Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 21-Nemesis:Germany(February-May 1945)' (Mar. 24, 1945, at 7:01)

(Saturday, March 24, 1945; on the Western Front of World War II) — The Allies today launched Operation Varsity, landing two airborne divisions on the eastern bank of the Rhine near the village of Hamminkeln and the town of Wesel to secure a foothold across the Rhine River in western Germany as part of Operation Plunder.

Involving more than 16,000 paratroopers and several thousand aircraft, it was the largest airborne operation in history to be conducted on a single day and in one location.

Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 19-Pincers(August 1944-March 1945)' (Mar. 24, 1945, at 51:16)

Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 19-Pincers(August 1944-March 1945)' (Mar. 23, 1945, at 52:12)

(Friday, March 23, 1945, 9:00 p.m. CET; on the Western Front of World War II) — The first part of Operation Plunder, coordinated crossings of Germany’s Rhine River, was initiated tonight by the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, led by the 7th Black Watch, near Rees, followed by the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 19-Pincers(August 1944-March 1945)' (Mar. 22, 1945, at 50:35)

(Thursday, March 22, 1945; on the Western Front of World War II) — As of today, no German soldier was fighting west of the Rhine River along Germany’s western border.

Video: '1945 - Nero Decree'

(Monday, March 19, 1945; during World War II) — Adolf Hitler ordered the destruction of German facilities that could fall into Allied hands today in his so-called “Nero Decree,” which was largely disregarded.

Video: 'The World At War Ep21 Nemesis' (Feb. 14, 1945, at 12:17 p.m. CET, at 1:17)

(Wednesday, February 14, 1945, 12:17 p.m. CET; during the Bombing of Dresden, part of strategic bombing during World War II) — American planes began bombing Dresden, Germany, this afternoon, following up on the previous night’s massive bombardment by Royal Air Force bombers. Continue reading Americans join massive bombardment of Dresden, Germany 70 years ago this hour (Feb 14 1945) →

Video: 'The soviet invasion of Hungary and the Siege of Budapest 1944-1945 Budapest Ostroma'

(Tuesday, February 13, 1945; during the Siege of Budapest, part of the Budapest Offensive on the Eastern front of World War II) — The Red Army today completed its conquest of Budapest, ending a 50-day siege of the battle-scarred capital of Axis Hungary.

Video: 'WW2: The Battle of the Bulge' (Dec. 26, 1944, at 33:34)

(Tuesday, December 26, 1944, 5:15 p.m. local time; during the Battle of the Bulge on the Western Front of World War II) — The embattled U.S. 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium, was relieved today by units of the 4th Armored Division. Continue reading U.S. 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne relieved 70 years ago this hour (Dec 26 1944) →