73 years ago today, the liberation of Europe began.

[Teeqoz]

barneystinson69 said:

Leadified said:
I don't think this thread title is accurate, even if you only consider the Western Allies. The Invasion of Italy started a year earlier which knocked Italy out of the war and opened a new front that allowed D-Day to be possible.

At best, it was on shaky ground. Yes, they liberated Rome on June 4th, but for the most part the allies were still fighting in Italy when Germany surrendered. The front that allowed the allies to reach Berlin (and knock germany out of the war) was established on D-Day.

No, the front that allowed the allies to reach Berlin was established the moment Hitler attacked the Soviet Union... I have huge respect for the efforts of the western allies, but the allies literally rushed past occupied territory to make sure the USSR didn't reach Berlin alone.