1945German
Stuka dive-bombers (Junkers Ju 87, known in German as Sturzkampfflugzeug, which translates literally to "plunging combat aircraft"), with a fighter escort, conduct a raid on Malta. A total of 13 German planes are shot down while the British lose 2 fighters. British authorities decide to withdraw all bombers and flying boats from Malta as a result of the raid.
[
Two Stukas in action]
1945The British 2nd Army and Canadian 1st Army mount a carefully prepared
Operation Plunder, to cross the Rhine River in the area from Emmerich to just south of Wesel. There is massive artillery and air support. Two parachute divisions are also to be dropped to aid the crossing. The operation begins at 2100 hours and continues in the moonlight. Meanwhile, US 1st Army and the elements of US 3rd Army are extending their bridgeheads over the Rhine. Within a week of the start of Plunder, the Allies had taken 30,000 prisoners of war north of the Ruhr.
[
Crossing the Rhine under fire]
