In the last months of the war, SS (abbreviated Schutzstaffel, formerly a paramilitary organization in Nazi Germany) guards transferred camp prisoners on trains or forced marches, often referred to as "death marches," in an attempt to prevent the simultaneous release of large numbers of prisoners. As Allied forces moved around Europe, they began to release prisoners in concentration camps. The march continued until May 7, 1945, the day when the German armed forces surrendered unconditionally to the Allies. For the Western Allies, World War II in Europe officially ended the next day, May 8, but Soviet forces declared their "Victory Day" on May 9, 1945.…
