Journey to freedom: US Army and the liberation of Central Germany in 1945

Journey to freedom: US Army and the liberation of Central Germany in 1945

The liberation of Leipzig by the US Army in 1945 is a historical event that has faded into the background in recent decades. On April 20, 1945, the city fell into the hands of American soldiers, a few days after the liberation of Halle and Magdeburg. In order to devote more attention to this important chapter of history, a comprehensive exhibition entitled “From D-Day to Elbe Day” is currently being presented in the Capa House. This runs until July 31, 2025 and is accessible to visitors free of charge.

The exhibition, created by the non-profit organization Capa Culture gGmbH, traces the path of the US Army from D-Day, June 6, 1944, to the surrender of the Nazis on May 8, 1945. A central role is played by a digital map that shows the military advance chronologically and allows visitors to find out more about over 90 locations in the region. Simon Raulf, project manager, describes this commitment as an opportunity to shed light on an “undiscovered chapter” that is often forgotten due to the GDR's one-sided remembrance policy.

Focus on the Central German area

The exhibition particularly highlights the importance of the US Army for the liberation of Central Germany. Historical photographs and text articles accompany the digital map and give the information a tangible context. Among them is a photo of the American soldier Raymond J. Bowman, taken by Robert Capa on April 18, 1945. This picture shows the tragic last victim of the war, who died just two days before the liberation of Leipzig.

The Capa House exhibition focuses on the key milestones, such as the liberation of Leipzig on April 20th and “Elbe Day” on April 25th, when American and Soviet troops met. These historical moments are not only a source for defense stories, but also for social memorials that deal with the victims of National Socialism.

Interactive elements and the role of the media

In order to make the exhibition accessible to a younger audience, all information is available completely in English for the first time. An autoplay feature allows less tech-savvy visitors to easily explore the content. In addition, as part of a social media campaign “Road to Freedom – On the Trail of Liberation,” influencers such as Leon Ziegler and Alex Müller will document the route of the US soldiers from Normandy via Leipzig to Torgau. These initiatives have already received a high level of response, with hundreds of thousands of clicks.

The teaching materials provided on the website also create a connection to school education. The April issue of the kreuzer magazine focuses on the exhibition and the role of the Capa House, which arouses additional interest in this important historical topic.

The exhibition “From D-Day to Elbe Day” takes place in the Capa House at Jahnallee 61 in Leipzig and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on public holidays. The aim is to restore awareness of the US Army's role in the liberation in East Germany, as well Ahoy Leipzig and Cruiser Leipzig report.