[Jason Weiser]

To me what happens in Berlin is not much...

1) All of the national contingents are offered safe passage out of West Berlin once the shooting begins in Germany. This is of course, a fairly clumsy attempt to divide NATO, but it works in one sense, the French take the Soviets up on their offer, and withdraw within days. The other two national contingents bulk up the West Berlin Police (who already had a role in defending the city) as best they can, and wait for the what they think is the inevitable Soviet assault.

2) The trouble is, the Soviets only have one Motor Rifle Brigade in East Berlin, the reduction of West Berlin in case of war was to be left to the East Germans..the same East Germans who are now joining their Western brethren in killing Soviet soldiers. The 6th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade is right now just trying to hold on in it's kaserne in Karlhorst, and there isn't much help coming. Some elements of the Grenztruppen, and the KdA remain loyal to the Communist cause, and supplement the defense of Karlhorst, but there aren't many of those..and the Soviets (rightfully so) don't trust them.

Therefore, the Soviets content themselves with cutting the rail and air links to the city where they can, but the blockade is porous due to the fact they simply do not have the troops to spare to put a ring around West Berlin. Eventually, when the Poles show up, they put a ring around Berlin, and relive 6th Guards, but that respite does not last long, as the US, British and Canadians enter the war in November, and the Poles are driven back, with the 6th again under siege in Karlhorst. This time, no help comes, and after a 8 day fight, the 6th surrenders with all honors to I British Corps.