laborers, the former consisting mainly of Red Army soldiers who were very happy at their liberation. The liberated slaves also had a tendency to loot and terrorize the German population once released and to clog up the roads in front of the U.S. columns. The German civilians were incredulous at Germany's defeat. The Americans also witnessed the destruction inflicted on Ruhr cities and towns by the Allied bombing campaigns; in many cities the U.S. troops wrested control of there was nothing but rubble, block after block. However, most of the German industrial machinery, situated in protected or decentralized locations, had survived the onslaught, unharmed, or required only minor repairs. Such equipment was quickly made operational after its capture. References Citations Bibliography Conflicts in 1945 1945 in Germany Western European Campaign (1944–1945) 20th century in North Rhine-Westphalia Encirclements in World War II Rhine Province Province of Westphalia Land battles of World War II involving the United Kingdom March 1945 events in Europe April 1945 events in Europe