Category Archives: World War II

Hitler learns Himmler negotiating German surrender to Western Allies 80 years ago this hour (Apr 28 1945)

1940s, World War II

Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 21-Nemesis:Germany(February-May 1945)' (Apr. 28, 1945, at 34:13)

(Saturday, April 28, 1945, approximately 7:00 p.m. CEST; during the Battle of Berlin on the Eastern Front during World War II) — German fascist dictator Adolf Hitler learned today (from a BBC report originating from Reuters) that Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, who had left Berlin on April 20, 1945, was trying to discuss surrender terms with the Western Allies through Count Folke Bernadotte. Continue reading Hitler learns Himmler negotiating German surrender to Western Allies 80 years ago this hour (Apr 28 1945) →

Deposed Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, mistress executed 80 years ago this hour (Apr 28 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The Final Moments Of Benito Mussolini'

(Saturday, April 28, 1945, 4:10 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — Deposed Italian fascist dictator (and strong ally of German Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler) Benito Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci, were summarily executed today near Lake Como by Italian partisans as they attempted to flee the country. Continue reading Deposed Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, mistress executed 80 years ago this hour (Apr 28 1945) →

Nazi concentration sub-camps Landsberg, Kaufering liberated 80 years ago today (Apr 27 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'A US soldier talks with liberated prisoners at a Nazi concentration camp in Lands...HD Stock Footage'

(Friday, April 27, 1945; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — The remaining 3,000 inmates, including 1,400 women, at the Nazi concentration camp Landsberg, a sub-camp of the Dachau concentration camp located in southwest Bavaria, Germany, about 65 kilometers west of Munich, was liberated today by the 12th Armored Division of the United States Army. Continue reading Nazi concentration sub-camps Landsberg, Kaufering liberated 80 years ago today (Apr 27 1945) →

Vichy leader Philippe Petain arrested after crossing into France from Switzerland 80 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Marshal Petain’s Fall From Grace | Historical Documentary | Lucasfilm'

(Thursday, April 26, 1945, 8:00 p.m. Central European Summer Time; during World War II) — Marshal Henri Philippe Petain, the former head of the collaborationist regime of Vichy France during World War II, was arrested tonight when he returned to French territory after crossing the Swiss frontier at La Ferriere sous Joigne.

Stimson briefs Truman on ‘most terrible weapon ever known’ 80 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II

Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (Apr. 25, 1945, at 9:50)

(Wednesday, April 25, 1945, 12 noon EWT; during World War II) — U.S. Secretary of War Henry Stimson briefed President Harry Truman today about the possibility of an atomic weapon, outlined the history and status of the program and predicted that “within four months we shall in all probability have completed the most terrible weapon ever known in human history” (click here for a clip of Apr. 24-25, 1945, on “American Experience: Truman” at 1:40:57). Continue reading Stimson briefs Truman on ‘most terrible weapon ever known’ 80 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1945) →

U.S. and Soviet troops link up, cutting Nazi Germany in two 80 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1945)

1940s, World War II

Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 21-Nemesis:Germany(February-May 1945)' (U.S. and Soviet troops link up at 51:49)

(Wednesday, April 25, 1945, 4:40 p.m. Central European Summer Time; on the Western Front and Eastern Front during World War II) — The Soviets, advancing from the East, and the Americans, advancing from the West, met today at the River Elbe, near Torgau in Germany, a meeting that dramatized the collapse of Nazi Germany’s defenses. Continue reading U.S. and Soviet troops link up, cutting Nazi Germany in two 80 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1945) →

U.S. Secretary of War Henry Stimson requests meeting with President Truman to discuss ‘highly secret matter’ 80 years ago today (Apr 24 1945)

1940s, World War II

Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (Apr. 24, 1945, at 8:55)

(Tuesday, April 24, 1945; during World War II) — U.S. Secretary of War Henry Simson wrote a memo today to President Harry Truman about the urgent need to discuss a “highly secret matter,” the atomic bomb.

Eyewitnesses provide filmed testimonies of Nazi atrocities 80 years ago today (Apr 24 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Memory of the Camps (full documentary) | FRONTLINE' (Apr. 24, 1945, at 19:29/27:57)

(Tuesday, April 24, 1945; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — Eyewitnesses today provided filmed testimonies of the Nazi concentration camp Bergen-Belsen, liberated Apr. 15, 1945, in Lower Saxony in northern Germany, southwest of the town of Bergen near Celle, by British and Canadian troops. Continue reading Eyewitnesses provide filmed testimonies of Nazi atrocities 80 years ago today (Apr 24 1945) →

U.S. President Truman confronts Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov on Poland 80 years ago this hour (Apr 23 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II

Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (Apr. 22 1945, at 6:47)

(Monday, April 23, 1945, 5:30 EWT; during World War II) — U.S. President Harry Truman met today at the White House with Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov and demanded that Russia bide by the Yalta agreement to hold free elections in Poland (click here for a clip of this day on “American Experience: Truman” at 1:38:58).

Nazi concentration camp Flossenbürg liberated 80 years ago today (Apr 23 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Liberation of Flossenburg Concentration Camp'

(Monday, April 23, 1945; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — The remaining 3,000 inmates, including 1,400 women, at the Nazi concentration camp Flossenbürg in the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria, Germany, near the border with Czechoslovakia, were liberated today by the U.S. Army. Continue reading Nazi concentration camp Flossenbürg liberated 80 years ago today (Apr 23 1945) →