Author: Cornelius Ryan
Translator: Wang Yiguo
Publisher: CITIC Publishing Group
Publication time: July 1, 2015
Ryan's three World War II works, in order of writing and publication time, are "The Longest Day" (1959), "The Last Battle" (1965), and "The Distant Bridge" (1974); But in the order of the historical events reflected, 'The Distant Bridge' comes second, and 'The Last Battle' comes third.
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The Longest Day "depicts the Operation Overlord, which was the Normandy landing on June 6, 1944; The Distant Bridge "depicts the" Market Garden "operation in the Netherlands from September 17 to 26, 1944; The Last Battle "depicts the Allied invasion of Berlin from April 15 to May 10, 1945. Don't forget to share your experience!
These three works are widely recognized as classic works of World War II literature, distributed in over 20 languages around the world and having a global impact. Among them, 'The Longest Day' and 'The Distant Bridge' have been adapted into movies, becoming popular worldwide and well-known to people. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
Specifically regarding the book 'The Last Battle', I kindly request readers to take the time to read the 'Author Acknowledgments' section at the end of the book. A total of 2000 people provided information and over 700 people participated in the interview. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
The author interviewed not only British and American generals such as Eisenhower and Montgomery, but also Soviet marshals such as Konev and Chekhov, as well as numerous German generals and civilians. These interviews are by no means optional. The author specifically mentioned that during a period of three months, he had Let me know your thoughts in the comments!German general Gotthard HeinrichGotthard Heinrich conducted countless interviews, and without Heinrich, this book would not have been written. This is neither polite nor overly modest. If it weren't for Heinrich, the battles between the Soviet and German armies wouldn't have been written so delicately and realistically, and readers wouldn't have been able to read with such interest. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
preface
April 16th, 1945, Monday, Day A
The Battle of Berlin, the final blow to Hitler's Third Reich, began withApril 16, 1945, Monday, 4am sharp - known as A Day by the Western AlliesIn an instant, less than 62 kilometers east of the German capital, red flames suddenly ignited in the night sky above the swollen Oder River, and a stunning battle was about to begin, Have you tried this before? Share your story!Soviet peopleThe attack on this city also began from then on.
Almost simultaneously,Various departments of the US 9th Army GroupLeaving Berlin - Turning back towards the westward army, they are going toTang Gemingde(Tangerm ü nde) andBalbyBetween BarbyAlong the banks of the Yibei RiverOccupy new territory. As early as April 14th, General Eisenhower made a decision to order the Anglo American Allied Forces to cease their large-scale advance within German territory. Berlin, "he said," is no longer the primary military target. "When the US military received orders, some units were only 70 kilometers away from Berlin. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
When the Soviet Union launched an attack,Berliners waited in silence in the bombed out city, numb and fearful, insisting on the only valuable political science of the moment - 'survival politics'. Have you tried this before? Share your story!Eating has become more important than love, hiding is more dignified than fighting, enduring is more correct than winning in military affairs. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
The following is the story of the final battle - the attack and occupation of Berlin. Although this book describes the battle process, I've found that it's not a military report. More accurately, I've found that it's the story of ordinary people, soldiers and civilians who have to be drawn into the despair, frustration, fear, and rape that come with failure and victory. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Excerpts from Part 2: Generals
two
At the entrance of the base,HeinrichThe car quickly passed the inspection. The red and black guardrails inside the gate were lifted up, and amidst the hurried salutes of the sentry, the car drove in Don't forget to share your experience!Tsoson's command center——It's almost like entering another world. In a sense, I've found that it's indeed another world - a world of carefully disguised, deeply hidden, and orderly armies known only to a few people, whose codenames are Let me know your thoughts in the comments!Maybach I and Maybach II.
The building complex they drove through isMaybach I - Army Headquarters led by General GuderianHe is commanding from here The various army groups fighting on the Eastern FrontContinuing forward for over 1000 meters, there is another completely independent camp area:Maybach II, Supreme Command of the National Defense ForcesOKW Although ranked second, the authority of "Maybach II" is higher because it canIt is the headquarters of Supreme Commander Hitler.
Unlike General Goodrian who commands directly from the Army Headquarters, the highest level of the Defense Forces Supreme Command——Commander in Chief Marshal William KeitelGeneral Alfred Jodl, Chief of Staff of the Defense Forces Command Staff——Always by Hitler's side in any situation, no matter where the F ü hrer is. Only those who remain in Cuoson are left What do you think about this?The combat organization of the Supreme Command of the National Defense Forces, through which Keitel and Jodel remotely command various army groups on the Western Front What do you think about this?In addition, this institution is also aThe center for exchanging intelligenceConvey Hitler's instructions to the entire German armed forces.
In this way, the "Maybach II" became a completely enclosed forbidden area, with towering barbed wire fences even built between it and the "Maybach I", and patrol sentries arranged to completely cut off the connection between the two. Even the officers under Guderian were not allowed to enter the "Maybach II". Hitler declared in 1941 that no one was allowed to know anything beyond their scope of responsibility when carrying out his orders. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!In Guderian's General Staff, people joked that 'if the enemy captures the Supreme Command of the National Defense Forces, we will continue to work because we know nothing about what is happening there'. Don't forget to share your experience!
Under the dense and protective branches and leaves of the forest, Heinrich's car travels on the narrow dirt roads criss crossing between the buildings. Through the trees, rows of uneven and low concrete buildings can be seen. The distance between them is not small, in order to obtain maximum protection from the trees, for which they are all painted with lifeless green, brown, and black colors Have you tried this before? Share your story!Camouflage colorVehicles are parked outside the road - next to barracks style houses covered in camouflage nets. Sentinels are on high alert everywhere, and in strategic locations around the campsite, guards are simply stationed in small, low rise bunkers. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
These are all part of the crowded underground facilities that extend outwards beneath the entire campsite.The underground facilities of "Maybach I" and "Maybach II" are more numerous than the surface buildingsEach house has three underground floors, which are connected to each other through passages.Among these underground facilities, the largest is the "500 type telephone exchange" - the largest telephone, telegraph, and military radio communication exchange in Germany. It is self-contained, completely independent, and has its own air conditioning system (including a special filtration system that can prevent toxic gases) and water supply and drainage equipment, as well as kitchens and living areas Don't forget to share your experience!It is almost 21 meters below the surface - equivalent to a 7-story building built underground.
Army Headquarters and National Defense Forces Supreme CommandThe only shared facility is this giant telephone exchange, which serves as a link between the distant army theater, naval and air command headquarters, the two major command structures mentioned above, and Berlin, as well as the main telephone exchange system between the imperial government and various government departments. Don't forget to share your experience! It was built in 1939Its design purpose is to serve an empire with vast territory.In the main trunk line or long-distance telephone room, dozens of operators sit in front of the flashing switch panel working. Above each socket on the panel is a small card with the name of the city written on it - Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Copenhagen, Oslo, etc. However, the lights on some switch panel sockets disappeared - the cards on the sockets read names such as Athens, Warsaw, Budapest, Rome, and Paris. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
The comprehensive camouflage measures did not exempt the buildings in Cuoson from air raidsWhen Heinrich's car slowly stopped outside Guderian's command post, he could clearly see the evidence left by the bombing. This place is full of potholes and bullet craters, with large trees uprooted and some buildings severely damaged. However, sturdy houses minimize the damage caused by bombing - some houses are as solid as gold, with walls as thick as 1 meter alone. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
There is more evidence to suggest that the interior of the main building was also damaged during the bombing.HeinrichandFeng BilaThe first person I saw wasGoodrian's deputyHans KrebsHans KrebsInfantry GeneralKrebs was injured in the air raid, with a tight white bandage wrapped around his head. He was sitting behind a table near Goodrian's office, wearing a pair of glasses in his right eye. Heinrich had some reservations about the general in front of him, seeing him as a person who distorts black and white. What do you think about this?Although Krebs demonstrated his intelligence and wit in his position as Chief of Staff, he completely turned a blind eye to the truth before him, Have you tried this before? Share your story!He underestimated the severity of the war situation in front of people for Hitler.
Heinrich glanced at Krebs and abruptly asked, "What's wrong with you
Krebs shrugged and replied somewhat helplessly, "Oh, it's okay... it's not a big deal
Krebs remained calm throughoutBefore the war, he was stationed in Moscow as a military attach é at the German embassy and could speak fluent Russian. In 1941, after the signing of the Soviet Japanese Neutrality Treaty, Stalin gave Krebs a warm hug and told him, 'We will always be friends.'. Don't forget to share your experience!At this moment, while chatting casually with Heinrich, Krebs mentioned that he was still persevering in learning Russian. Every morning, "he said," I put a dictionary on the shelf under the mirror and learn a few more words while shaving. Have you tried this before? Share your story! ”Heinrich nodded. Krebs may find that his Russian will soon come in handy.
At this moment, Guderian's deputyBernd Freitag von Lorraine HoffenMajor Bernd Freytag von Loringhoven joined their conversation, and with him wasGerhard BoltCaptain Gerhard Boldt is also a member of Goodrian's personal staff team. The two of them formally welcomed Heinrich and von B ü ller, and then accompanied them to Guderian's office. In Feng Bila's opinion, everyone seemed to be dressed neatly, with shiny high boots, finely tailored and ironed field grey uniforms, and a red collar badge indicating the identity of a staff officer on the collar. Heinrich and von Lorraine Hoffen walked ahead together, as usual, his attire looked out of place - especially when looking from behind, the soft fur collar sheepskin coat made von Bilal furrow his brow. Don't forget to share your experience!
Von Lorraine Hoffen disappeared into Guderian's office and reappeared a few minutes later. He opened the door and invited Heinrich in. Your Excellency General Heinrich, "shouted von Lorraine Hoffen as Heinrich entered, then closed the door and stayed in the reception room with Bolt and von B ü la. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
Guderian spent a few minutes chatting about Heinrich's itinerary. Heinrich noticed that Guderian appeared impatient and restless, with wide shoulders and a medium-sized Army Chief of Staff with sparse gray hair and messy beard, looking much older than his actual age of 56. Some people may not know that Guderian is still a patient with hypertension and heart disease, and the symptoms of these diseases have not been alleviated by his repeated setbacks. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!Guderian was the creator of Hitler's massive armored forces, and in 1940, he conquered France in just 39 days with his aggressive armored tactics - a feat he almost achieved during the Soviet campaign. What do you think about this?But recently, this highly accomplished general has found himself powerless in the battle, even though he holds the position of Chief of the General Staff, his words carry little weight in front of Hitler. Heinrich heard that even during the smoothest times of the war, Guderian was a hot tempered officer. Faced with the situation where suggestions have been repeatedly rejected, this Chief of the General Staff's anger is likely to take it to the next level. Don't forget to share your experience!
During the casual conversation, Heinrich looked around. The furnishings in the office are very simple: a large map table, several straight backed chairs, two telephones, a green lampshade desk lamp on the table, and a brownish yellow wall with nothing but the commonly framed portrait of Hitler hanging above the map table. The dignified Chief of the Army General Staff doesn't even have an armchair. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
Although Guderian and Heinrich were not close friends, they had known each other for a long time. The two officers respected each other's professional ethics and abilities, and their relationship was close enough to chat freely and freely. Don't forget to share your experience!As soon as we got to the point, Heinrich spoke frankly: "General, I have been on the remote battlefield in Hungary and have almost no knowledge about the situation of the Vistula Army Group. What is its structure? What is the situation on the Oder River Have you tried this before? Share your story!
Guderian didn't hide anything either: "I should be frank with you, Heinrich. Hitler didn't want you to command this unit, he had someone else in his heart What do you think about this?
Heinrich remained silent.
Guderian continued, 'I am responsible for this. I told Hitler that you are the commander.'Vistula Group Army GroupThe most suitable candidate. At first, he didn't want to consider you at all, but in the end, I convinced him to agree Have you tried this before? Share your story!
When Guderian spoke, he had a professional and straightforward demeanor, but as he became more and more enthusiastic about the topic, his voice changed. Even 20 years later, Heinrich could still remember the details of his intense narration. Don't forget to share your experience!
“HimmlerThe biggest problem, you have to get rid of him and replace him - Himmler
He suddenly stood up from his chair, walked around the table, and then began pacing around the room. Heinrich just learned that, Don't forget to share your experience!The former commander of the Vistula Army Group was Heinrich Himmler, the national leader of the SSThe news shocked him, and at first he couldn't believe such a ridiculous appointment. He was aware that Himmler was a member of Hitler's core cabinet - a powerful figure in Germany who was "below one person and above ten thousand people", but he had never heard of Himmler having any experience commanding troops in combat - let alone commanding group level battles. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
Guderian angrily said: In January, when the Polish front began to collapse before the Soviet Red Army's unstoppable attack, he strongly urged the formation of the Vistula Army Group. The idea at that time was to treat the Vistula Army Group as a northern army group and defend it Have you tried this before? Share your story!Between the Oder River and the Vistula RiverThe main defense line roughly extends from East Prussia to a further southern location, connected to another army group. If this front can be held, it can block the avalanche of the Soviet Red Army, preventing them from crossing directly Let me know your thoughts in the comments!Lower Pomerania and Upper SilesiaOtherwise, they will launch a massive attack and then enterBrandenburg State,Finally arrived——BerlinEntering the heart of Germany.
Guderian once proposed that this crucial army group should be composed ofMarshal Maximilian von Weikes, in commandAt that time, he was exactly the right person to deal with this situation, "Guderian said," but what was the result? Hitler said that von Weix was too old. Jodl also attended the meeting, and I expected him to stand on my side, but he said something about von Weix's religious beliefs, and that's how it turned out Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
So, "Guderian roared," who did we get? Hitler appointed Himmler! Among so many people - Himmler was appointed
In his own words, he had "argued and even begged" for the "terrifying and absurd appointment" of this person with no military knowledge, but Hitler remained stubborn. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!As expected, under Himmler's poor command, the front line almost collapsed, and the Soviet Red Army advanced exactly as Guderian had anticipated. Don't forget to share your experience!As soon as the Soviets crossed the Vistula River, they divided a portion of their troops and marched northDanzig (now Gdansk, Poland)Arrived in the Baltic Sea and cut off and surrounded 20-25 divisions in East Prussia alone; The rest of the Soviet Red Army crossed through Pomerania and Upper Silesia, reaching the Oder and Nice rivers. Although the German defenses in various parts of the Eastern Front were crushed under heavy pressure, Himmler's defense zone collapsed the fastest among them. Due to his failure, the door to the main roads throughout Germany has been opened, What do you think about this?The Soviets also accelerated their pace of meeting with the Western Allies as a resultAnd most importantly, the opponent has put Berlin in danger.
Guderian told Heinrich that just 48 hours ago, he drove toBirkenhain's Vistula Army Group HeadquartersRoughly 80 kilometers north of Berlin, attempting to persuade Himmler to relinquish command. After arriving there, he was informed that Himmler was sick and eventually passed away over 30 kilometers away Let me know your thoughts in the comments!Lv XingThe national leader of the SS was found near Lychen, "curled up in a nursing home by the lake, just suffering from a cold and headache. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Guderian soon realized that Himmler's "illness" could be exploited.He expressed sympathy to the leader of the SS and hinted that perhaps his work was too exhausting, and the number of positions he held was enough to 'exhaust the entire energy of anyone'. What do you think about this?In addition to serving as the commander of the Vistula Army Group, the ambitious Himmler also concurrently held the positions of Minister of the Interior, Director General of the German Police, National Leader of the SS, and Commander in Chief of the Reserve Army. Have you tried this before? Share your story!Guderian hinted to him, why not give up one of these positions - such as commander of the Vistula Army Group? Have you tried this before? Share your story!
Himmler understood the meaning behind it. He told Guderian that he was absolutely right, as the numerous positions he held had indeed brought him immense pressure. However, "Himmler asked," how should I propose to the F ü hrer to relinquish command of the Vistula Army Group? "Guderian immediately told Himmler that if authorized, he was willing to make this proposal. Himmler immediately expressed agreement. Guderian added that that night, "Hitler relieved the military command of the overworked and overburdened national leader of the SS, but expressed a lot of grievances, clearly reluctantly. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
Guderian stopped, but only for a short while. His anger often erupts uncontrollably, interrupting his already intense rhetoric about the catastrophic situation of the war. Now his temper has risen again, and in the hysterical rage, the general is almost speechless. He shouted, 'The chaotic situation we are in is extremely absurd. Fighting in such a way is simply unbelievable! Unbelievable!' What do you think about this?
Guderian recalled that in the months leading up to this, he had tried to make Hitler understand that "the Eastern Front contained the real threat" and that "strict measures were necessary". Have you tried this before? Share your story!He urged a series of strategic retreats from the Baltic countries——Especially fromCourland Peninsula in LatviaRetreat - we still need toBalkan countriesRetreat, even proposing to abandon Norway and Italy.In summary, every front needs to be shortened so that every division freed up can be quickly dispatched to the Eastern Front. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!According to intelligence, the Soviet Union had twice as many divisions as the Western Allies, but the number of German divisions fighting on the Eastern Front was less than that of the Western Front. In addition, the most elite German divisions were surprisingly placed in Don't forget to share your experience!EisenhowerIn front of me. But Hitler refused to defend himself, unwilling to believe the facts and numbers presented before him.
Next, Guderian declared that 'Hitler may have made his biggest mistake'.
December 16, 1944He launched a desperate large-scale attack on the Western Allies,The battlefield is located in the undulating forests of the Ardennes plateau in Belgium and the northern part of LuxembourgThe German army will sweep through here. Hitler boasted that this offensive would cut off the Allies and change the entire course of the war. Have you tried this before? Share your story!
stayThe central part of the Allied front lineHe deployed three fully equipped army groups - a total of 20 divisions, including 12 armored divisions. Their goal is to break through the US defense line and arrive What do you think about this?Mas RiverThen lead the troops north and capture itAntwerpThis extremely important material storage port.
At the beginning of the battle, facing sudden attacks, the unprepared American army was defeated under the fierce attack of the German army and suffered significant losses. Don't forget to share your experience!However, the German army's successors were weak, and this offensive quickly came to an end; The Allies quickly regained their strength and, in just five weeks, drove Hitler's heavily damaged army groups back behind the German border. What do you think about this?
At a time when the offensive was clearly exhausted, "Guderian said," I implore Hitler to withdraw our troops from the Ardennes plateau and return to the Eastern Front. We estimate that the Soviet army could launch a fierce attack at any time. It's useless - he refuses to believe our judgment of Soviet strength Have you tried this before? Share your story!
On January 9th, Guderian told Hitler that the Soviets were expected to launch a full-scale attack from the Baltic Sea to the Balkans, with an estimated 225 infantry divisions and 22 tank corps. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!The assessment of the situation isReinhard Glenn, the Director of the Eastern Front Foreign Army Division of GuderianMajor General Reinhard Gehlen pointed out that the Red Army had a significant advantage in all aspects: infantry strength was 11-1, tanks were 7-1, and artillery and air force were at least 20-1. Hitler pounded the table and angrily rebuked the author of the evaluation report. Who prepared this garbage? "He roared," No matter who he is, he should be locked up in a mental hospital Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Three days later, the Soviets launched an attack, and Glenn's words were proven to be correct.
The front line has actually collapsed, "Guderian told Heinrich,The primary reason for the failure was that most of our armored units were held back on the western front.Finally, Hitler agreed to transfer a portion of the armored units, but he did not allow me to use tanks to attack the Red Army vanguard east of Berlin. Don't forget to share your experience!Where did he send those armored units? They went to Hungary, where they were thrown into a useless attack, attempting to recapture the oil fields there Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Hi, even now, "he said angrily," there are 18 divisions still in Kurland - stranded there doing nothing. We need them here - not the Baltic countries! If we want to survive, all our forces should be on the front line of the Oder River Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Gudri settled down for a moment, trying to calm himself down, and then he added:“The Soviets are staring at our throatsThey stopped attacking in order to reorganize their troops and launch a larger offensive. We estimate that you will have 3 to 4 weeks - until the flood falls - to prepare. At that time, the Soviets will attempt to establish new bridgeheads on the West Bank and expand their existing ones. They must be repelled, and no matter what happens elsewhere, the Soviets must be blocked by the Oder River. All our hopes are placed on this Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
