End of WW II in Europe After D-Day After the Allies landed in Normandy, they began to drive the Germans out of France. Meanwhile, the Russians were pushing them back from the East. Germany was in a vice. Allied Bombing The Allies began to bomb German cities (civilians). Do you think that bombing civilians was/is justified during war? B-17 (Flying Fortress) B-29 (Super Fortress) Fire Bombing of Dresden British and US mission New Technology Radar—to detect planes. Sonar—to detect subs. Allowed the allies to get more supplies across the Atlantic. Jet Engine Nazi Jet Bombs V-1 Nazi Jet Bombs V-2 Nazi Jet Plane The German’s Last Offensive As the Allies began to get close to Germany, the Nazis launched a last offensive. In Belgium (December of 1944). Known as The Battle of the Bulge. Despite tremendous losses, the Allies eventually win and head into Germany. Battle of the Bulge The Fall of Nazi Germany As the British and US approached from the West, the Russians were closing in from the East. The Russians fought with great ferocity because of the suffering they had gone through. As both sides approached Berlin (the German capital), the US slowed down so the Russians could take the city. Hitler killed himself on April 30,1945. Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945 (V-E Day) Russians Liberate Nazi Death Camps Russians Liberate Death Camps The US and the Holocaust US did little to try to end the Holocaust. Would not bomb camps or railroads leading to camps. US leaders felt it was better to focus on defeating Germany and that that would end it. Death of FDR FDR died of a cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1945. He had been elected President a record 4times. He served 13 years. The new President was his VP—Harry S. Truman. New Products