World War II
The Japanese victories were stopped in 1942, and the Soviets won the huge Battle of Stalingrad in 1943. Then, the Allies started to win in all areas. The Axis were forced back from the Soviet Union, lost North Africa, and, starting in 1943, were forced to defend Italy. Allied forces had a hard time pushing into Italy due to its vast defensive system. In 1944, the Allies invaded France. They came into Germany itself from the West, while the Soviets came in from the East. Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945.