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Although Berlin held little military value, as the capital city and the home to Hitler, it had enormous symbolic value. In the years to come, many American officials came to regret leaving Berlin for the Soviets, as the city became the seat of Cold War tension. Despite no hope for victory, Hitler was determined not to go down without a fight. Berlin would be defended to the last man, he ordered. It would be turned into a veritable fortress of concrete and steel.
