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Allied troops successfully liberated Paris from German occupation, boosting morale and signaling a turning point in the war in Western Europe.
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The last major German offensive on the Western Front was launched in the Ardennes, but Allied forces ultimately repelled the attack, hastening the collapse of Nazi Germany.
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Allied forces launched a massive invasion of Nazi-occupied France on the beaches of Normandy, marking the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe.
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Allied leaders met to discuss post-war plans and the reorganization of Europe, shaping the political landscape of the continent after the conflict.
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Allied forces conducted a controversial bombing campaign on the German city of Dresden, causing extensive destruction and civilian casualties, which raised ethical questions about wartime tactics.
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Soviet troops launched a final offensive against Berlin, leading to intense urban warfare and the eventual fall of the German capital.
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Adolf Hitler took his own life in his bunker as Soviet forces closed in on Berlin, signaling the imminent defeat of Nazi Germany.
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Germany officially surrendered to the Allies, marking the end of the war in Europe and leading to celebrations of Victory in Europe Day.