Free Walking Tour Berlin

When: Every day 10am & 12pm every day
Where: The meeting point is in front of the ehemaliges Kaiserliches Postfuhramt Berlin, Oranienburger Straße, 10117 Berlin, Germany, next to the entrance.
Price: Free

Who Reached Berlin First? The Exciting Race in History

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Original Berlin

The Background of the Race

It was a World War II competition, in which the aim was to capture Berlin first. It was between two superpowers – The Soviet and the Western Allies, mainly United States and United Kingdom. The objective was to besiege and occupy the German capital, Berlin; one of the major objectives on the axis during the war.

Invasion of Germany

Though Soviet attacks against Germany technically began on April 16, 1945, when it launched the Berlin strategic offensive operation, the race to Berlin officially started with that last great Soviet push against German forces. Led by Marshal Georgy Zhukov the Soviet forces slowly pushed through the German defences as they pushed toward the capital.

Eastern Germany and the Western Allies were themselves on the offensive at the same time. He wanted to divide the Germans and surround them from the West and get them across the Rhine and into Berlin, but either was suitable to reach this goal. The Germans slowed the progress of the Western Allies.

The Soviet Advance

There was no relent as the Soviet advance towards Berlin continued. Their treatment of German territory was fierce and the battles they fought were bitter. The Soviet forces had the numbers: in the West, they were determined to be first to Berlin.

The Fall of Berlin

A few weeks of fighting in Berlin had mostly been fought, and on April 30, 1945, the Soviet forces finally arrived. The greatly defended city fell to the overwhelming power of the Soviet Union. German forces surrendered and Soviet soldiers raised their flag over the city, it was a victory.

The Western Allied Forces

The Western Allies were not far behind they were soon not far behind the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, returning to lead the Western Allies into the west, the Soviet forces closed on the capital. They made good progress in spite of fierce resistance and helped Germany lose.

As the Western Allies pressed towards Berlin they captured key German cities including Frankfurt and Nuremberg. The German defenses, and that pursuit of their logistical line of supply held up their advance.

The End of the War in Europe

The Berlin race for the surrender of Nazi Germany ended May 8, 1945, with unconditional surrender. Now this date is known as Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The victory ended World War II in Europe with the jointly celebrated victory of the Soviet Union and the Western Allies.

It is to be understood that the Soviet Union was the one that got to Berlin first but it was the coordinated efforts of the Allied powers that helped to knock out Nazi Germany. It was almost a race to reach Berlin, not just another competition, but an end to one of the darkest chapters in the world.

Conclusion

To summarize then, the competition to get to Berlin first during World War Two was a spectacular ‘who does it first’ race between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. Soviet Union did finally enter Berlin first, but were assisted by the Western Allies in the Allied victory in Germany. For centuries the Allied forces have made great efforts and sacrifices, but this race brought closure with an end to Nazi rule and the war on Europe. 

Thank you for reading. If you're inspired by the stories of Berlin and want to delve deeper, why not join us on our Free Berlin Walking Tour? It's a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the city's rich history and vibrant culture. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • 3.5 hours walking tour
  • Berlin’s major highlights
  • Brandenburg Gate
  • Reichstag and Berlin Wall
  • Historical sites

Free Walking Tour Berlin

When: Every day 10am & 12pm every day
Where: The meeting point is in front of the ehemaliges Kaiserliches Postfuhramt Berlin, Oranienburger Straße, 10117 Berlin, Germany, next to the entrance.
Price: Free