1945 - The invasion of Germany

By the close of 1944, Allied forces were pushing towards the Rhine, meeting intense resistance by German units, notably at the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest, where 55,000 British and Canadian soldiers fought during its latter stages in January 1945. With the failure of the Ardennes Offensive, German forces retreated back towards the Siegfried Line on the Dutch-German border. By March 1945, after bitter fighting across the border and in the nearby forests, the Allies had pushed the Germans back over the River Rhine.

“Over the Rhine, then, let us go. And good hunting to you all on the other side.”

Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery in his message to 21st Army Group, March 1945.

Remembering VE and VJ Day

This year we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. VE and VJ Day signalled the end of the fighting and the arrival of peace. Sign up to our newsletter and find out how we're marking these anniversaries and see how you can get involved.

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WHERE WE COMMEMORATE
THE FALLEN

THE ARDENNES
TO THE RHINE

All images © IWM unless otherwise indicated.