Chronology of World War II

July 1945

Friday, July 20th


Air Oprations, CBI

CHINA
  • 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 14th Air Force P-51s attack motor-vehicle convoys near Hengyang and Wuchang, rail facilities near Changsha, and Japanese troops withdrawing through southern and eastern China.
FRENCH INDOCHINA
  • 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 51st Fighter Group P-51s attack rail facilities near Vinh and Phu Thuong, a power plant near Vinh, and Japanese troops withdrawing through northern French Indochina.
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Air Oprations, East Indies

  • XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack Togian Island.
  • XIII Fighter Command P-38s attack targets on Borneo and Celebes.
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Air Oprations, Japan

  • Nearly 100 VII Fighter Command fighter-bombers based on Iwo Jima attack 7 airfields on Honshu.
  • 8 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s attack the airfield at Matusuwa.
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Air Oprations, Philippines

  • V Bomber Command B-24s, B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers support US 8th Army ground forces and attack various targets on Luzon.
  • P-38s attack targets on Palawan.
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Pacific

  • The Japanese minesweeper No. W-39 is sunk by the US submarine Threadfin (SS-410) in the Yellow Sea.
  • Continuing an attack on a Japanese convoy, the US submarine Bumper (SS-333) sinks the guardboat No.3 Kyoraku Maru.
  • Mines sink the Japanese merchant cargo ship Tatsutagawa Maru (873t) in Shimonoseki Strait.
  • The Japanese merchant ship Shintai Maru (933t) is lost due to unknown causes in the Gulf of Siam.
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Philippines

On Mindanao American units land on Balut Island, at the entrance of Sarangani Bay, and wipe out the small Japanese garrison.

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United States, Home Front

Congress votes to increase Export-Import Banks lending ceiling from $700 million to $3,500 million. The Bretton Woods Bill passes with the Senate vote being 61-16.

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Images from July 20, 1945

Examining a Japanese Anti-aircraft Gun


Examining a Japanese Anti-aircraft Gun

2nd Armored Division in Review


2nd Armored Division in Review

Raising US Flag over Berlin


Raising US Flag over Berlin

Laying Down a Barrage on Japanese Positions


Laying Down a Barrage on Japanese Positions

[July 19th - July 21st]