In May 1945 Soviet troops had captured Berlin, and they proceeded to loot the city, and carry out the most horrific abuse of German women. American, British and French troops arrived two months later, and found a desperate and starving population.

Giles Milton has written a brilliant new book, Checkmate in Berlin, about the German capital in the aftermath of the Second World War. In Part One, we discuss that abuse, de-nazification, the Allies and the Soviets in the city, and Churchill's defining Iron Curtain speech.

Timings

Soviet and allied behaviour: 2m07s

DeNazification 7m0s

Soviets and Allies: 11m43s

The Iron Curtain Speech: 25m02s

Giles Milton Links

Book: Checkmate in Berlin

Map: The Divided Germany

Map: West and East Berlin

Film: Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech

Giles on Twitter @GilesMilton1

Aspects of History Links

Website: Aspects of History

Me on Twitter: @olliewcq

You can email us [email protected]

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