[henkster]

One of the last German situation maps for the war. In the sector of 4th Panzer Army, south of Berlin, Konev's 1st Ukrainian Front is well over the Niesse River and German defenses have collapsed. Two tank corps of Konev's army have been spotted heading north-northwest through a large gap torn in the German defenses. Many more Soviet units are following up through the breach. The northern wing of 4th Panzer is hard pressed but still intact, holding positions around Cottbus. The center has been shredded, with the remains of some units trying to make a stand around Spremberg. The southern wing is in retreat.

On 9th Army's Front, today is the day Zhukov's forces finally crack the Seelow position. Ninth Army's four-day stand in this position against heavy odds was remarkable, but the outcome was never really in doubt and the Germans knew it. Now, German LVI Panzer Corps is breaking up and being herded back away from their defensive positions. While the Germans have identified the mass of Soviet units in a line along the Seelow Heights, that information is dated; that's where those units were yesterday. Most of them are now much farther west of that, but the Germans do not know exactly what Soviet units are where. From the looks of the blue question marks next to their own units, it looks like the Germans don't really know where their own units are. Or whether they even exist. No frantic pencil marks today; the map speaks for itself.

On the 3rd Panzer Army front, the flooded Oder is still their best, and only, defense.

[PapaNew]

We have stopped our advance because of earlier political agreements while the Russians continue theirs. Why does it feel like our war with Germany is all over but the shouting and the conflict and “war” with the USSR is just about to start?

Major events in the near future that I can think of:

- Hitler’s death

- The A & H bombs on Japan

- Events leading up to Israel becoming a nation

[colorado tanker]

Scary maps for the Germans, for sure. Gaping holes and question marks all over the place.

I really don't understand all the worry about a follow-on guerrilla war. The only place the Germans are really fighting hard is in the East because they know their fate and the fate of Germany in the hands of the Russians. In contrast, there is no organized civil disobedience in areas occupied by the Western powers.