China

Communists and Nationalists struggle for control in China as Nationalist Kuomintang troops enter Shanghai and Nanking. The Communist leader Mao Tse-tung refuses to visit Chungking for discussions with Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek.

Japan, Home Front

Radio Tokyo reports 'groups are committing hara-kiri before the Imperial Palace in large numbers.'

US carrier aircraft begin uncontested flights over Japan, monitoring the surrender of Japanese military facilities and also locating and supplying Allies prisoners of war formerly held in Japanese camps.

Occupied Germany

British forces in western Europe are redesignated 'British Army of the Rhine' (BAOR).

Philippines

Gen Yamashita informs the commander of the US 32nd Div that he has ordered all Japanese troops in the Philippines to lay down their arms.

Sakhalin

Operations end as the Russians complete their occupation of the island.

United States, Home Front

Vice-Adm Willis A Lee, Jr ('Ching' Lee) dies of a heart attack at age 56.

Images from August 25, 1945

Allied Prisoners of War wave at US Navy planes that have just dropped food to them during supply flights over POW camps in the Tokyo area, 25 August 1945

Food Supply Drop

Consolidated B-32 42-108578 Taxiing Towards The Runway On Yontan Airstrip, Okinawa, Before Take Off, 25 August 1945

B-32 on Okinawa

Lord Louis Mountbatten takes the salute during the VJ Day Parade in Ceylon, 25 August 1945.

VJ Day Parade in Ceylon

P-61 Black Widow August 1945 Clark Field Philippine Islands

P-61 Black Widow in the Philippines