What did Walther Wenck do?
Walther Wenck (German: [ˈvaltɐ ˈvɛŋk]) (18 September 1900 – 1 May 1982) was the youngest General of the branch (General der Truppengattung) in the German Army and a staff officer during World War II. At the end of the war, he commanded the German Twelfth Army that took part in the Battle of Berlin.
How many people did Walther Wenck save?
For the general the Battle of Berlin was not a battle, but a rescue operation. After he had saved more than 200,000 refugees from the city Wenck crossed the river Elbe aboard the last boat on 7 May 1945 after the refugees and troops crossed the Elbe, on May 7 Wenck surrendered to the Americans.
Who led Germany in the Battle of Berlin?
Adolf Hitler
On the German side was Adolf Hitler, who remained in Berlin to help command and lead the defense of the city, as well as military commanders Gotthard Heinrici and Helmuth Reymann. The battle began on April 16 when the Soviets attacked along the Oder River near Berlin.
Who liberated Berlin?
the Soviet Union
The Soviet Army ultimately captured Berlin. On 15 April 1945, the Soviet Union fired a massive barrage of some one million artillery shells, one of the largest in history, onto the German positions west of the Oder.
How old was the youngest SS officer?
16 and a half years old
At 16 and a half years old, Stark was sent to Oranienburg, where he was the youngest recruit of the unit. There, the SS gave him an intensive indoctrination in the Nazi ideology.
What was the reason for Battle of Berlin?
The battle for Berlin had cost the Soviets over 70,000 dead. So what are the reasons for Stalin’s hurry to reach Berlin? After all, he was happy to share the city with his western allies after the city’s surrender. The traditional explanation is that it was a question of Soviet prestige and mistrust of the west.
Who defended the Reichstag?
Commanding the defense of the Reichstag itself was SS-Obersturmführer Gerhard Babick of the 2nd Regiment of 1. SS-Panzerdivision “Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler” (LSSAH) who personally commanded ~100 men of the 11th Company of 3rd Battalion from LSSAH.
Who won the battle of Berlin?
Soviet
The Soviet victory in the Battle of Berlin finished Nazi Germany. In May 1945, the Red Army barreled into Berlin and captured the city, the final step in defeating the Third Reich and ending World War II in Europe.
What happened to General heinrici after the war?
Post-war life After his capture, Heinrici was held at Island Farm, a British prisoner of war camp at Bridgend, South Wales, where he remained, except for a three-week transfer to a camp in the United States in October 1947, until his release on 19 May 1948.
What were Sophie Scholl’s last words?
Sophie’s last known words were: How can we expect righteousness to prevail when there is hardly anyone willing to give himself up individually to a righteous cause…. It is such a splendid sunny day, and I have to go.
When did the Soviets invade Berlin?
On April 16, 1945 the final assault on Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich began as Soviet Red Army forces attacked towards Berlin from the east.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OisFRVFCGkw