April 29
Politics, Germany
Adolf Hitler, now confined to the 'Führerbunker' behind the Reichs Chancellery, orders Colonel General Ritter von Greim to leave Berlin and arrest Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS, for his attempts to seek peace with the Allies. Greim had been appointed commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe on the 23rd following Hermann Goering's attempt to negotiate with the Allies on his behalf. Hitler publishes his 'Political Testament,' in which he blames international Jewry for the outbreak of the war. He nominates Admiral Karl Doenitz as his successor, and marries his long-time mistress, Eva Braun.

Politics, Italy
As a result of behind-the-scenes dealings between Karl Wolff, senior commander of the SS and police in Italy, and Allen Dulles, head of the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in Switzerland, Wolff and General Heinrich von Vietinghoff, German commander-in-chief in Italy, sign the instrument of unconditional surrender in northern Italy, to come into affect on May 2. The Swiss, the Allies, and many Germans and Italians in Italy have been concerned about a drawn-out campaign in Hitler's 'Alpine Fortress,' and the probable destruction of north Italy's industry as a result of Hitler's scorched earth policy.

Eastern Front, Germany
The trapped German force around Frankfurt-an-der-Oder attempts to break out of its pocket to reach Berlin. This results in three days of savage fighting in which it is annihilated. Of its original strength of 200,000 men, 60,000 are killed, and 120,000 taken prisoner. Only small groups succeed in slipping through Soviet lines.

Home Front, Holland
The RAF begins dropping food supplies to alleviate the plight of the country's starving civilians.

April 30
Politics, Germany
Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun commit suicide in the Führerbunker in Berlin. Hitler shoots himself, while Braun takes poison. Their bodies are later cremated by the SS.

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