re: How intense was the Battle of Berlin?

A lot of the Russian casualties were incurred because of the way their officers made them fight. There were political commisars in the front lines with orders to shoot any soldier who was not advancing. This started at Stalingrad & continued all the way into Berlin. As noted, companies were made to charge through mine fields so that their comrades behind them could advance. But the rape of Berlin was every bit as big as the Japanese rape of Nanking. The hate between the two countries was like nothing else seen in warfare before or since.