Page 32 - All About History - Issue 186-19

With German forces
decimated, the Hitler Youth
was pressed into action
against the Soviet advance

3x © Getty Images

Nazi propaganda ordered
the People’s Storm to fight Three members of the Third Reich’s
for ‘freedom and life’ last-ditch defence, the Volkssturm
or ‘People’s Storm’, armed with
panzerfaust anti-tank weapons © Alamy

German forces defending
Berlin surrendered to the
Soviets on 2 May 1944

16 APRIL 20 APRIL 21 APRIL 22 APRIL 23 APRIL 24 APRIL
The Soviet advance into Shelling of Berlin starts Lead by Marshal Learning that his plans Soviet forces continue The XII Army attempts
Berlin begins with four and will continue until Zhukov, the 1st cannot be achieved, to tighten their to launch a counter
days of fighting against the city surrenders. Belorussian Front Hitler is said to declare encirclement of Berlin, offensive against the
German defences at It’s also Adolf HItler’s begins to move into the the war lost, but moving further and incoming Soviet forces,
Seelow Heights. One 56th birthday, which he eastern suburbs while commits to remaining further into the suburbs but to little avail. Its
million Soviet soldiers marks in his bunker as Marshal Konev’s 1st in Berlin until the very of the capital and attempts are hindered
eventually overwhelm bombs fall on the city. Ukrainian Front comes end. Stalin issues his cutting off the German by persistent bombing
the German IX Army’s Soviet forces progress in from the north. Hitler final assault orders to IX Army from the city in from the RAF, slowing
110,000 men. as far as the Oder River. plans a response. Zhukov and Konev. the process. their progress.

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