<P> On 16 December 1944, Germany made a last attempt on the Western Front by using most of its remaining reserves to launch a massive counter-offensive in the Ardennes to split the Western Allies, encircle large portions of Western Allied troops and capture their primary supply port at Antwerp to prompt a political settlement . By January, the offensive had been repulsed with no strategic objectives fulfilled . In Italy, the Western Allies remained stalemated at the German defensive line . In mid-January 1945, the Soviets and Poles attacked in Poland, pushing from the Vistula to the Oder river in Germany, and overran East Prussia . On 4 February, Soviet, British and US leaders met for the Yalta Conference . They agreed on the occupation of post-war Germany, and on when the Soviet Union would join the war against Japan . </P> <P> In February, the Soviets entered Silesia and Pomerania, while Western Allies entered western Germany and closed to the Rhine river . By March, the Western Allies crossed the Rhine north and south of the Ruhr, encircling the German Army Group B, while the Soviets advanced to Vienna . In early April, the Western Allies finally pushed forward in Italy and swept across western Germany, while Soviet and Polish forces stormed Berlin in late April . American and Soviet forces met at the Elbe river on 25 April . On 30 April 1945, the Reichstag was captured, signalling the military defeat of Nazi Germany . </P> <P> Several changes in leadership occurred during this period . On 12 April, President Roosevelt died and was succeeded by Harry S. Truman . Benito Mussolini was killed by Italian partisans on 28 April . Two days later, Hitler committed suicide, and was succeeded by Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz . </P> <P> German forces surrendered in Italy on 29 April . Total and unconditional surrender was signed on 7 May, to be effective by the end of 8 May . German Army Group Centre resisted in Prague until 11 May . </P>

When was world war 2 first called world war 2