I recall for years the argument that Montgomery could have taken Berlin before the Russians and that Eisenhower made a terrible mistake in not allowing it After March 1945, and in defiance of Hitler, the Wehrmacht generals were not even trying to stop the Anglo-US advance into Germany. All available reserves were being used to prevent the much-feared Red Army from advancing on Berlin. Opposition to western forces after March 1945 was sporadic and when it occurred was due to the initiative of local commanders rather than any order from army commanders. This applied to Allied advances on major cities including Bremen, Hannover, Brunswick, Nuremburg, and Munich. It seems highly unlikely to assume *without evidence to the contrary* that Berlin would have been defended to the death by the Wehrmacht when so many other towns and cities were surrendered after only negligible or slight resistance. (snip remaining)