March-April 1945:
1. Rhine River Crossing: In March 1945, Allied forces launched a massive operation known as the Rhine River crossing. After a heavy bombardment, Allied troops successfully crossed the Rhine at several points, creating a significant breach in the German defenses.
2. Liberation of Concentration Camps: As Allied troops advanced into Germany, they discovered and liberated several Nazi concentration camps, including Buchenwald, Dachau, and Bergen-Belsen. The deplorable conditions and atrocities committed in these camps were revealed to the world, causing shock and outrage.
May 1945:
1. Battle of Berlin: By early May, Soviet troops had reached the outskirts of Berlin. Intense street fighting ensued as German forces defended the city. The Soviet Red Army eventually captured the German capital on May 2nd, 1945.
2. Suicide of Adolf Hitler: On April 30th, 1945, as Allied forces were closing in on Berlin, Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his underground bunker. His death marked a pivotal moment in the war, symbolizing the end of the Nazi regime.
June 1945:
1. German Surrender: On May 8th, 1945, Germany formally surrendered to the Allies, marking the end of World War II in Europe. The unconditional surrender was signed at Reims, France, and later ratified in Berlin on May 9th, 1945.
2. VE Day (Victory in Europe): Victory Day, or VE Day, was celebrated throughout the Allied nations on May 8th, 1945, to mark the end of the war in Europe.
These last three months were characterized by intense military operations, the liberation of concentration camps, and significant landmarks such as the crossing of the Rhine, the Battle of Berlin, and ultimately, the defeat of Nazi Germany. The end of World War II in Europe paved the way for the Potsdam Conference that laid the foundation for the post-war world and the challenges of rebuilding and reconciliation.