It was 60 years ago, in 1945, and World War II in Europe was bearing good news. American troops were at the gates of Berlin; the Russians were closing in from the East. The fighting was fierce, but it was obvious the Allies were winning.
But the dominant news during the month of April, 60 years ago, was the death of three of the most central leaders of that immense conflict. The first was a great shock to America, and a blow to American morale at a time of near victory. It was on April 12, 1945, that president Franklin D. Roosevelt complained of a terrific headache early in the afternoon, and he was dead of a cerebral hemorrhage before dark. Roosevelt was at Warm Springs, in Georgia, and the train carrying his body came through Gainesville on its way to Washington, D. C.
Fourteen days later, on April 28, 1945, the Italian people captured, tried and executed Benito Mussolini, the head of Italian Fascism. They hung his corpse by his heels in Milan, in Northern Italy, for all to see and pictures ran in newspapers around the world.
And then on April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide in Berlin, bringing to an end his Nazi regime with all its horrors. A week later Germany surrendered unconditionally.
Three of the primary players in the world's greatest war died in April, 1945, 60 years ago in this year of 2005. But the war was far from over. Battle-hardened American troops from Europe began their transfer to the Pacific, some gaining an opportunity for a leave at home, others going straight through the Panama Canal. 60 years ago this month.
This is Gordon Sawyer, from a window on historic Green Street.
Monday
January 27th, 2025
8:57AM
