Victory and Beyond The End of World War II The photographs in this presentation are from the AP Photo Archives.

In 1944, Hitler’s reign of terror in Europe was in full force. Axis forces were still in control of much of Europe.

The “beginning of the end” of World War II came with the invasion of Normandy by the Allied Forces. This massive invasion was planned by the leader of the Allied Forces in Europe, America’s General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The weather was bad, and the German forces were entrenched on the beaches when Allied Forces landed. D-Day, June 6, Fighting was fierce. 637,000 men were killed wounded or captured during the battle of Normandy.

Though Allied losses were enormous, the invasion was a success. During the next eight months the Allies fought east to Germany. General Dwight Eisenhower led the Allied invasion of Europe. The Allies landed at Normandy, France.

The Soviet Army moved west pushing the German forces back toward Germany.

The Allies squeezed Germany from two directions. Click hereClick here for a map

Germany surrendered on May 8, An American jeep drives through a German street. White flags of surrender fly from houses.

May 8, 1945 VE-Day Victory in Europe!

People celebrated at home…

…and around the world.

Allied Troops Make Terrible Discoveries They found concentration camps. Here the Germans enslaved and murdered their enemies. About 12 million men, women, and children died in these camps. 6 million of those victims were Jews.

Some of the prisoners were still alive. They were starved and sick… …but they were very happy to see their liberators.

Today, the terrible events of the Holocaust are remembered in museums and memorials around the world. The attempt to destroy the Jewish people is called the “Holocaust.”

Troops return to America on board the Queen Mary.

Families anxiously awaited the return of their husbands, sons, fathers and brothers!

But, the war in the Pacific was not over. There were battles at sea…

…and on the beaches.

American troops landed on many islands in the Pacific.

One major battle was on the island of Iwo Jima.

Marines landed and fought a battle suffering huge casualties.

As the Marines won the terrible battle, they planted the American flag.

Do you recognize this famous photograph?

It may seem familiar because of a famous statue in Washington D.C. We remember the brave veterans of Iwo Jima with this memorial.

The costs of invading the Japanese-held islands were severe. Thousands of American soldiers were killed or wounded. The costs of invading Japan itself would be even worse.

President Harry Truman decided to use a new weapon, the atomic bomb. He hoped this would shorten the war and save hundreds of thousands of lives.

On August 6, 1945, a single airplane, the Enola Gay, dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan

Japan surrendered on August 15 th, 1945.

Finally, World War II Was Over!

VJ-Day!

At last, they came home for good.

We remember our veterans on Memorial Day and on the Fourth of July, we celebrate the freedoms they defended.

Victory for the Allies…

…and for Freedom!