The Fighting in Europe - 1939 -1945

World War II dragged on for seven calendar years, beginning with the German invasion of Poland in Septmber 1939, and ending with the uncondtional surrender of Germany to the Soviet Union and Western Allies on May 1945. Its many battles and campaigns lasted various time periods; some just a day while others for months or years. In the interests of simplicity, the war is presented here on a yearly basis with each battle or campaign presented during the calendar year it began.

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Three soldiers stand abreast after just being decorated with the Iron Cross Second Class. This picture was likley taken in one of the countless and vast forests of the Eastern Front.
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