Good analysis there (your post #7). The Red Army in 1945 was massive, experienced, and very well led.
The only way the Western Allies could have beat them would have been with a massive air campaign, including an atomic bomb or two. Even then, it would have been a bloody mess. And as you said, the American public never would have stood for it.
True, but by the time they reached Berlin they were overextended and had little air support. On our side we were at our zenith in terms of air, manufacturing, weapon technology, and strategy. We could have cut their supply lines (hell, we invaded Normandy) and wrapped up the campaign in 18 months, IMHO.