Zhukov Advances West, Takes Berlin February

Watching a few documentaries and reading a few books, I've heard/read more than a few laments and rejoicings that there was a clear chance to take Berlin February, before it could build up it's defenses.
Why this chance wasn't taken was
A)Stalin was a Yalta. He wasn't too interested in army matters at this point, and also didn't want to intimidate the allies.
B)Because of that, 2 Belorussian Front was diverted from protecting Zhukov to offensives in East Prussia.
Perhaps 2nd Belorussian Front keeps protecting Zhukov's flank while the north is simply pinned? Perhaps this reorganisation of Soviet operations is because Yalta is scheduled to some other time, in later February or earlier January.
So, Zhukov takes Berlin February, without as much bloodshed. Then Soviet operations focus on other matters, like East Prussia and etc.
Is Hitler captured? How much farther west does Soviet control extend? (Remember, Allies were far from Berlin at this time. Perhaps even no Dresden!).
Speculate, please.
 
Hitler and elite are evacuated to Munchen or somewhere to mountains to the west. Nazi resistance on the west is stronger.

Allies meets on Rhine.
Soviet Europe is up to Rhine.
France takes all lands to the west of Rhine.
Soviets get all rocket centres.
 
Definite advantage to Russia, I'd wager that a war between the USSR and the Western Allies is a lot more likely in this TL. Especially because with the fall of Berlin, Hitler's going to be gunning for it.

On the other hand, an earlier fall of Berlin might hasten the fall of the Nazi regime depending on exactly who escapes from Berlin. If enough high ranking Nazi officials are killed/captured perhaps the military takes over and brings an end to the conflict?
 
AFAIR the soviets simply had to make a supply build-up before going for Berlin and thus wasn't able to go in February.
This was also the reason for their halt on the Oder.
 
AFAIR the soviets simply had to make a supply build-up before going for Berlin and thus wasn't able to go in February.
This was also the reason for their halt on the Oder.
Unlikely, as this was taken into account but written off as as an excuse in my research on it.
lso, it's a bit too late for the conflict too end that way. '44, maybe. '45, and everyone is simply rushing to Germany at this point.
Also, even if supplies were slightly low, the defenses of Berlin were not ready, so that would be canceled out. It is unlikely the Battle of Berlin would be so bloody this timeline.
 

burmafrd

Banned
The scorched earth policy of the German retreat did slow the soviet advance quite a bit. Having to completely rebuild roads, bridges, RR, etc took a lot of work (a lot of our Lend Lease was used there). One must also remember that Russia was pretty exhausted herself by Feb 1945.
Supplies and supply lines do not magically appear. Its an old saw but still a pretty accurate one "amateurs study tactics- professionals study logistics". The Red Army was not capeable from a logistical standpoint of making a sudden strike at Berlin in Feb 1945.
 
The scorched earth policy of the German retreat did slow the soviet advance quite a bit. Having to completely rebuild roads, bridges, RR, etc took a lot of work (a lot of our Lend Lease was used there). One must also remember that Russia was pretty exhausted herself by Feb 1945.

Supplies and supply lines do not magically appear. Its an old saw but still a pretty accurate one "amateurs study tactics- professionals study logistics". The Red Army was not capeable from a logistical standpoint of making a sudden strike at Berlin in Feb 1945.

What scorched earth tactics? True, in their retreat (or rout) form Russia, the Germans did do some organized scorched earth, but from Poland westwards, it was just Festung cities and mass civilian routs. Hell, Hitler didn't even blow the bridges to Berlin (justified, Speer prevented him). They didn't have the logistics needed, and Hitler's insistence to counterattack made it necessary to keep whatever infrastructure the Germans had. Anyway, destroying infrastructure would lessen overall morale.

On your second point I agree. The Soviets were constrained by supplies. But I believe, if they were given the chance, the Soviets would strike to Berlin. Remember Stalin's April 1st lie, that the attack to Berlin was only diversionary. Biggest April Fool in modern history.
 

burmafrd

Banned
actually if you look at the reports given by the Red Army about the amount of road building, etc while moving through Poland you would see that the scorched earth was an actual underestimation. Its true that Speer worked to prevent destruction on GERMAN soil- but not in Poland.
 
actually if you look at the reports given by the Red Army about the amount of road building, etc while moving through Poland you would see that the scorched earth was an actual underestimation. Its true that Speer worked to prevent destruction on GERMAN soil- but not in Poland.

Yes, I said Poland Westwards.
 
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