April 1945

Eastern Front

Keitel attempts to organize a counterattck to throw the Russians back from Berlin. He orders Wenck's 12th Army to march east from the elbe to drive the Soviets back but this force is an army in name only.

In Berlin itself are nearly 300,000 German soldiers, all of whom are ordered to fight to the last bullet. Heavy fighting rages as the 8th Guards and 3rd Guards Tank Armies link up, the 1st Belorussian and 1st Ukrainian fronts having joined hands in the southeast suburbs. Around the city the Germans lose Oranienberg, Pulsnitz, Beelitz, Trebbin, Tetlow and Dahlewitz to the Soviet forces.

Frankfurt and Cottbus fall to the 69th ane 3rd Guards Armies respectively. The 4th Panzer Army launches a counterattack with 100 panzers from Bautzen. The 2nd Polish and 52nd Armies are surprised by the German attack and the junction of the 2 forces is severed. Bitter fighting rages throughout the day as the Soviets launch immediate counterattacks.

The 2nd Ukrainian Front begins a new attack upon Brno with the 53rd and 6th Guards Tank Armies. The 8th Army is overwhelmed by the attack and begins to disintegrate.

Goering offers to assume control of the Reich, stating that he will seek peace terms with the west. This comes as a blow to Hitler, Goering having been a loyal servant throughout the 12 years of Nazi power. Betrayed, Hitler orders Goering's arrest and strips him of his offices.