Out of idle curiosity, I wonder whether unintended consequences of Hitler’s 12/44 Ardennes offensive might have both hastened the war’s end and also reduced suffering by civilians in western Germany. My thought is that German resources and morale expended in that last-gasp offensive were unavailable thereafter to slow our eastward advance during early 1945. Your thoughts, please?
Russia was pressing from the East. I don't think it would have mattered that much. It's hard to say. Stalin would accelerate or slow down his forces depending on how it would or could benefit Russia. Warsaw is a perfect example.
I think what finally allowed the Allies to finish the drive on Germany was Antwerp.
Just my thoughts.