i"ite$ Ch!r4hill that a#ternn< 9een t 4n+e( the i7re""in that the Re$ Ar(4!l$ e in Berlin in n tie He then 7ai$ hi" re"7e4t" t Pre"i$ent R"e+elt *ithR"e+elt< hi" anner e4ae al"t $e#erential an$ hi" +er"in # e+ent" 4han-e$47letel( Stalin nw e7ha"ie$ the "tren-th # Geran re"i"tan4e an$ the $i##i4!lt(# 4r""in- the Ri+er O$er R"e+elt wa" 4ertain that he< nt Ch!r4hill< 9new hw t

han$le the S+iet lea$er an$ Stalin 7la(e$ !7 t thi" R"e+elt elie+e$ that it wa" 3!"t aatter # winnin- Stalin'" tr!"t< "ethin- whi4h Ch!r4hill 4!l$ ne+er $ He e+ena$itte$ 7enl( hi" $i"a-reeent" with the Briti"h +er the "trate-( #r the in+a"in #Geran( *hen he "!--e"te$ that Ei"enhwer "h!l$ ha+e $ire4t 4nta4t with theStavka< Stalin en4!ra-e$ the i$ea warl( The S+iet lea$er "aw the a$+anta-e" #Aeri4an #ran9ne""< while -i+in- awa( little in ret!rn

Aeri4an lea$er" ha$ anther rea"n #r nt 77"in- Stalin The( $i$ nt (et 9nwwhether the ati4 w!l$ wr9< " the( $e"7eratel( wante$ t rin- Stalin int thewar a-ain"t =a7an It $i$ nt "ee t 44!r t the that it wa" al" +er( !4h t Stalin'"a$+anta-e t 4e in a" a +i4tr t the "7il" a#ter the #i-htin- wa" +irt!all( +er

At the #ir"t "e""in< whi4h e-an "hrtl( a#terwar$"< Stalin -ra4i!"l( 7r7"e$ thatPre"i$ent R"e+elt "h!l$ 4hair the eetin-" The S+iet lea$er wa" wearin- the e$al# Her # the S+iet Unin with hi" !ni#r # Mar"hal # the S+iet Unin The "tri7e$tr!"er" were t!49e$ int t" # "#t Ca!4a"ian leather The"e t" ha$ !ilt>!7 heel"e4a!"e he wa" eDtreel( 4n"4i!" # hi" "hrt "tat!re Stalin al" a+i$e$ ri-ht li-ht"where+er 7""ile e4a!"e the( "hwe$ !7 the 749ar9" n hi" #a4e All ##i4ial7rtrait" were hea+il( ret!4he$ t 4n4eal "!4h i7er#e4tin"

General Antn+< the S+iet 4hie# # "ta##< -a+e an i7re""i+e>"!n$in- a44!nt # the"it!atin< !t th Aeri4an an$ Briti"h 4hie#" # "ta## "en"e$ that it wa" "hrt n $etailThe Briti"h e"7e4iall( #elt that in#ratin etween allie" a77eare$ t e a ne>wa(tra##i4 Antn+ al" 4laie$ that the $ate # their -reat ##en"i+e ha$ een r!-ht#rwar$ t a""i"t the Aeri4an" an$ Briti"h General Mar"hall< #r hi" 7art< !n$erline$ thee##e4t # Allie$ in- n Geran war in$!"tr(< rail 4!ni4atin" an$ #!el "!77lie"#re"t' Pre"!al( it" "ite wa" ar9e$ li9e ther" ( a "ti49 with a "all it # re$ ra-tie$ t it I# re#!n$ ( the 7ineer" re"7n"ile< it w!l$ e re7la4e$ ( a "all w$en7la!e There were t an( $ie" "7rea$ t wi$el( #r re!r(inin 4eeterie"

Re$ Ar( "l$ier" were al" ar9e$ ( their en4!nter" with "la+e wr9er"< atte7tin-t ret!rn he Man( were 7ea"ant wen with 9ntte$ hea$9er4hie#" 4+erin- their#rehea$" an$ wearin- i7r+i"e$ 7!ttee" #r warth Ca7tain A-ranen9< the $raati"tan 4rew !n$er Lie!tenant nal$ Bri$-e< a#ter ein-hel$ #r tw $a("< re!e"te$ 7eri""in t #et4h 7er"nal eln-> in-" #r the air4ra#t

A" "n a" the( were n ar$< the( "tarte$ the en-ine" an$ t9 ##< i-nrin- all "i-nal"t halt 'S+iet En-ineer>Ca7tain Melae$e+< wh a44e7te$ nal$ Bri$-e'" 4rew '"7e4ial$-" #r "ellin- an$it"'< a" the re7rt 7!t it were al" r!-ht in t r!n$ !7 re# the Geran" hi$inin Ea"t Pr!""ian #re"t"

Man( re7rt" a77ear t ha+e een $raatie$ an$ eDa--erate$ ( l4al 4an$er"wantin- t a9e their wr9 "!n$ re i7rtant A re7rt n 4a7t!re$ 'terrri"t"han$e$ +er t SMERSH #r interr-atin' re+eale$ that all the"e 'terrri"t"' were rne#re 155 T"ana+a< the N6% 4hie# # the 2n$ Belr!""ian Frnt< re7rte$ the arre"t# Ulri4h Behr< a Geran rn in 15. 'He 4n#e""e$ !n$er interr-atin that inFer!ar( 1), he wa" en-a-e$ a" a "7( ( a re"i$ent # Geran intelli-en4e< Ha!7tann


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S4hra7 Hi" i""in wa" t "ta( in the rear # the Re$ Ar( t re4r!it a-ent" an$ t 4arr(!t "ata-e< intelli-en4e an$ terrri"ti4 a4ti+itie" F!l#illin- thi" ta"9< Behr re4r!ite$twel+e a-ent"' On a n!er # 44a"in"< "tra--ler" r l4al %l9""t!r "l$ier" were$e"4rie$ a" 'Le#t in the rear ( Geran intelli-en4e with the ta"9 # 4ittin-"ata-e' The "t ri$i4!l!" in4i$ent wa" the '"ata-e # an ele4tri4 7wer line near

Hin$en!r-'< in Sile"ia A#ter a #ear"e "ear4h #r 4!l7rit"< thi" t!rne$ !t t ha+e een4a!"e$ ( Re$ Ar( artiller( 7ra4ti4e Pie4e" # "hra7nel ha$ "e+ere$ the 4ale"

On the ther han$< when the 4hie# # SMERSH with the 2n$ Belr!""ian Frnt 4laie$that hi" en ha$ $i"4+ere$ 'a Geran "ata-e "4hl in the +illa-e # 6+al(w'< hea( ha+e een ri-ht The nae" # th"e traine$ there were all R!""ian r U9rainian TheGeran"< in their $e"7eratin< ha$ een re"rtin- t the !"e # S+iet 7ri"ner" re an$re Man( # the"e R!""ian" an$ U9rainian" ha$ 7ral( +l!nteere$ in the h7e # anea"( wa( he< !t e+en their 7r7t "!rren$er t S+iet ilitar( a!thritie" w!l$ ntha+e "a+e$ the< t 3!$-e ( ther 4a"e"

N6% $eta4hent" "ee t ha+e "7ent re tie "ear4hin- h!"e" an$ arn" than4in- the h!-e area" # #re"t One $eta4hent #!n$ a -r!7 # ei-ht Geran wen"ittin- in a ha( "ta49 'An attenti+e "er-eant' #!n$ that the( were nt wen< !t'Geran "l$ier" wearin- wen'" $re""e"' There were an( re7rt" # thi" nat!re

It a77ear" that Ea"t Pr!""ian 7ea"ant #ailie" were #ten a" nai+e a" their R!""ian4!nter7art" Patrl" n h!"e "ear4he" #!n$ that the inhaitant" 4!l$ nt "t7 -lan4in-at a 7arti4!lar 3e4t r lea+e it alne In ne h!"e< the wan went t "it n a tr!n9The N6% "l$ier" 7!"he$ her a"i$e an$ #!n$ a an hi$$en in the tr!n9 One 7atrlnte$ the wrrie$ -lan4e" # the wner # the h!"e twar$" the e$ The N6% "l$ier"7!lle$ ## the attre"" an$ "aw that the ar$" # the e$ were +er( hi-h The( re+e$

the ar$" an$ #!n$ a an $re""e$ in wen'" 4lthe" In anther h!"e the( #!n$ aan hi$in- !n$er the 4at" n a 4at>"tan$ The an'" #eet were ## the -r!n$ e4a!"ehe ha$ "tr!n- hi"el# !7 with a "tra7 !n$er hi" ar7it" U"!all(< the "t +i!" hi$in-7la4e" were !"e$< "!4h a" "he$"< arn" an$ ha( ri49" Sni##er $-" "n #!n$ the Onl(a #ew 4n"tr!4te$ !n$er-r!n$ re#!-e" Setie" the N6% 7atrl" $i$ nt ther t"ear4h a h!"e The( "et it n #ire< an$ th"e wh were nt !rne$ t $eath were "ht a"the( 3!7e$ #r the win$w"

*hile an( %l9""t!r en wante$ t "ta( near their #ar"< "tra--ler" #r the*ehra4ht were tr(in- t "li7 a49 thr!-h the line" t Geran( In an( 4a"e" the($re""e$ the"el+e" in Re$ Ar( !ni#r" ta9en #r "l$ier" the( ha$ 9ille$ I# 4a!-ht r!""ian Frnt an$ #rerl( the N6%4an$er at Stalin-ra$< $i"4+ere$ 'that in "e N6% !nit" a a3rit( # ##i4er"an$ "l$ier" are nt en-a-e$ in their $!t(< !t are a4ti+e in the 4lle4tin # lte$7r7ert( It wa" e"tali"he$ that lte$ 7r7ert( wa" "hare$ !t within the re-ient"

with!t the 9nwle$-e # $i+i"in "ta## In the re-ient" there are 4a"e" # "ellin- an$arterin- lte$ 7r$!4t"< "!-ar< ta44< wine an$ -a"line ta9en #r $ri+er" with thea$+an4in- !nit" # the Re$ Ar(< an$ tr4(4le" S!4h a "it!atin in the N6%re-ient" an$ a"en4e # $i"4i7line ha" le$ t a "har7 in4rea"e in eDtrar$inar( e+ent"There are "l$ier" wh $ their $!t(< an$ then there are the ther" wh are $in- nthin-!t lt The lter" "h!l$ nw e 7!t t wr9 aln- with th"e wh $ their $!t(' Ita77ear" that there wa" n !e"tin # 7!ni"hin- the< an$ the 7hra"e 'with!t the9nwle$-e # $i+i"in "ta##' i" "t re+ealin- i+i"inal hea$!arter" wa" !tra-e$7re"!al( e4a!"e it ha$ $i"4+ere$ that it wa" nt re4ei+init" "hare # the 7r4ee$"

There 4an e little $!t that the Re$ Ar( re"ente$ the 'rear rat"' in the N6%< !t the

#eelin- ran th wa(" The N6% $i$ nt a77re4iate ha+in- t $eal with a!nitin an$wea7n" aan$ne$ ( Geran" an$ a$+an4in- !nit" # Re$ Ar( 'All thi" lea$" ta""i+e "tealin- ( an$it" an$ the l4al 77!latin It ha" een nti4e$ that a$le"4ent"-et hl$ # the"e wea7n" an$ r-anie are$ -r!7" an$ terrrie the 77!latin Thi"4reate" #a+!rale 4n$itin" #r the -rwth # an$itr(' An r$er wa" al" i""!e$#ri$$in- the !"e # -rena$e" #r #i"hin-< a 77!lar "7rt an- Re$ Ar( en in thean( la9e" # Ea"t Pr!""ia an$ Plan$

N6% ri#le re-ient" ha$ t $eal nt nl( with Geran "tra--ler" an$ %l9""t!rli+in- li9e !tlaw" in the #re"t"< !t al" with -r!7" # Re$ Ar( $e"erter" On /Mar4h< a -r!7 # '#i#teen are$ $e"erter"' a!"he$ an N6% 7atrl # the 2n$

Belr!""ian Frnt near the +illa-e # ert Anther -r!7 # ei-ht wa" al" li+inin the#re"t near( All ha$ $e"erte$ at the en$ # e4eer 1)) Tw $a(" later< the N6%re7rte$ '#in$in- re $e"erter" tra+ellin- awa( #r the #rnt in the rear area"' Anther'an$it -r!7' # $e"erter" #r the &r$ Ar(< le$ ( a U9rainian 4a7tain an$ Part(eer with the r$er # the Re$ Banner< wh ha$ $e"erte$ #r h"7ital n . Mar4ha4hine -!n" an$7i"tl"< wa" eDtreel( iDe$ It in4l!$e$ en #r T!la< S+er$l+"9< %rneh an$ theU9raine< a" well a" a Ple< three Geran wen an$ anther Geran an #r theOrtel"!r- $i"tri4t

M"t $e"erter"< hwe+er< e"7e4iall( Belr!""ian" an$ U9rainian"< an( # wh were47te$ Ple"< trie$ t "nea9 he in ne" an$ tw" Se $re""e$ !7 a" wen Other"an$a-e$ the"el+e" !7< then went t railhea$" an$ "tle the $4!ent" # w!n$e$en A new "7e4ial 7a"" #r w!n$e$ en ha$ t e r!-ht in t "t7 thi" Setie"en "i7l( $i"a77eare$< an$ n$( 9new whether the( ha$ $e"erte$ r een 9ille$ inattle On 2/ =an!ar(< tw T>&) tan9" #r the .th G!ar$" Tan9 Cr7" in Ea"t Pr!""iale#t n an 7eratin an$ neither the tan9" nr the "iDteen tan9i"t" an$ in#antr(en withthe were e+er "een a-ain< $ea$ r ali+e


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In "7ite # the lar-e n!er" # N6% tr7" in the rear area"< there wa" a"tni"hin-l(little 4ntrl +er Re$ Ar( 7er"nnel 'The S+iet ilitar( lea$er"hi7a4hine -!n" in the air On ne 44a"in ehin$

the 2n$ Belr!""ian Frnt< a (!n- wan tra##i4 4ntrller 4alle$ L($ia ran !7 t the$ri+er'" win$w # a +ehi4le whi4h ha$ l49e$ the ra$ She e-an t (ell "4enitie" athi Thi" ha$ little e##e4t O"4enitie" were (elle$ a49 at her B!t then "he re4ei+e$!neD7e4te$ rein#r4eent" in the tall an$ i7re""i+e #r # Mar"hal R9""+"9(< whha$ lea7e$ #r hi" "ta## 4ar< $rawin- hi" 7i"tl in an-er *hen the $ri+er "aw thear"hal he wa" literall( 7aral("e$ with #ear Hi" ##i4er l"t hi" hea$ 47letel( He3!7e$ !t # the 4a an$ ran int the !"he" t hi$e

The entr( # S+iet #r4e" int Geran territr( eant that Stalin'" 7lan" t #r4eGeran" t wr9 #r the S+iet Unin 4!l$ e 7!t int a4tin On . Fer!ar( an r$erwa" i""!e$ t 'ilie all Geran" #it #r wr9 #r "e+enteen t #i#t( (ear" # a-e an$

t #r la!r attalin" # 1Geran< 'T Sieria< #!49 (!;'

B( 15 A7ril< the 7r7rtin "ent a49 t the S+iet Unin #r #r4e$ la!r in4rea"e$ra7i$l(< with ,


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t aan$n the alt-ether Their li#e ahea$ wa" nt "i7l( ne # "!3e4tin t har$la!r< !t al" t 4a"!al ra7e ( -!ar$"< with +enereal in#e4tin" a" a (>7r$!4tAnther 25 "7rea$' Fr th"e wh $i$ nt ha+e a 7i"tl

r 7i"n< "t # the "!i4i$e" 4n"i"te$ # 7e7le han-in- the"el+e" in atti4" with ther7e tie$ t the ra#ter" A n!er # wen< !nale t rin- the"el+e" t han- a 4hil$7arti"an '"e4!rit( $eta4hent"' an$ e+en the !n#rt!nate 'Hiwi"' "hrt#rHilfsfrei(illige< r +l!nteer hel7er" were all tarre$ with the "ae r!"h

E"tiate" #r all 4ate-rie" ran-e etween 1 illin an$ 1, illn en Re$ Ar(a!thritie" in"i"te$ that there ha$ een +er a illin Hiwi" "er+inin the *ehra4htTh"e ta9en< r wh "!rren$ere$ +l!ntaril(< were #re!entl( "ht n the "7t r "na#terwar$" ' Vlasovtsyan$ ther a447li4e" # the Nai" were !"!all( eDe4!te$ n the"7t-an-e$ r "tar+e$ int "!i""in O# the 4ate-rie" inetween< an( wh "er+e$ in SS r Geran ar( !nit" were natinali"t"< whetherU9rainian"< Bait"< C""a49" r Ca!4a"ian"< all # wh hate$ S+iet r!le #r M"4wSe Vlasovtsyha$ ha$ n 47!n4tin a!t 3inin- their #rer ene( e4a!"e the(ha$ nt #r-i+en the aritrar( eDe4!tin" # #rien$" ( Re$ Ar( ##i4er" an$ l49in-$eta4hent" $!rin- 1)1 an$ 1)2 Other" were 7ea"ant" wh lathe$ #r4e$4lle4ti+iatin Yet an( # the r$inar( %la"+ "l$ier" an$ Hiwi" were #teneDtrar$inaril( nai+e an$ ill>in#re$ A R!""ian inter7reter in a Geran 7ri"ner>#>war4a7 re4!nte$ hw< at ne 7r7a-an$a eetin- t re4r!it +l!nteer" #r %la"+'" ar(


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a R!""ian 7ri"ner 7!t !7 hi" han$ an$ "ai$< 'Cra$e Pre"i$ent< we w!l$ li9e t 9nwhw an( 4i-arette" ne i" -i+en 7er $a( in the %la"+ ar(' E+i$entl( #r an(< anar( wa" 3!"t an ar( *hat $i##eren4e $i$ it a9e wh"e !ni#r (! wre< e"7e4iall(i# (! were #e$< in"tea$ # ein- "tar+e$ an$ altreate$ in a 4a7 All # th"e wh#llwe$ that r!te were t "!##er #ar re than the( ha$ e+er ia-ine$ E+en th"e wh

"!r+i+e$ #i#teen r twent( (ear" in the G!la- a#ter the war reaine$ ar9e$ en Th"eth!-ht t ha+e 47erate$ with the ene( $i$ nt ha+e their 4i+i4 ri-ht" re"tre$ !ntilthe #i#tieth anni+er"ar( # the +i4tr( in 1,

Letter" were #!n$ n R!""ian 7ri"ner" # war wh ha$ "er+e$ in the Geran Ar(lea# trn #r aGeran 9 'Cra$e "l$ier"#lan9 arie" an$ R9""+"9('" le#t #lan9 #r4e$ nrthwar$" twar$" the Balti4 t"7lit Perania in tw

The "t +!lnerale Geran #ratin wa" the Se4n$ Ar( It "till 3!"t ana-e$ t9ee7 7en the la"t lan$ r!te #r Ea"t Pr!""ia aln- the Fri"4he Nehr!n- "an$ar t the%i"t!la e"t!ar( The Se4n$ Ar(< with it" le#t #lan9 3!"t a4r"" the N-at in Elin- an$aintainin- a #thl$ in the Te!tni4 6ni-ht"' 4a"tle # Marien!r-< wa" the "t+er"tret4he$ # all Ar( Gr!7 %i"t!la

R9""+"9('" atta49 e-an n 2) Fer!ar( The 1th Ar( a$+an4e$ nrth>we"twar$"twar$" the area etween Ne!"tettin an$ Bal$en!r-< !t it" tr7" were "ha9en ( the#er4it( # the #i-htin- an$ it #altere$ R9""+"9( "a49e$ the ar( 4an$er< 7!"he$a tan9 4r7" int the atta49 a" well< an$ #r4e$ the n The 4inatin # the tan94r7" an$ the 2n$ an$ &r$ G!ar$" Ca+alr( Cr7" le$ t the ra7i$ #all # Ne!"tettin< the'4rner"tne' # the Peranian $e#en4e line

S+iet 4a+alr( 7la(e$ a "!44e""#!l 7art in the re$!4tin # Perania The( 4a7t!re$"e+eral twn" n their wn< "!4h a" the "ea"i$e twn # Lea< ainl( ( "!r7ri"e The2n$ G!ar$" Ca+alr( Cr7"< whi4h #re$ the eDtree ri-ht # 8h!9+'" 1"t Belr!""ian


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Frnt< wa" 4an$e$ ( Lie!tenant General %la$iir %i9tr+i4h 6r(!9+< are"!r4e#!l lea$er arrie$ t R!""ia'" #a+!rite #l9>"in-er< L($ia R!"lan+a

8h!9+'" atta49 nrthwar$" "e #i#t( 9iletre" ea"t # Stettin e-an in earne"t n 1Mar4h Cinin- the &r$ Sh49 Ar( an$ the 1"t an$ 2n$ G!ar$" Tan9 Ar(< it wa" a

#ar "trn-er #r4e The wea9 Geran $i+i"in" $i$ nt "tan$ a 4han4e The lea$in- tan9ri-a$e" $a"he$ ahea$< 4har-in- thr!-h twn" where !n7re7are$ 4i+ilian" "tare$ at thein hrrr The &r$ Sh49 Ar( an$ the 1"t Pli"h Ar( 4in- ehin$ 4n"li$ate$their -ain" On ) Mar4h< the 1"t G!ar$" Tan9 Ar( rea4he$ the Balti4 near 6ler-Clnel Mr-!n+< the 4an$er # the ),th G!ar$" Tan9 Bri-a$e< the #ir"t t rea4hthe "ea< "ent ttle" # "altwater t 8h!9+ an$ t 6at!9+< hi" ar( 4an$er It7r+e$ 6at!9+'" $i4t! 'The "!44e"" # the a$+an4eC!ni"< wa" t #r the la"t $e#en4e # Hitler'"

Chan4eller( in Berlin

Hitler< hwe+er< $en"trate$ "4ant "(7ath( #r the $e#en$er" # hi" Rei4h *hen the4an$er # the Se4n$ Ar(< Clnel General *ei""< warne$ F:hrer hea$!arter"that the Elin- 749et< whi4h ha$ 4"t " !4h l$ alrea$(< 4!l$ nt e hel$ !4hln-er< Hitler "i7l( retrte$< '*ei"" i" a liar< li9e all -eneral"'

The "e4n$ 7ha"e # the Peranian 4a7ai-n e-an al"t ie$iatel(< nl( tw $a("a#ter the 1"t G!ar$" Tan9 Ar( rea4he$ the "ea The 1"t G!ar$" Tan9 Ar( wa"tran"#erre$ te7raril( t R9""+"9( 8h!9+ tele7hne$ hi t "a( that he wante$6at!9+'" ar( 'ret!rne$ in the "ae "tate a" (! re4ei+e$ it' The 7eratin 4n"i"te$ #a lar-e< le#t>#lan9in- wheel t rll !7 ea"tern Perania an$ ani- #r the we"t< whileR9""+"9('" "trn-e"t #ratin< the 2n$ Sh49 Ar(< atta49e$ !7 #r the "!th 'the anr #l9'< a" the +illa-er" 4alle$ the > 9new that the( werethe "t li9el( t e "ht< an$ their tenant" !r-e$ the t lea+e #r their wn -$Carria-e" an$ 4art" were 7re7are$ Near Stl7< Li!""a +n Ol$er"ha!"en< the"te7$a!-hter # Barn =e"9 +n P!tt9aer< wh ha$ re#!"e$ t "a4ri#i4e the l4al%l9""t!r at S4hnei$e:hl< wa" nine nth" 7re-nant The e"tate 4ar7enter !ilt awa-n #rae +er whi4h the lar-e 4ar7et #r the lirar( wa" #a"tene$ t 7r+i$e "helter#r the "nw The eD7e4tant ther w!l$ lie in"i$e n a attre""

In the earl( h!r" # 0 Mar4h< Li!""a wa" w9en ( a 7!n$in- n the $r 'Tre9r$er";' "e$( "h!te$ 'Get !7; H!rr(; *e're lea+in- a" "n a" 7""ile' She$re""e$ a" !i49l( a" "he 4!l$ an$ 7a49e$ her 3ewel" The anr h!"e wa" alrea$( #!ll

# re#!-ee" an$ "e # the e-an t lt the r" e+en e#re the #ail( ha$ le#t A"an( Peranian an$ Ea"t Pr!""ian #ailie" #!n$< their Fren4h 7ri"ner>#>warla!rer" in"i"te$ n 4in- with the rather than wait ehin$ t e lierate$ ( the Re$Ar( The r!le # artiller( #ire 4!l$ e hear$ in the $i"tan4e a" the( 4lie$ int the4n+erte$ 4art an$ ther hr"e>$rawn +ehi4le" The( hea$e$ ea"t #r ani- B!t e+enwith a hea$"tart< their hr"e>$rawn 4art" were !t7a4e$ in a #ew $a(" ( 6at!9+'" tan9ri-a$e"


89/323

Li!""a aw9e in the i$$le # the ni-ht a#ter the( ha$ hear$ that the( w!l$ nt rea4h"a#et( in tie B( the li-ht # a 4an$le>"t!7< "he "aw that her "te7#ather ha$ 7!t n hi"!ni#r an$ e$al" Her ther wa" al" $re""e$ Sin4e the Re$ Ar( wa" !n$ t 4!tthe ##< the( ha$ $e4i$e$ t 4it "!i4i$e Neer"$r# an$ re4ent atr4it( tale"#r Ea"t Pr!""ia ha$ 4n+in4e$ the that the( "h!l$ nt e ta9en ali+e 'It'" tie4n"er+ati+e wh 7enl( $e"7i"e$ the 'raune ande' #Nai" Hitler a"9e$ G!$erian t rie# hi n the "it!atin in anDi- On4e that wa"47lete$< Hitler tl$ Sa!49en that he !"t ta9e hi" r$er" #r the Ga!leiter< AlertFr"ter General +n Sa!49en "tare$ a49 at Hitler 'I ha+e n intentin


90/323

7la4in- ("el# !n$er the r$er" # a Ga!leiter' Nt nl( ha$ Sa!49en #latl( 4ntra$i4te$Hitler< he ha$ #aile$ t a$$re"" hi a" ':ein #uhrer' E+en G!$erian< wh ha$ eenthr!-h re rw" with Hitler than "t 7e7le< wa" "ha9en Yet nl9er" were e+enre "!r7ri"e$ ( Hitler'" a4!ie"4en4e 'All ri-ht< Sa!49enen$in- rai$" ( S+iet a+iatin

Fi-hter er" "tra#e$ the twn" an$ the 7rt area" S+iet Sht!r+i9" treate$ 4i+ilianan$ ilitar( tar-et" ali9e A 4h!r4h wa" a" -$ a" a !n9er< e"7e4iall( when it "eee$a" i# the 3e4ti+e wa" t #latten e+er( !il$in- whi4h "till 7rtr!$e$ 4n"7i4!!"l( a+ethe -r!n$

*!n$e$ waitin- n the !a(" t e ear9e$ were ri$$le$ n their "tret4her" Ten" #

th!"an$" # wen an$ 4hil$ren< terri#ie$ # l"in- their 7la4e" in the !e!e" t e"4a7e ret!rne$ in a 4n"tant "h!ttle t "nat4h the 4i+ilian" an$w!n$e$ t #err( the a4r"" t the "all 7rt # Hela at the ti7 # the near( 7enin"!lae"tr(er" ##"hre -a+e the "all at" a" !4h anti>air4ra#t 4+erin- #ire a" 7""ileThe "ailr" har$l( e+er #altere$< e+en th!-h a near i"" wa" en!-h t +ert!rn "e #the "aller 4ra#t On 2, Mar4h< a (!n- wan #r the Pli"h re"i"tan4e r!-htGeneral 6at!9+ a 7lan # the G$(nia $e#en4e "("te At #ir"t he th!-ht it i-ht e atri49< !t it 7r+e$ t e a!the