The Western Allied invasion of Germany was coordinated by the Western Allies during the final months of hostilities in the European theatre of World War II. In preparation for the Allied invasion of Germany east of the Rhine, a series of offensive operations were designed to seize and capture its east and west banks: Operation Veritable and Operation Grenade in February 1945, and Operation Lumberjack and Operation Undertone in March 1945; these are considered separate from the main invasion operation. The Allied invasion of Germany east of the Rhine started with the Western Allies crossing the river on 22 March 1945 before fanning out and overrunning all of western Germany from the Baltic in the north to the Alpine passes in the south, where they linked up with troops of the U.S. Fifth Army in Italy. Combined with the capture of Berchtesgaden, any hope of Nazi leadership continuing to wage war from a so-called "national redoubt" or escape through the Alps was crushed, shortly followed by unconditional German surrender on 8 May 1945. This is known as the Central Europe Campaign in United States military histories.
M10 tank destroyer crossing the Saar, December 1944
After fall of Sogel, German prisoners are escorted by Canadian soldiers to P.O.W. cage, 10 april 1945
After fall of Sogel, Canadian troops evict civilians from their homes before razing the town in retaliation to alleged civilian resistance.
German children displaying surrender flag in Sogel, 10 april 1945
The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 BU4203
The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 B11927
After fall of Sogel, arrested German paratrooper is searched by Canadian troopers
.jpg&action=edit&redlink=1){kind=link}
