🤔 On the morning of April 20, with the defense line at Seelow virtually broken, Heinrici telephoned Reymann (commander of the defense of Berlin) and ordered him to ensure that all of Berlin's defenders were sent to the front.
Reymann replied that 15 battalions of the Volkssturm were already on their way. However, Heinrici insisted on searching the city again to find more troops. He emphasized: "Don't you understand the purpose of my order? Remember our conversation with Minister Speer. If we evacuate the city of soldiers, we will avoid fighting within it and reduce damage. The battle must be decided outside its gates." Reymann, understanding the gravity of the instruction, replied: "Yes, it is clear. I will find a way to justify this measure."
Shortly afterwards, General Reymann was dismissed as commander of Berlin. Goebbels pressured Hitler to have him removed, convinced that Reymann was deliberately dismantling the city's defence by relocating the Volkssturm, which was indeed true. With this decision, control over the defence of Berlin was removed from Heinrici's hands.
War Academy
🤔 On the morning of April 20, with the defense line at Seelow virtually broken, Heinrici telephoned Reymann (commander of the defense of Berlin) and ordered him to ensure that all of Berlin's defenders were sent to the front.
Reymann replied that 15 battalions of the Volkssturm were already on their way. However, Heinrici insisted on searching the city again to find more troops. He emphasized: "Don't you understand the purpose of my order? Remember our conversation with Minister Speer. If we evacuate the city of soldiers, we will avoid fighting within it and reduce damage. The battle must be decided outside its gates." Reymann, understanding the gravity of the instruction, replied: "Yes, it is clear. I will find a way to justify this measure."
Shortly afterwards, General Reymann was dismissed as commander of Berlin. Goebbels pressured Hitler to have him removed, convinced that Reymann was deliberately dismantling the city's defence by relocating the Volkssturm, which was indeed true. With this decision, control over the defence of Berlin was removed from Heinrici's hands.
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