When it comes to the German army, we always think of its almost invulnerable combat effectiveness, such a strong army, and also its nemesis - the Russian army. Yes, from Napoleon to Hitler, these two European heroes did not escape the iron hooves of the Russian army in the end. Such a Russian army, which was once questioned as "belligerent and not good at war", was able to occupy Berlin three times at a critical moment in history, but the German army never actually entered Moscow or Petersburg.
When it comes to the combat effectiveness of the German army, no one can match it. In both world wars, the German army performed impressively, and although it ended in defeat, this did not completely hide their bravery on the battlefield. History always seems to be joking, and there is always an opponent who can defeat a seemingly invincible opponent at a critical moment. For the German army, this opponent is the Russian army.
As early as World War I, the German army had already shown its strong combat effectiveness, and the Russian army was defeated on the Eastern Front. But in the blink of an eye, by World War II, the situation had changed dramatically. In 1945, the Soviet Red Army shone in the Battle of Berlin, completely shattering the nightmare of Nazi Germany. Hitler's suicide marked the end of an era, and all of this took place on the stage of Berlin's history.
But why was the Soviet army able to turn defeat into victory at a critical moment, and even capture Berlin three times? Behind this is not only a contest of military strength, but also a contest of strategy and tactics. Although the German army was strong, its tactics often appeared to be inflexible in the face of the Soviet army. The tactics of the Soviet army are changeable, and they can flexibly adjust according to the situation on the battlefield, and this eclectic tactical response makes the German army defenseless.
Speaking of tactics, it has to be mentioned that the "deep encirclement" tactics of the Soviet Red Army, which were exemplified to the extreme in the Battle of Stalingrad. Although the Germans had an advantage in the initial stage, with the gradual counteroffensive of the Soviet army, in the end the Germans were besieged and the supply lines were cut off, which directly led to the collapse of the German army.
The tenacity and huge human resources of the Soviet army were also important factors in their ability to defeat the German army again and again. During the Soviet-German war, the Soviet Union mobilized millions of people to fight in the war, and its scale of productivity and material supplies provided solid logistical support for the battlefield. On the German front, as the war continued, resources were gradually strained and morale gradually declined, which undoubtedly exacerbated the defeat of the German army.
In discussing this great showdown, we cannot ignore the influence of the leaders. Stalin's iron-fisted policy and high degree of military control played a non-negligible role in the war. By contrast, some of Hitler's decision-making mistakes, such as contempt for the Soviet Union and overconfidence in the later stages of the war, also set the stage for Germany's defeat.
History is the best teacher. From this epic confrontation, we can see that military force alone cannot determine the outcome of a war, and the choice of strategy, the wisdom of the leadership, and the morale of the soldiers are all key factors that affect the outcome. The Soviet army was able to occupy Berlin three times, not only because of their military strength, but also because they made the right strategic decisions at critical moments, showing extraordinary war intelligence and indomitable fighting spirit.
In addition, humanity in war is also a link that cannot be ignored. Countless ordinary Soviet and German soldiers showed incredible courage and sacrifice in this catastrophe in human history. Their stories are not only a footnote to the war, but also a profound influence on the yearning for peace and the deep reflection on war of later generations.
With the end of the war, the world pattern has also changed dramatically. The curtain of the Cold War slowly opened, and the fate of Germany and the Soviet Union also entered a new stage. But behind all this, there are those decisive battles and the key moments of the capture of Berlin. The Soviet army was not only the nemesis of Germany, but also the power that changed the whole world at a critical historical moment.
Looking back at history, the three occupations of Berlin by Soviet troops were not accidental, but the result of a combination of factors. From strategic layout to tactical execution, from leadership command to soldier execution, all this formed a solid foundation for the continuous victories of the Soviet army.