Nazi defeat

In the USSR, the German defeat came once they attacked Stalingrad (Volgograd) in spring of 1942. The Soviets practised the scorched-earth policy. After a long battle (until February 1943) it was the definitive Soviet victory over the Germans, who had to retreat from the USSR. After the German defeat in Stalingrad (USSR) the front moved westwards and Germany began to be massively bombed. Leningrad was liberated in January 1944. The Red Army kept fighting and gradually forced the Germans back but at great cost. Twenty million Soviets died and 75% of the German forces were lost, allowing time for Britain and the USA to build up forces and to prepare an attack in the west.

After 1942 German forces were retreating and Italian forces were completely defeated.

D – Day landings took place on the 6th June - 1944, with US General Eisenhower in command. One million allied troops landed on five Normandy beaches in ten days.  At  the  same  time,  the Soviet Union started a massive offensive to prevent Hitler transferring German forces to the West.

Paris was liberated in August.

 In December 1944, the Battle of the Bulge, the last German offensive, slowed the allied advance but it was quickly defeated. In April 1945 allied advances continued and the Russians attacked Berlin from the East. Finally Adolf Hitler committed suicide on the 30th   April 1945.

 On the 7th of May Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies.