Supreme commander Stavka directive Nr. 11059 to the commander of the 1st Belorussian front for preparation and execution of the operation of capturing Berlin.

2nd April 1945

The Stavka of the Supreme commander orders:

1. To prepare and to implement the offensive operation with the objective to take the capital of Germany the city of Berlin and to reach Elbe no later than on the twelfth-fifteenth day of operation.
2. The main strike must be directed from the bridgehead on Oder river to the West of Kustrin by using the forces of four combined and two tank armies. Bring five to six artillery divisions to the breakthrough region to create a density of no less than 250 barrels per 1km of 76mm guns and higher.
3. To support the main group of the front, perform two supporting strikes from the North and South with forces of two armies each. The first one from Bervalde in the general direction towards Eberswalde, Ferbellin. The second from the bridgeheads on river Oder to the North and South from Frankfurt-on-Oder to the general direction towards Furstenwalde, Potsdam, Brandenburg to surpass Berlin from South.
4. Tank armies must be sent in the direction of main strike after defenses will be breached, to facilitate the success of surpassing Berlin from North and North-East.
5. The army of the second echelon must be used to facilitate the success in the main direction.
6. Delimiting lines:
   With the 2nd Belorussian front according to the Stavka directive Nr.110531 ОП 1.04.1945;
   With the first Ukrainian front from 15.04.1945 until Unrushtadt - as before, then lake Ensdorfer-Ze, Gross-Gastroze, Lubben (all points except Lubben for the 1st Belorussian front inclusive)
7. The responsibility for ensuring joints with the 2nd Belorussian front and 1st Ukrainian fronts are the same.
8. Operation start is in accordance with instructions received personally by you.

Stavka of the Supreme Commander.
J. Stalin, A. Antonov.