Editing Second World War (section)

== Axis collapse ==
Germany launched its last major western offensive in the Ardennes on 16 December 1944. The offensive failed by January 1945. The western Allies crossed the Rhine in March 1945 and advanced through western Germany.

Soviet forces entered Berlin in April 1945. Adolf Hitler died on 30 April 1945. German forces surrendered in the west on 7 May 1945 and in the east on 9 May 1945. In western Europe, 8 May became Victory in Europe Day.

Japan continued fighting after Germany's surrender. The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on 6 August 1945 and another on Nagasaki on 9 August 1945. The Soviet Union declared war on Japan on 8 August 1945 and attacked Japanese-held Manchuria on 9 August 1945.

Japan announced surrender on 15 August 1945. The formal surrender was signed on 2 September 1945 aboard USS ''Missouri''. This ended the Second World War.