Hitler ordered a last ditch, all out, attack by German forces in Berlin. The Berlin forces were under the command of SS Obergruppenführer Felix Steiner., who called Gen. Heinrici and informed him that the plan could not be implemented because the 5th Jäger Division and the 25th Panzergrenadier Division were deployed defensively and could not be redeployed until the 2nd Naval Division arrived from the coast to relieve them. This left only two battalions of the 4th SS Panzergrenadier Division available, and they were poorly equipped.
Heinrici, appreciating Steiner's assessment, called General Hans Krebs, Chief of Staff of the German General Staff of the Army High Command (Oberkommando des Heeres or OKH), and told him that the plan could not be implemented and he further asked to speak to Hitler. He was informed that Hitler was too busy. Hitler did become aware that Steiner had no intention of attacking, however, and fell into a rage, declared the war lost, and blamed his generals. He expressed his intention to remain in Berlin until the defeat was final and kill himself.
What a selfish asshole.
The Battle of Bautzen, one of the last battles of the Eastern Front, began around Bautzen, Germany.
The Battle of the Ruhr Pocket ended in an Allied victory. It was notable as German anti Nazi resistance in Düsseldorf attempted to surrender the city to the Allied armies in the so-called "Aktion Rheinland" in order to spare Düsseldorf.
The Polish II Corps captured Bologna.
American soldiers being greeted by civilians in Genoa. 21 April, 1945. Photographer: Leviton, 196th Signal Photo Co.
The U-636 was sunk off of Ireland by the Royal Navy.
German born Jewish representative for Sweden to the Jewish World Congress Norbert Masur met, in Germany, with Heinrich Himmler to agree the release of women from Ravensbrück concentration camp.
Diehard Nazis who weren't willing to go down with Hitler were beginning to attempt to cut their deals.
A mutual assistance treaty was concluded between the Soviet government and the Provisional Government of Poland
Field Marshall Walter Model, age 54, killed himself.
Model had not come from a military family, which is interesting in relation to his death. Many high ranking officers who did saw no reason to take this step at all, and their post war lives showed the wisdom of their decision. Many joined the Bundesheer, and even very high ranking officers were not really subject to much but temporary punishment. Model would no doubt not have been able to join the post war West German Army, but he likely would not have been punished all that much.
Model's middle class background likely had much to do with his despair. Perhaps ironically, those who came from the military class were acclimated to German and Prussian regimes failing.
Gen. Karl Decker, age 47, German panzer general killed himself. What is noted above for Model, is even more the case for Decker.
PFC Martin O. May, agee 23,preforemd the actions that resulted in his winning the Medal of Honor. His citation reads:
He gallantly maintained a 3-day stand in the face of terrible odds when American troops fought for possession of the rugged slopes of legusuku-Yama on Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands. After placing his heavy machinegun in an advantageous yet vulnerable position on a ridge to support riflemen, he became the target of fierce mortar and small arms fire from counterattacking Japanese. He repulsed this assault by sweeping the enemy with accurate bursts while explosions and ricocheting bullets threw blinding dust and dirt about him. He broke up a second counterattack by hurling grenades into the midst of the enemy forces, and then refused to withdraw, volunteering to maintain his post and cover the movement of American riflemen as they reorganized to meet any further hostile action. The major effort of the enemy did not develop until the morning of 21 April. It found Pfc. May still supporting the rifle company in the face of devastating rifle, machinegun, and mortar fire. While many of the friendly troops about him became casualties, he continued to fire his machinegun until he was severely wounded and his gun rendered useless by the burst of a mortar shell. Refusing to withdraw from the violent action, he blasted fanatical Japanese troops with hand grenades until wounded again, this time mortally. By his intrepidity and the extreme tenacity with which he held firm until death against overwhelming forces, Pfc. May killed at least 16 Japanese, was largely responsible for maintaining the American lines, and inspired his comrades to efforts which later resulted in complete victory and seizure of the mountain stronghold.
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Labels: 1940s, 1945, Adolf Hitler, Army, Battle of Berlin, Heinrich Himmler, Hermann Göring, Hitler Youth, Italian Army, Okinawa, Operation Herring, Paratroopers, Royal Australian Air Force, South Pacific, World War Two
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