David and Michael discuss Antony Beevor’s book The Fall of Berlin 1945 as they conclude their WWII journey in Europe.
Book description from publisher:
The Red Army had much to avenge when it finally reached the frontiers of the Third Reich in January 1945. Frenzied by their terrible experiences with Wehrmacht and SS brutality, they wreaked havoc—tanks crushing refugee columns, mass rape, pillage, and unimaginable destruction. Hundreds of thousands of women and children froze to death or were massacred; more than seven million fled westward from the fury of the Red Army. It was the most terrifying example of fire and sword ever known.
Antony Beevor, renowned author of D-Day and The Battle of Arnhem, has reconstructed the experiences of those millions caught up in the nightmare of the Third Reich’s final collapse. The Fall of Berlin is a terrible story of pride, stupidity, fanaticism, revenge, and savagery, yet it is also one of astonishing endurance, self-sacrifice, and survival against all odds.
Colorized video of the Battle of Berlin (graphic content obviously) but you can see the absolute ferocity of the Red Army’s fire power and the vicious street fighting that ensued: https://youtu.be/OdBLFkUdQlc
Additionally a video highlighting the SS Charlemagne’s defense of Berlin until the bitter end: https://youtu.be/DFUnislTWU8
Link to purchase The Fall of Berlin 1945: https://amzn.to/3Iz82fy
Brains and Brawn 