Last Defence of Berlin (1945)

The Defenders of Berlin (April–May 1945) were a desperate mix of Wehrmacht soldiers, SS units, Volkssturm militia, Hitler Youth, and foreign volunteers who fought to hold the German capital during the final Soviet assault of World War II. Vastly outnumbered and short on supplies, they defended street by street, using Panzerfausts, MG42s, and makeshift barricades in brutal close-quarters combat. Despite their determination, the defence was ultimately hopeless, and by May 2, 1945, Berlin fell to the Red Army—marking the end of Nazi Germany and the war in Europe.