When POWs awoke at Stalag Luft I on May 1, 1945, the German guards had disappeared and a hand sewn Stars and Stripes replaced the swastika on the flagpole. The Red Army arrived a day later.

The death of Benito Mussolini on April 28, 1945 was characterized “A fitting end to a wretched life,” by The New York Times.

Building a Collection of World War II aircraft 60 years after the war has been a challenging aspect of building the Museum collection.

A collection of German pistols captured by a paratrooper featured in one of the most iconic photographs of World War II.

April 17 was a fateful day for Capt. Harold Romm. On April 17, 1943 he was shot down and became a German POW. Two years later, on the same day, he became a free man, liberated from Stalag XIII-D by American troops.

Newspaper correspondent Ernie Pyle became a national folk hero by reporting on the average soldier in World War II.

For years, Jeff Taddeo kept a grocery bag filled with his grandfather’s WWII letters on a shelf in his home. With help from The National WWII Museum, he is preserving and sharing this treasured family history, and hopes others can benefit from his experience.
 

In 1945, The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Station Chief Allen Dulles in Switzerland negotiated the early surrender of German forces in Italy and Austria days before the final surrender of Germany, saving many lives.

The Ruhr Pocket campaign of April 1945 ended Germany's hopes—and established the US Army.

The Captain is a dark, brutal film which looks at WWII's final days from the perspective of German soldiers behind the frontlines.

We look back at some of the best author events at The National WWII Museum.

We feature some loyal companions, adopted friends, and loved animals by WWII servicemen and women in honor of National Pet Day.