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.
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.