Germany was initially split into four occupation zones. It took four years to combine the three western zones into the Federal Republic. The USSR responded by recognising its zone as the GDR.

Germany was the leading Axis power and the one conquered by advancing forces from both east and west. Its division had been agreed in 1944, with a French zone being added at Yalta.

Italy was remote from Soviet forces, while Japan surrendered to a US-led Supreme Command before Soviet forces reached its mainland.

Austria was also placed under four-power occupation, ending in 1955 with an agreement assuring the country's future neutrality.