With the death of President Hindenburg on August 2, 1934, Hitler secured the highest designation in German Army. Under the Hitler guidance Germany became one of the powerful nations and in the opening years of World War II, Hitler's war machine won a series of stunning victories, conquering the great part of continental Europe. However, the tide turned in 1942 during Germany's disastrous invasion of the USSR.
By early 1945, the British and Americans were closing in on Germany from the west, the Soviets from the east, and Hitler was holed up in a bunker under the chancellery in Berlin awaiting defeat. On April 30, with the Soviets less than a mile from his headquarters, Hitler committed suicide with his mistress Eva Braun.
