German
During World War II, the German army (Wehrmacht), led by Adolf Hitler, launched a series of rapid invasions across Europe, beginning with Poland in 1939, which started the war. Using blitzkrieg tactics, Germany quickly conquered much of Europe, including France in 1940. In 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, but the campaign stalled after major defeats at Stalingrad and Kursk. As the war turned, Germany faced Allied advances from both east and west. By May 1945, with Berlin captured and Hitler dead, the German army surrendered, marking the end of the war in Europe.
