End of the War in EuropeEnd of the War in Europe

• ““Race to Berlin”Race to Berlin”– US and Soviet troops try to get to Berlin US and Soviet troops try to get to Berlin

first first •US from West/Russia from EastUS from West/Russia from East

• April 30/May 1, 1945- Hitler commits April 30/May 1, 1945- Hitler commits suicide inside bunker in Berlinsuicide inside bunker in Berlin

• Günsche exited the study and announced that the Führer Günsche exited the study and announced that the Führer was dead. Immediately afterwards, several people in the was dead. Immediately afterwards, several people in the bunker began smoking cigarettes (which had been bunker began smoking cigarettes (which had been forbidden, given Hitler's strong dislike for smoking).[14][15] forbidden, given Hitler's strong dislike for smoking).[14][15] Several witnesses said the two bodies were carried up to Several witnesses said the two bodies were carried up to ground level and through the bunker's emergency exit to a ground level and through the bunker's emergency exit to a small, bombed-out garden behind the Chancellery where small, bombed-out garden behind the Chancellery where they were doused with petrol and set alight by Linge and they were doused with petrol and set alight by Linge and members of Hitler's personal SS bodyguard. Someone was members of Hitler's personal SS bodyguard. Someone was heard to shout: 'Hurry upstairs, they're burning the heard to shout: 'Hurry upstairs, they're burning the boss!'[11] The SS guards and Linge later noted the fire did boss!'[11] The SS guards and Linge later noted the fire did not completely destroy the corpses but Soviet shelling of not completely destroy the corpses but Soviet shelling of the bunker compound made further cremation attempts the bunker compound made further cremation attempts impossible and the remains were later covered up in a impossible and the remains were later covered up in a shallow bomb crater after 18:00. shallow bomb crater after 18:00.

• May 7- German surrenderMay 7- German surrender• May 8- VE DayMay 8- VE Day (days of celebration, remembrance, (days of celebration, remembrance,

mourning)mourning)

War in the PacificWar in the Pacific

• 1941-1942: Japan advances 1941-1942: Japan advances – General MacArthur forced to evacuate General MacArthur forced to evacuate

Philippines (vows return)Philippines (vows return)• Troops had been evacuated to Bataan Troops had been evacuated to Bataan

Peninsula, hoping for Navy rescue Peninsula, hoping for Navy rescue (never happens)(never happens)

• MacArthur ordered to escape to MacArthur ordered to escape to AustraliaAustralia

• Bataan Death March- 76,000 Bataan Death March- 76,000 American and Filipino POWs ordered American and Filipino POWs ordered to march 60 miles to railroadto march 60 miles to railroad– No food or water- many died or were No food or water- many died or were

executed for not keeping up!executed for not keeping up!– 11,000 deaths11,000 deaths

End this dayEnd this day

• (discuss Japanese view on POWs)(discuss Japanese view on POWs)

Battle of the Coral SeaBattle of the Coral Sea

• Probably a ‘draw’Probably a ‘draw’• 2 Japanese aircraft carriers destroyed2 Japanese aircraft carriers destroyed• US stops Japanese advance on US stops Japanese advance on

AustraliaAustralia

USS Lexington- “abandon USS Lexington- “abandon ship!”ship!”