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Nothing much would have changed had FDR been sterner with Stalin at Yalta. What leverage did FDR have? The Red Army of 1945 was massive, experienced, and well-led.

Eisenhower purposely held back "problem child" Patton who boasted he could be in Berlin in a few days. Not that impetuous Patton did not earn being disciplined, but it was Roosevelt whom Eisenhower answered to.

15 posted on 04/11/2024 6:30:42 AM PDT by daniel1212 (Turn 2 the Lord Jesus who saves damned+destitute sinners on His acct, believe, b baptized+follow HIM)

> Patton who boasted he could be in Berlin in a few days <

Patton was certainly correct about that. By early April of 1945 the German soldiers who faced him were demoralized. Many were eager to surrender.

But what would have happened once Patton reached the outskirts of Berlin? Hitler was still alive, and he still had an iron grip on the city. The Soviets suffered hundreds of thousands of casualties taking Berlin. The Americans would have suffered much the same.

As you noted, Eisenhower held Patton back. Probably a good thing as FDR (or Truman) would have ordered a withdrawal anyway.