Good write up Eastern....
Just like to add,
Apparently the reason Russia entered the war was because Hitler was told the Russians would be a big force in the future. Some say it was Churchill who convinced Hitler to move most of his army towards the Russian front, some say otherwise, either way, Hitler fell for it.
It's also said Churchill knew Hitler's forces were not trained for winter warfare, and this would give Russia the advantage over the Germans. As it happened it turned out to be true, the German guns were freezing up leaving them helpless in many situations and the Germans didn't have the clothing to combat the severe cold.
A mention should also go to the British 7th Armoured Brigade (Desert Rats) who were prominent in defeating the Germans in North Africa. The German Afrika Korp were supposed to be far superior.............obviously not.
The 8th Army were the main forces fighting in Africa, this was made up of units from the British Empire and all played a part in defeating Rommel in Africa, and winning the war.
The underground resistance, made up of Dutch, French, Polish, Soviet, Yugoslavs and others also deserve credit for their contributions to defeating Hitler, they were invaluable in the intelligence they gathered, fighting the Germans and helping airmen and soldiers get back to their own lines.
Another story would be about the Naval and Airforce heroics, but they too, from all nations who were fighting the Germans during WW2 were invaluable in their contribution to defeating Hitler and his so called superior forces.