http://www.youtube.com/...mbedded&v=WOVEy1tC7nk

Interesting!

I didn't realize until I watched Der Untergang just how fast the final collapse of the third reich was; they managed to hold back the allies outside of pre-war Germany until only the last couple months really....

It did crumble pretty quick, but I think it was for 2 reasons:

1) Once France was assured to be liberated and the USSR was on the offensive, the next focus was post-war posturing.The outcome of the war was all but certain given economics and industrial power by that point. Both the West and USSR spent time liberating other places (Canada + Britain in the low countries and the USSR in what would become Warsaw Pact nations & the Balkans (although Britain did stuff there too)) as Germany was obviously not going to be able to be left in a position to align with either side. This was made official at Yalta.

2) The West expected stiff and stubborn German resistance, but Germany had already expended it's best troops and the Allies were mopping up conscripted children and old men. The Russians just had a crapload of men and equipment. Both sides over-prepared for the battle.

Cool video either way!