An American mortar crew fires on German positions along the banks of the Rhine River on March 24, 1945. 
  The Americans fired more than 65,000 rounds of numerous calibers during efforts to soften the Germans up prior to crossing the Rhine.

Soften up German resistance

Young German soldiers - hungry and cold - taken captive by US Forces in the early part of 1945.

It is over for them

GIs from Company I, 23rd Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division advance near enemy pillboxes blown up by the Germans to prevent their use by the Americans; France, 1945.