Dan Snow's History Hit: "The Red Army Surrounds Berlin"

Episode Release Date: April 10, 2025
Host: Dan Snow
Guest: Professor Evan Maudsley, Professor of International History at the University of Glasgow

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Red Army Surrounds Berlin," historian Dan Snow delves into the Eastern Front of World War II, a narrative often overshadowed by Western perspectives like D-Day. With guest Professor Evan Maudsley, the discussion examines the monumental Soviet offensives that ultimately led to the fall of Berlin, exploring strategic decisions, military operations, and their profound implications.

Operation Bagration and Its Impact ([04:05] - [05:22])

Professor Maudsley begins by highlighting Operation Bagration, launched in June 1944, as a pivotal Soviet offensive that decimated the German Army Group Center. This operation is described as one of the largest and most devastating defeats for the German army, effectively driving them out of Soviet territory.

“Bagration is the starting point ... the Germans are rolling back.”
— Evan Maudsley [04:22]

Maudsley emphasizes that Operation Bagration wasn't just a continuous push toward Berlin but marked the moment when the Germans faced irreparable losses, leading to a prolonged and complex retreat.

German and Soviet Strategies ([05:22] - [10:31])

Dan Snow probes whether the German retreat was due to inherent weaknesses or the Soviet rise in military prowess. Maudsley explains that post-Bagration, the Soviets had a significant advantage in numbers, experience, and material strength. He notes the German forces’ ability to retreat to the Vistula River in Poland, suggesting a temporary stabilization.

“It's really a monumental defeat... it's not as simple as that.”
— Evan Maudsley [04:22]

Maudsley further discusses the strategic halt ordered by Stalin in August 1944, where Soviet forces paused to consolidate their positions, affecting the momentum toward Berlin.

The Road to Berlin ([10:31] - [15:44])

As winter 1944 approached, Germany attempted to establish a defensible line along the Vistula River. Maudsley explains that while this seemed feasible, simultaneous Allied advances in Western Europe stretched German resources thin.

He outlines the Soviet plans to capture Berlin, detailing the creation of a formidable striking force under Stalin’s command, including Marshals Zhukov, Rokossovsky, and Konev. The initial plan was to launch an offensive in January 1945, aiming to seize Berlin before the onset of the Rasputitsa (rainy season).

“Stalin takes direct control of that operation...”
— Evan Maudsley [12:20]

Hitler's Final Offensives ([15:44] - [22:35])

Contrary to the Western narrative of the Battle of the Bulge being Hitler’s final stand, Maudsley reveals a significant Eastern offensive in March 1945. The 6th SS Panzer Army launched an attack in Hungary, aiming to defend Vienna—Hitler's beloved city.

Maudsley discusses how this diversion weakened the German defenses around Berlin, contributing indirectly to the city's fall.

“...it really doesn't work. The Russians are much strong.”
— Evan Maudsley [18:06]

He draws parallels between Hitler’s strategic miscalculations in 1941 and 1945, highlighting the recurring theme of overextension and misallocation of forces.

The Fall of Berlin ([22:35] - [31:51])

Professor Maudsley details the renewed Soviet offensive in March 1945, spurred by concerns that Allied forces might reach Berlin first. Stalin convened a conference in Moscow, leading to a concentrated attack plan involving multiple army groups aimed at encircling Berlin.

The offensive commenced on April 16, 1945. Initially encountering heavy resistance, Soviet forces adjusted their tactics, successfully surrounding Berlin by late April. The chaotic situation within the city rendered German resistance ineffective, leading to Berlin’s inevitable fall.

“Most of the fighting doesn't take place in Berlin... it takes place as Red army troops encircle Berlin.”
— Evan Maudsley [27:02]

Maudsley contrasts the high casualties in East Prussia with the relatively lighter losses in the west, underscoring the differing intensities of engagements across fronts.

Aftermath and Liberation ([31:51] - [35:04])

The episode concludes with reflections on the Soviet occupation of Berlin and Eastern Europe. Maudsley discusses the complex legacy of Soviet liberation, acknowledging both the role of the Red Army in defeating Nazi Germany and the subsequent Soviet dominance over Eastern Europe.

He notes that while some populations saw the Soviet forces as liberators from fascism, others resented the new form of oppression that followed, laying the groundwork for future Cold War tensions.

“Stalin knew that ... had to place confidence on being treated better by the Americans or the British.”
— Evan Maudsley [29:43]

Maudsley also touches on the lasting impact of Soviet actions during and after the war, including atrocities committed by Soviet troops, which complicate the narrative of liberation.

Conclusion

Dan Snow wraps up the episode by thanking Professor Maudsley for his insightful analysis of the Eastern Front's decisive battles leading to Berlin's fall. He teases the next episode, which promises an in-depth look at the fierce urban combat within Berlin itself.

“Thank you very much to Professor Evan Morsley for that brilliant overview.”
— Dan Snow [35:04]

The episode offers a comprehensive examination of the Soviet strategies and German challenges on the Eastern Front, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of the complexities that culminated in the fall of Berlin during World War II.

Key Takeaways

• Operation Bagration was a turning point in the Eastern Front, causing irreparable damage to the German Army Group Center.
• Soviet military superiority in numbers, experience, and material played a crucial role in the German retreats.
• Strategic decisions by both Stalin and Hitler, including offensives in Hungary, significantly impacted the war's outcome.
• The fall of Berlin was not just a result of direct attacks but also influenced by diversionary tactics and broader strategic maneuvers.
• Post-war Soviet occupation had a lasting and complex legacy in Eastern Europe, intertwining liberation with new forms of control.

Notable Quotes

"Bagration is the starting point ... the Germans are rolling back."
— Evan Maudsley [04:22]

"Stalin takes direct control of that operation..."
— Evan Maudsley [12:20]

"Most of the fighting doesn't take place in Berlin... it takes place as Red army troops encircle Berlin."
— Evan Maudsley [27:02]

This episode of Dan Snow's History Hit provides an in-depth exploration of the Soviet advances toward Berlin, offering listeners a detailed perspective on one of history's most significant military campaigns.