the Russian defense Ministry has published on its website a large batch of documents and photos telling about the capture of Berlin 2 may 1945. The assault on Berlin began on April 20. The attack led the 1st Belorussian front under Marshal Zhukov, and the 1st Ukrainian front under Marshal Ivan Konev.
fighting in the city was fierce. Storm had to take every street and house. The elimination of Nazi troops lasted until 2 may. The Nazis stubbornly resisted. Especially in the area of the Reichstag, which was defended by elite units of the SS.
on the night of April 28 in the area of the Reichstag threw out a parachute battalion of Marines. In total, the Reichstag defended to thousands of people. At 14:25 on 30 April over the Reichstag was hoisted a red flag. But fighting continued inside the building before may 1, and in the cellars until may 2.
the defense Ministry of the Russian Federation published the order of the commander of Berlin’s defense of General Helmuth of Weidling calling for troops to cease resistance. “On 30 April 1945, the führer committed suicide, – said in the order. – …The lack of heavy weapons, ammunition and your position make this fight pointless… prolongs the terrible suffering of the civil population of Berlin and of our wounded. Anyone who falls in the fight for Berlin will bring a vain sacrifice.”
In Berlin on may 2nd, surrendered 34 thousand soldiers and officers of the Wehrmacht.
the Soviet command after the capture of Berlin was to solve the problem of food security of the two million population of the city. Was determined food allotments, rationing.
the Soviet army has allocated 105 thousand tons, 18 thousand tons of meat, 4.5 thousand tons of fat and 6 thousand tons of sugar. For one resident of Berlin in a week were allocated to 3 kg of grain, 0.5 kg of meat, almost 1.5 kg of sugar, 350 grams of coffee beans and also veggies and dairy products. For children under 8 years daily allocated 70 thousand liters of milk.
After the organization in Berlin, the Soviet commandant to supply residents received 96 thousand tons of grain, 60 tons of potatoes, about 50 thousand head of cattle, as well as sugar, fats and other products.
In the battle of Berlin killed thousands of Soviet soldiers and officers. To perpetuate their memory in June 1945, established fraternal cemetery. In Seelowe, Berlin, Brandenburg, Rathenow, Saliba, Lenhausen, Cystine and Kohlberg, it was decided to erect monuments.
