The Defeat of the Nazis: The Allied Victory in Europe

By the beginning of 1944 air warfare had turned overwhelmingly in favor of the Allies, who wrought destruction on German cities, transport, and industries throughout German-held Europe. This prepared the war for the landing of the Allies in northern France on June 6, 1944. After heavy fighting in Normandy, Allied armored divisions swept through western Europe, clearing most of France and Belgium of German forces by October 1944. Hitler's troubles were compounded when Russian armies swept through from the east reaching Berlin on April 21, 1945. Germany surrendered on May 7. The following day was celebrated as Victory in Europe Day. The war was over.