Busse’s breakout group reaches the final rendezvous point, and there, they prepare to make the final push towards the 12th Army’s lines. 

Meanwhile, the remaining 9th Army forces trapped in the Halbe Pocket are eliminated by the Soviets.

After surviving the carnage in Halbe, Busse’s breakout group continues their escape westwards.

The final breakout attempt is launched as the 9th Army seeks to smash through the Soviet defences in Halbe. 

Meanwhile, the 12th Army successfully evacuates the Potsdam Garrison.

Elements from the 9th Army stage a second breakout attempt, and Wenck’s 12th Army continues their push towards Potsdam.

The two battlegroups fight on, but are crushed by stiff Soviet counter-attacks. 

Conditions in the Halbe Pocket worsen as the Soviets tighten the noose, whilst the eastern flank of Wenck’s 12th Army reaches the Beelitz area.

The first breakout attempt from the pocket is launched by the battlegroups von Luck and Pipkorn.

The 12th Army continues on their mission to rescue the trapped 9th Army.

The 9th Army is fully encircled by the Soviets in the Halbe Pocket, trapping thousands of men and civilians in an ever-shrinking cauldron of death and destruction.

General Wenck of the German 12th Army is ordered to advance on Berlin and crush the Soviet attacks on the city. 

But Wenck, seeking to save as many German soldiers and civilians as possible, has other ideas…

A plan is hatched by the German High Command to rescue Berlin - a plan which offers a slim glimmer of hope to the beleaguered 9th Army…

Elements of the 9th Army begin taking up positions in the Spreewald area whilst others remain engaged in battle on the Oder frontline. General Busse is forced to choose between following Hitler's orders versus saving his men.

Meanwhile, Zossen falls…