The British cross the Rhine near Wesel

© Kruse German soldiers surrender to British troops

On 24 March 1945 British troops force their way across the Rhine near Wesel. Along the broadest possible front a rapid Allied advance into Germany east of the Rhine begins immediately. South of the Main, American and French troops advance through Hessia. By late March, Frankfurt on the Main, Wiesbaden and Mannheim are occupied. Meanwhile a gigantic battle of encirclement takes place in the Ruhr District. By mid-April Army Group B, which is encircled by the Americans, is forced to capitulate in stages. Near Torgau on the Elbe, American and Soviet troops make first contact on 25 April 1945.