Moscow. May 2. INTERFAX.RU — New declassified documents on the Soviet army capture of Berlin in 1945, published by the Russian Ministry of defense, reports the Agency.
Berlin offensive began on 16 April 1945 with the goal to defeat the main forces of German army group “Vistula” and “Center” to capture the capital of the Third Reich, to reach the Elbe river and connect with the allied forces. 2 may 1945 the Red Army after fierce fighting stormed the capital of Nazi Germany — Berlin.
those Interested can read the report on Berlin operations commander of the 1st Belorussian front, Georgy Zhukov to Joseph Stalin, combat report of the commander of the troops of the 1st Ukrainian front Marshal Ivan Konev.
On the website of the Ministry of defense of Russia also issued an order to the commander of the defense and the last commandant of Berlin, General of artillery Helmuth of Weidling, in which he called for German troops defending the city, immediately stop the resistance.
Part of the declassified documents for the establishment of peaceful life in the German capital, the civilian population with food, medical care, clearance of streets, capture of protected German cultural property. Published and order no 1 of commander of the 5th shock army Colonel General Nikolay Berzarina following his appointment as military commandant of Berlin. In this civilian population to guarantee the safety and life.
“in addition, efforts were made to search and discovery of the paintings of world famous artists from the Dresden gallery, exhibits and collections scientific-historical the value of the natural history Museum. Thanks to the hard work of Soviet soldiers were found paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, van Dyck and other great masters”, — said the Russian defense Ministry.
