The biggest mistake of the Germans was that they did not expect to meet with such a rebuff of the Russians: true heroism, self-sacrifice, and hard work. The USSR proved its ability to mobilize its human resources, industry, and agriculture even under the terrible conditions of the first months of the war, when almost half the industrial and agricultural capacities were lost. The main achievement of the USSR was evacuation and implementation of industrial plants, construction of new factories and enterprises, and development of new lands. The conversion of the economy to the war regime played a great role as well. The industry of the country was aimed at defense technology production, such as weapons, artillery, ammunition, tanks, fighters, and attack planes.
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The German command was doing urgent regimentation to defend Berlin. 16-17-year olds were called up for military service in January-March 1945. Taking into account these factors, High Command sent three armies to conquer Berlin. It also planned to involve the Baltic Navy, the Dnepropetrovsk military flotilla, the 18th air fleet, and anti-aircraft defence of the country.
The Soviet Army defeated 70 German infantry divisions, 23 armoured and motorized divisions; about 480 thousand people were taken prisoners; over 11 thousand weapons and mortars, over 1500 tanks and 4500 aircrafts were seized. In the final operation the Soviet Army incurred big losses: over 350 thousand people (78 thousand died), 2156 tanks and artillery pieces, 1220 weapons and mortars, and 527 aircrafts.
Operation Berlin was one of the most prominent operations of WWII. The victory of the Soviet Union was the determining factor in the downfall of Germany. It was celebrated on May 9, 1945.
After the downfall of Berlin, Germany was no more capable of offering resistance and had to capitulate.
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