Battle of Berlin if German 9th army retreats to the city

  • Thread starter Deleted member 1487
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Deleted member 1487

There is some controversy around the Battle of Seelowe Heights in 1945, some claiming it was unnecessary, others saying that it was vital to cutting off the German 9th army and wipe it out in the Battle of Halbe, leaving Berlin only defended by leftovers, Volkssturm, police, etc.
What if the German 9th army had been somehow able to avoid encirclement and withdraw into the city? Would they have been that much more capable of defending the city than the historical defenders? When I say successful, I mean inflicting losses on the Soviets and delaying their victory.
 

Wendigo

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According to Wiki within Berlin there were 45,000 soldiers (Heer & SS) plus 40,000 Hitler Youth and Volkssturm.

The 9th Army had 100,000 men and 800 tanks and assault guns.

The battle in Berlin is prolonged for a week, maybe 2. The Red Army suffers tens of thousands more casualties than OTL.
 
I think that by point in the war, German defenders only had 3 options: 1) surrender to the Soviets, 2) surrender to the Western Allies, 3) death in a futile attempt to hold back the Soviets. Even if the 9th Army had been able to make it Berlin (and that's a HUGE if), all they would have done would have delayed the inevitable fall of the city.
 

Deleted member 1487

I think that by point in the war, German defenders only had 3 options: 1) surrender to the Soviets, 2) surrender to the Western Allies, 3) death in a futile attempt to hold back the Soviets. Even if the 9th Army had been able to make it Berlin (and that's a HUGE if), all they would have done would have delayed the inevitable fall of the city.
No one is contesting that. The question is what it worth launching Seelowe to cut off the 9th army as was historically done or entrap them in Berlin and take them out there. Would it have made that big of a deal in terms of casualties fighting for Berlin?
 
The commander of 9th army and AG Oder had no intentions of retreating into Berlin. Heinrichi has publicly stated that his plan was to order the 9th army to retreat to Elbe ASAP and surrender to the Americans. He just needed to fight as long as he could to avoid getting shot. He couldnt do as Manuffetel up north who the day before the Red Army attacked on his flank ordered a general withdrawl to Denmark
 
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