1945, la chute du Reich

In June 1944, optimism was prevalent among the Allies. In the West, the Normandy landings were successful, and the advancing troops soon posed a threat to the German border. In the East, the Red Army launched an offensive through Operation Bagration, sweeping into Belarus and forcing the Wehrmacht into a severe retreat. It was a period marked by confidence, with the belief that "the war would be over before Christmas." However, the war continued for nearly another year, spanning eleven months of intense combat, marked by devastating battles and heinous war crimes. These eleven months brought fear and hope, challenging the certainties of leaders and disrupting the daily lives of soldiers. This period, filled with deadly conflict, left a lasting impact on both individuals and history.