In April 1945, the Third Reich was crumbling. Soviet forces were closing in on Berlin, American and British troops were sweeping through the west, and high-ranking Nazi officials were turning on each other. At the heart of this chaos stood General Gotthard Heinrici, one of Germany’s last capable military commanders—and the bearer of grim truth.
As commander of Army Group Vistula, Heinrici had been ordered to hold back the Red Army at all costs. But by mid-April, the Soviet juggernaut had breached the Oder River line. Despite Heinrici’s tactical skill, it was clear: the war was lost.
In a fateful meeting at the Führerbunker, Heinrici reportedly told Hitler, bluntly and against all protocol, "It is over. We cannot hold Berlin. Continuing will only bring more death."
Hitler’s Reaction:
Witnesses describe Hitler falling into a state of furious denial, trembling, red-faced, and shouting. He refused to believe Berlin would fall, claiming reinforcements would turn the tide. His fantasy of a last-minute “miracle” persisted until his death.
Göring’s Reaction:
Hermann Göring, meanwhile, saw the writing on the wall. When Heinrici left, Göring began plotting his own exit. Just days later, he sent a telegram declaring himself Hitler’s successor—a move that enraged Hitler and led to Göring’s dismissal and arrest by the SS.
Heinrici, exhausted and disgusted, was soon relieved of command for “defeatism.” But history would prove him right. Less than two weeks later, Berlin fell, and Hitler was dead.