End of World War II in Europe eventually fled Europe using ratlines such as ODESSA. German forces leave Finland: On 25 April 1945, the last German formations withdrew from Finnish Lapland into occupied Norway. On 27 April 1945, the Raising the Flag on the Three-Country Cairn photograph was taken. Mussolini's death: On 25 April 1945, Italian partisans liberated Milan and Turin. On 27 April 1945, as Allied forces closed in on Milan, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was captured by Italian partisans. It is disputed whether he was trying to flee from Italy to Switzerland (through the Splügen Pass), and was traveling with a German anti-aircraft battalion. On
Bombing of Schwäbisch Hall in World War II Bombing of Schwäbisch Hall in World War II Schwäbisch Hall, a historic German town, was attacked by 24 American Liberator bombers on 23 February 1945 during World War II. Three smaller attacks followed. On 25 February 1945, 53 civilians died and the old bridge collapsed. Then, and on 17 April 1945, the old Rathaus was reduced by incendiary bombs to rubble. Though several buildings were destroyed or damaged, the historical old town suffered comparatively little. Altogether, the great majority of houses in the city survived the war without any damage, so still today the spectacular medieval houses can be admired.