The 1942 raid on Dieppe was an attempt to test the enemy readiness, and take some pressure off the Russian front. It was a costly disaster, but lessons learned there were of the utmost importance to the D-Day planning. After a massive build up of men and materials the D-Day landings finally took place in Normandy on 6th June 1944. Despite vicious battles and stubborn resistance, within 12 weeks the Allied invaded Paris. To compound the enemy’s problems, the allies invaded the South of France and rapidly advanced northwards. In desperation Hitler released his secret weapons the V1 and V2 over Britain. Slowly but steadily the Allies advanced through Belgium and Holland, and despite setbacks at Arndem and in the Ardennes, finally reached the shores of the Rhine. After a hazardous crossing they finally advanced to meet the victorious Russian Army. Hitler, Mussolini and their cohorts were all dead or captured, and the war was over, at the cost of millions of human lives.