March 1945, Britain and other countries allied force a river Rhine, advance to the German hinterland. In April, the U.S. military victory in the battle to obtain the Ruhr, 50-80 kilometers per day on the 11th arrived into the Elbe River. 18, the U.S. 9th Army occupied Magdeburg Elbe. 19, arrived in the British 2nd Army into the Elbe Lauenburg, the U.S. 1st Army occupation of Leipzig. At the same time, the Soviet Eastern on April 16 from west of the Oder river to launch a powerful offensive, the Battle of Berlin began captured. April 25, the U.S. 1st Army 69th Division in Berlin, a 120 km south of the Elbe River in Torgau region joined forces with the Soviets. The Soviet Union agreed, the two armies along the line the river Elbe and its tributaries join Mulder. Elbe to join forces, the Germans cut into two sections north and south, the anti-fascist Germany, East and West connection from two fronts. Joined forces to celebrate the Allied Elbe, Stalin ordered the Moscow airing salute, and issued "Red Army and Allied book", to pay tribute to the Red Army and allied forces. 
