Video: 'Battle For Aachen (1944)'

(Saturday, October 21, 1944, 12:06 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Aachen, part of World War II) — The last despairing opposition in the desert of death and strewn ruins that used to be the prosperous city of Aachen, Germany, broke down suddenly today as the German commander signed an unconditional surrender order and handed himself, his staff and about 1,000 surviving German soldiers. It was the first city on German soil to be captured by the Allies.

Video: 'Liberation of Belgrade (1944)'

(Friday, October 20, 1944; during the Belgrade Offensive, part of the Yugoslav and Eastern fronts of World War II) — Russian and Yugoslav troops today captured the Yugoslav capital of Belgrade, annihilating its Axis garrison in savage street battles. They also liberated the city of Dubrovnik.

Video: 'Allied Newsreel - MacArthur Lands at Leyte, Philippines 1944'

(Friday, October 20, 1944, 1:30 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Leyte, part of the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — American forces landed on Red Beach in Palo, Leyte, today as General Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines, fulfilling his promise to return to the area he was forced to flee in 1942. Continue reading MacArthur fulfills promise, returns to the Philippines 70 years ago this hour (Oct 20 1944) →

Video: 'Nazi Secrets:The Desert Fox(full documentary)HD' (Oct. 14, 1944, at 43:05)

(Saturday, October 14, 1944, 1:25 p.m. CET; during World War II) — German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, popularly known as the Desert Fox, committed suicide today rather than face trial and certain execution for allegedly conspiring against Adolf Hitler. Continue reading German Field Rommel commits suicide to avoid trial, certain execution 70 years ago this hour (Oct 14 1944) →

(Tuesday, October 3, 1944; during the Battle of Aachen of World War II) — U.S. Army troops cracked the Siegfried Line, a line of defensive forts and tank defenses built by Germany during World War I, today north of Aachen, Germany.

Video: 'The Lost Evidence: Operation Market Garden (HD - FULL)' (Sept. 25, 1944, at 39:25)

(Monday, September 25, 1944, 10:00 p.m. local time; during the Operation Market Garden, part of the Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine during World War II) — Operation Market Garden, an Allied military operation fought in the Netherlands and Germany and the largest airborne operation up to that time, ended today when the remaining British 1st Airborne Division on the Lower Rhine at Oosterbeek were ordered evacuated. Continue reading Operation Market Garden ends in failure 70 years ago tonight (Sep 25 1944) →

Video: 'The World At War: Occupation Holland 5/5' (Sept. 17, 1944, at 5:26)

(Sunday, September 17, 1944; during World War II) — The Dutch Government in London ordered a railway strike in support of Operation Market Garden, a plan to secure seven bridges and transport lines to the rail bridge across the Rhine at Arnhem. Continue reading Dutch railway workers strike in support of Operation Market Garden 70 years ago today (Sep 17 1944) →

Video: 'World War II Pacific Peleliu'

(Friday, September 15, 1944, 8:32 a.m. PWT; during the Battle of Peleliu, part of the Pacific War of World War II) — U.S. Marines landed today in the Palau Islands, launching the Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II, fought to capture an airstrip on the small coral island. Continue reading Americans invade Japanese-occupied Palau Islands 70 years ago this hour (Sep 15 1944) →

Video: 'Bevrijding 1944 Maastricht - www.zeuk.nl'

(Thursday, September 14, 1944; during World War II) — Maastricht today became the first Dutch city to be liberated by allied forces. Continue reading Allies liberate first Dutch city (Maastricht) 70 years ago today (Sep 14 1944) →