Council of Third Reich
Introduction
Welcome to the Council of the Third Reich Committee. This crisis committee is set at the very end of the Nazi Empire, but to understand the weight of the moment, you must grasp how far and fast it rose. Adolf Hitler' regime, founded in 1933, rebuilt Germany into a centralized authoritarian state that encouraged industry, society and ideology toward full blown war.Through rearmament, propaganda and ruthless suppression, the Nazi Empire achieved rapid early successes. For example, the remilitarization of the Rhineland, the Anschluss with Austria, the annexation of the Sudetenland, and the swift conquest of Poland, France and much of Western Europe. At its height, Nazi Germany dominated the continent militarily and Administratively, commanding vast resources and subject populations. Yet these achievements were built on overextension, racial ideology, and perpetual conflict. The start of the Invasion of the Soviet Union in late 1940marked the turning point, draining manpower and resources and led to transforming Germany's wars of conquest into wars of survival. By 1945 the empire that once seemed unstoppable was starting to hollow out, sustained only by fear and Hitler's personal authority.
Its April 24th, 1945. In the Fuhrerbunker, Adolf Hitler and his Cabinet are presented with a crisis. Berlin is collapsing, Soviet forces have started to encircle Berlin, western allies have crossed the Elbe, Luftwaffe is starting to get destroyed. Fuel and ammunition reserves run critically low, and civilian infrastructure is collapsing. The regime is starting to lose the war militarily, diplomatically and administratively, yet continues to exist on paper through Hitler’s authority. With an overwhelming force of almost 2.5 million soldiers, thousands of tanks, and artillery, the Red Army began the Battle of Berlin. One of the final significant lines of defence was the Seelow Heights, located east of Berlin. By April 19, Soviet forces had started to penetrate against strong opposition.
An impossible choice presents itself: surrender, and give up the once prominent Nazi glory? Or fight back, and tap into their allies, remaining allies, and strategy to reclaim Berlin, and then, their empire. This is a committee about collapse, desperation, internal war, and decision making when history is already closing in.
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