Invasion of Munich by the US Army in 1945

This film was shot by Signal Corps cameramen who entered the city of Munich with the first American troops on 30 April 1945 during the final days of the Second World War in Germany. At the beginning, the advance into the western suburbs of Untermenzing, Obermenzing and Allach is shown. The slave labour camp in Allach is liberated. The troops then advance along Dachauer Strasse into the city centre. The formal handover of the town to the American troops is shown. The last sequence shows people, presumably mainly forced labourers deported to Munich, who greet the American troops enthusiastically or at least with relief. Film length 8:58.

Historical background

On 30 April 1945, units of the Rainbow Division reached the Bavarian capital, which was being defended by German troops at the time. It was a significant moment in the city’s history, as the liberation of Munich marked the collapse of Nazi rule in the region.

The American troops were greeted enthusiastically by the people of Munich and there were cheering crowds in many places. The liberation brought a wave of relief and hope to residents who had suffered under the years of Nazi rule.

After the liberation of Munich, the Rainbow Division troops continued their advance southwards through Germany and reached Austria. The end of the Second World War came one week after the occupation of Munich with the surrender of the German Reich on 8 May 1945.