[Cyber Liberty]

I agree with that analysis. If we want a surrender, we need to leave someone powerful enough to do a credible job of it. Germany required a bit of pacification after Hitler croaked himself (leaving nobody in charge), and that’s the only good think about the Soviets deciding to keep a good share of Germany in their pocket. They were better pacifiers than we were, because they were more savage. Still are.

[tanknetter]

Germany required a bit of pacification after Hitler croaked himself (leaving nobody in charge)

Doenitz had enough credibility to surrender and have most of the German public, the Kreigsmarine, Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe follow along. The holdouts were really in the SS, and even then they were pretty ineffectual overall (see Operation Werewolf)