The Last Days Of WWII

The Red Army's assault on Berlin begins. Meanwhile, Hitler, sealed away in his bunker, marks his 56th birthday. US General Alexander Patch's 7th Army captures the city of Nuremberg.

Berlin is reduced to rubble, setting the stage the for the Red Army's entry into the beleaguered city.

Berlin falls. Hitler, his wife of one day, Eva Braun, and some of his leading henchmen commit suicide.

After nearly six years of conflict and the death of millions, Germany surrenders unconditionally. The war in Europe is over at last. In London, Paris, New York and Moscow, people take to the streets in victory.

In Europe, the Nazi threat is all but gone as the 'Big 3' nations begin to tackle the problem of restructuring the shattered continent. In the Pacific, the situation in Okinawa has turned into a bloody stalemate.

Americans suffer terrible losses on Okinawa as they continue their advance. It's the last stepping stone on the way to mainland Japan. The Pacific island's capture is deemed absolutely vital by the Allied High Command.

US forces make further advances against the Japanese in the Philippines. Fanatical Japanese troops continue to hold out on the Pacific island of Okinawa. King Haakon of Norway makes a triumphant return to his country after five years of exile.

On Okinawa, U.S victory is now in sight. Japanese troops on the Pacific Island are mounting an increasingly desperate defense against the relentless advance of the U.S.

In the U.S. 4 million residents turn out to cheer Eisenhower as he makes a triumphal 35 mile motorcade around New York City. In the Philippines, the last port held by the Japanese, falls to US forces, who now make contact with Filipino guerrillas.

In the Great Sundra Islands, 33,000 Australian troops land at Balikpapan. Three escort carriers provide naval support. The Allies now control one of the richest oil-producing areas in Asia.

In IndoChina, Chinese forces seize the Tunchuk airbase and advance rapidly eastwards. They have now cut the last link between the Japanese army and the garrision. U.S. carrier-borne aircraft start raiding mainland Japan.

In Burma, 5000 Japanese troops trapped in the Pegu Hills, attempt to make a break east towards the Sittang river, but only a small number survive. In the Pacific, the biggest Allied naval re-supply operation of the war so far begins.

Allied naval and Air forces target Japanese aircraft factories at Hamamutsu and southern Honshu. In China, Japanese shipping on the Yangtze river is brought to a complete halt as the result of mines dropped from Allied planes.

In Japan, 325 planes from the US 5th and 7th Air Forces, based on Okinawa, raid Tarumizi in the south.Fat Boy, the world's first atom bomb is dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima from a specially modified B-29.

In Tokyo, the Japanese government at last accepts the inevitable and surrenders to the Allies unconditionally.