If the Americans and Brits had encircled Berlin it might not have been the Gotterdamerung battle the Soviets faced. German soldiers were surrendering to the Western Allies in huge numbers because they knew the jig was up and that they would be treated according to the Geneva Protcols , something they would not have gotten from the Russians. No reason to think the Berlin garrison would have behaved any different if given the chance at an honorable surrender with proper treatment as POW's. With his troops melting away to capitulate individually or in groups to the Amis & Tommies the Fuhrer might have found himself alone in his bunker with just his retinue. His end would have been the same.
Last edited by Len; 10-01-2019 at 07:48.
..of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an fawning court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants. -Alexander Hamilton , The Federalist Papers