36 [World War II] - Fall Of The Reich

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[ A/N: The final historical chapter of this fanfic, rejoice and skip ahead!! ]

It was February 1945, and the Allied forces were gearing up for their land invasion of Germany. A fierce aerial bombardment had been launched to weaken the enemy's defense, with planes hovering over German skies, raining destruction upon the cities below. The skies were filled with the sounds of bombs exploding and the roar of fighter planes, as the Allies sought to cripple Germany's ability to fight back.

The Eastern Front was also seeing action, as the Germans launched one last offensive in the Lake Balaton area in March. But the Soviet forces, having already conquered much of the country, were ready and waiting. With overwhelming firepower and superior tactics, they easily repelled the German attack, securing their position on the front lines.

As the war neared its end, the situation for Germany grew increasingly bleak. Adolf Hitler, the infamous leader of the Nazi party, was already dead by the time Germany surrendered on May 8. He had taken his own life on April 30, deep within his bunker in Berlin, in a final act of desperation. Other high-ranking officials, such as Heinrich Himmler, the head of the notorious Schutzstaffel, also met the same fate, as Germany's dream of a Third Reich lay in tatters.

In the spring of 1945, after years of brutal conflict, Nazi Germany found itself on the brink of defeat. On May 9th of that year, one of the most significant moments of World War II occurred when German Field Marshall Wilhelm Keitel was summoned to Soviet headquarters in Berlin to sign the unconditional surrender of his country. The once-proud nation had been brought to its knees, its people and resources exhausted by years of war. Keitel's signature marked the end of the conflict in Europe and ushered in a new era for the continent, one marked by hope and the promise of lasting peace.

In the summer of 1945, the leaders of the victorious Allied powers gathered in Potsdam to decide the fate of the world after years of devastating war. Harry S. Truman, who had taken over as President of the United States following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, joined Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin in discussions about the war with Japan and the post-war settlement with Germany.

Amidst the talks, it was decided that Germany would be divided into four occupation zones, with each zone controlled by one of the four powers. However, the most contentious issue was the future of Eastern Europe. Despite Churchill and Truman's reservations, they ultimately acquiesced to Stalin's demands, as they knew they needed Soviet cooperation in the war against Japan.

The final stages of World War II saw some of the most brutal and costly battles in human history, none more so than the campaigns at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. As the war ground on, it became increasingly clear that a land invasion of Japan would be even more costly and deadly than these previous battles.

Faced with this sobering reality, President Truman made the difficult decision to authorize the use of a new weapon, one that had been developed through the tireless efforts of some of America's most brilliant minds, including Howard Stark. This weapon, known as the atomic bomb, would be unleashed on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in early August, ultimately bringing an end to the war in the Pacific.

Phastos, one of the Eternals known for his extraordinary inventiveness, felt a deep sense of remorse as he visited the ruins of Hiroshima in the aftermath of the bombing. As he gazed upon the devastation, he couldn't help but feel responsible for introducing advanced technology to humanity, which ultimately led to the creation of such a destructive weapon. The weight of guilt consumed him as he grappled with the devastating impact of his actions.

Overwhelmed by guilt and despair, Phastos made a solemn vow to never again aid or protect humanity, convinced that his gifts only brought destruction and suffering.

On August 10, 1945, the Japanese government issued a statement agreeing to the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. Finally, on September 2, General Douglas MacArthur presided over Japan's formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay. The historic moment marked the official end of World War II and the beginning of a new chapter in international relations.

After the conclusion of the war, Howard Stark embarked on a mission to locate Captain America, the renowned war hero. However, despite his best efforts, he was unable to locate the esteemed soldier. Nevertheless, during his search, he stumbled upon the Tesseract, a powerful object of otherworldly origin that had been lost to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, he discovered James, who had been cast away on a remote island.

The Second World War was an unparalleled catastrophe that ravaged the globe and shattered countless lives. Its destructive impact was felt on an unprecedented scale, with a staggering death toll that ranged from 35 to 60 million people. The ruthless actions of the Nazis alone resulted in the tragic loss of six million Jews, whose lives were cut short in a brutal campaign of genocide. The war left a trail of devastation in its wake, leaving countless individuals injured, traumatized, and displaced. Homes were reduced to rubble, communities were shattered, and entire cities were left in ruins.

In the aftermath of the war, justice was finally meted out to those who had perpetrated heinous crimes against humanity. Several key members of the Nazi political regime and military leadership were arrested and brought to trial at Nuremberg, one of the most significant trials in modern history. Among the most notorious of these was the former chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, General Wilhelm Keitel, who faced charges of Crimes against Humanity and Crimes against Peace. After a rigorous trial, Keitel, along with several other high-ranking officials such as Ernst Mueller, was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.

However, despite these convictions, a significant number of Nazi Party members were able to evade justice by fleeing to South America, where they lived out the rest of their days as fugitives from justice. The Nuremberg Trials served as a powerful reminder of the importance of holding those responsible for war crimes accountable for their actions, and of the resilience and determination of those who seek justice and peace in the wake of devastating conflict.

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