Figure 1.--With the Red Army sweeping west after finally crossing the Vistula. This brought the Soviers closer to Berlin. But Hitler for reasons that are difficult to understand decided that they were not immediately headed for Berin. His generals were shocked when he order Germany's scarce reserves intended to defend Berlin to relieve the forces defending Budapest. Most would perish in a futile effort to stop the Red Army. Here is a wounded soldier being treated in beleagered Budapest. The boys at the left look to be wearing Scout caps. The Soviets of course were headed for Berlin. And because Hitler had depleted the defenses, much of the fight would be carried by boys and older men. Source: Bundarchiv Bild 146-1986--064-10..

The Germans turned Budapest into a battlefield, but only by committing forces needed for the defense of Berlin. The city has been bombed earlier. Stalin preparing for Yalta where the occupation zones would be settled, ordere his overstreached forces to seize the city immeditely. The battle there raged for 7 weeks. The Arrow Cross murdered many of the surviving Jews. The Soviets succeeded in surrounding the city (December 1944). Hitler shocked his generals by bolstered the defense of Budapest with last-remaining SS armored reserves. He decided that te Soviets were not planning a major offensive on Berlin and thus decided that forces preparing to defend Berlin could be shifted south to Budapest, a decision brdering on insanity. The result was Operation Konrad, the German-Hungarian effort to relieve the encircled garrison of Budapest (January 1945). The operation consisted of three separate efforts, primarily conducted by IV SS Panzer Corps. Konrad I was launched by IV Panzer Korps from Tata (January 1, 1945). The Soviets halted it near Bicske. Konrad II again led by IV Panzer Korps began from Esztergom (January 7). It was halted near Pilisszentkereszt. The final effort to releave Budapest was Konrad III (January 17). Again it wasled by the now chewedup IV SS Panzer Corps supported by III Panzer Corps. They attacked south of Budapest near Székesfehérvár. They attempt to encircle ten Soviet divisions, but were halted south of Ercsi. Budapest finally fell (February 1945). Most of the German defenders were killed. The beautiful city on the Danube was devestated. Emense damage occurred, both from the fighting and by the Germans destoying the rail, road, and communications infrastructure as they were forced back by the Soviets. The German defense of Budapest seriously depleted the forces that had been held in reserve to defend Berlin. An estimated 80,000 Russians died in taking the city. [Ungváry] The Soviets, however, could afford such lossess. The Germans coud not. As a result, the German defense of Berlin would largely be conducted by Volksturm boys and older men. Further south, the Red Army advances were delayed. As a result, the Americans drove into Bavaria and western Austriawith light opposition. .