Air Operations, Carolines

Operating temporarily from Guam, the 20th Air Force’s 414th Fighter Group, in P-47s, makes it combat debut in an attack against the Truk Atoll.

Air Operations, CBI

• 14 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 12 14th Air Force P-51s attack anti-aircraft batteries, bridges, rail yards, and targets of opportunity at Anyang, Do Cam in French Indochina, and Puchi.
• 33 P-38s and P-51s attack a variety of targets in northern French Indochina and southern and eastern China.
• 14 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack a small-arms plant in Canton that has been attacked many times as a secondary target by 63rd Heavy Bomb Squadron SB-24s.

Air Operations, East Indies

XIII Fighter Command P-38s attack artillery positions at Miri and sweep southwestern Celebes.

Air Operations, Formosa

• V Bomber Command B-24s attack boatyards at Suo.
• 3rd Light Bombardment Group A-26s attack rail yards at Karenko.

Air Operations, Japan

Bad weather prevents the opening of an offensive by Task Force 38 carrier aircraft against hitherto untouched targets on Hokkaido and northern Honshu. During the night 6th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s sow mines in Shimonoseki Strait and off Fukuoka.

Air Operations, Korea

During the night 6th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s sow mines in off Masan, Reisui, and Seishin.

Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command B-24s, B-25s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers fighter-bombers attack pockets of resistance and troop concentrations on Luzon.

Diplomatic Relations

Italy declares war on Japan.

The Japanese ambassador in Moscow, Naotake Sato, meets with the Soviet foreign minister, Molotov, and discusses possible peace initiatives with the Allies that do not involve Japan's unconditional surrender.

Germany, Home Front

Berlin's municipal council confiscates all property held by members of the Nazi party.

Pacific

The US Government admits responsibility for the sinking, in error, of the Japanese relief ship Awa Maru.

Philippines

On Mindanao the Americans continue to make progress in the Sarangani Bay area.

Images from July 13, 1945

Robert Oppenheimer Overseeing the Final Assembly of the Trinity Gadget, 13 July 1945

Final Assembly of the Trinity Gadget

'WEATHER WITCH' after a take off accident at Guam on 13 July 1945. It was replaced by 'WEATHER WITCH II', 44-51122

Accident on Guam

German refugees moving west, Bamberg, 13 July 1945

German Refugees Moving West

Balikpapan area, Borneo, 13 July 1945. Members of D Subsection, E Troop, 54 Battery 2/4 Field Regiment, waiting for the order to fire. The unis is laying down a 25 pounder barrage on Japanese positions in support of an Australian infantry advance pushing inland.

Artillery Ready To Fire