Chronology of World War II

June 1945

Air Operations, Far East

B-29 bombers fly 6,500 missions over Japan and drop 42,000 tons of bombs. Osaka and Kobe are both attacked several times and other targets include Tokyo and Nagoya. Aircraft plants, naval bases and airfields are the favorite aiming points for precision attacks. In China 14th Air Force attacks communications targets especially in the rail system. Planes based in the Philippines and on Okinawa join in these operations.


Friday, June 1st

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 6 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack rail yards at Sinsiang.
  • 4 B-25s and 4 81st Fighter Group P-47s attack a bridge.
  • 20 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack river shipping, a bridge, and several other targets.
  • 18 P-51s attack warehouses, river shipping, and other targets around Yoyang.
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Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s and XIII Fighter Command P-38s attack troops on Tarakan Island.
  • B-24s, B-25s, and P-38s attack various targets on Borneo.
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Air Operations, Formosa

  • All four V Bomber Command B-24 groups attack Takao.
  • V Fighter Command fighter-bombers sweep coastal areas.
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Air Operations, Japan

  • 458 XXI Bomber Command B-29s attack Osaka with 2,788 tons of incendiary bombs. 16 B-29s attack other targets.
    • 10 B-29s are lost.
  • While on their way to escort B-29s to Osaka, 148 VII Fighter Command P-51s based at Iwo Jima run into unexpectedly bad weather and proceed on instruments rather than abort. Flying blind, several P-51s collide and others become lost or are driven down by the extremity of the weather. In all, 27 P-51s and 24 pilots are lost, including 15 P-51s and 12 pilots from the 506th Fighter Group alone. This is the largest single weather-related loss of the war. Only 27 of the surviving P-51s actually are able to locate the B-29s and complete the mission.
  • A 15th Fighter Group P-51 downs a Ki-45 'Nick' fighter over Koriyama at 1110 hours.
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Air Operations, Philippines

  • V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets and support US 6th Army ground forces on Luzon.
  • In the largest mission of its kind to date in the Mindanao Campaign, 88 Marine Air Group 24 SBDs based at Titcomp Field on Mindanao mount a saturation-bombing attack against a Japanese Army defensive position facing elements of the US X Corps. Employed for the first time by Marine aviation units, this saturation mission is so successful that US Army infantrymen advancing in the wake of the air attack encounter no fire from the objective.
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Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • A VF-25 F6F downs a Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane near Miyako Shima at 1820 hours.
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Air Operations, Pacific

  • 27 P-51s collide during a thunderstorm en route to Osaka.
  • The Japanese city of Osaka is devastated by a huge B-29 raid in which 3,000 tons of incendiary bombs are dropped. Osaka becomes a non-functioning city, as most of its workforce has been dispersed.
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Austria

British troops begin the forcible repatriation of the Cossack Corps to Judenborg in the Russian zone of Austria. A pitched battle occurs and about 700 Cossacks are trampled or commit suicide. This action is known as the Peggetz 'Massacre'.

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Burma

The British 12th Army joins the 14th Army.

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Okinawa

With the fall of the castle and village of Shuri, Gen Mitsuru Ushijima, who has lost his best men, withdraws the rest of his forces on to the Oroku peninsula, just south of Naha, and on to the hills of Yaeju, Yuza and Mezado, in the extreme south of the island. The conditions are frightful, and there is an extreme shortage of rations; there is even some discontent among the Japanese troops, something unheard of in the Japanese army. Units of the US 1st Marine Division cross the Koruba River, south of Naha. The divisions of the XXIV Corps, on the left of the American line, pursue the enemy southward, while some units mop up the area of Shuri.

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Pacific

  • Over the next two weeks the carrier groups of TF 38 now under Adm John S. McCain's command, continue to give support to the Okinawa operation. There are also attacks on June 3 on airfields on Kyushu and agains on the 8th. On the 9th and 10th there are attacks on Okino-Daito-Shima and Minami-o-Shima. Both these targets are bombarded by battleship and cruiser forces.
  • The ninth wave of kamikaze attacks on the US forces around Okinawa occurs between June 3 and 7 when one battleship, one cruiser and one escort carrier are all hit. The fast-carrier groups suffer heavily from the effects of a typhoon on the 5th. The cruiser Pittsburgh loses 110 feet from its bows and all the ships of TG 38.1 are damaged in some degree. After completing the program of attacks TF 38 returns to Leyte on June 13 after three months of nearly continuous operations in which the carriers and their supports have almost constantly kept the sea and been supplied and rearmed by the well-organized work of the fleet train.
  • Mines laid by USAAF B-29s sinks the Japanese army cargo ship Seishu Maru (1223t) off Shodo Jima, merchant cargo ships Abukamagawa Maru (6887t), No.7 Kenkon Maru (880t) and Meitei Maru off Shimonoseki, merchant tanker Yoko Maru (956t), merchant cargo ship Myosei Maru (6856t) in Shimonoseki Strait.
  • British submarine Tiptoe sink the Japanese cargo ship Tobi Maru (983t) off Matasiri Island.
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Palau Islands

A US naval air facility is established on Peleliu in the Palau Islands.

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Philippines

In the US I Corps sector, the 37th Division advances rapidly in the Cagayan valley, in Luzon. On Mindanao, operations continue in the area north of Davao.

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Images from June 1, 1945

727th Amphibian Tractor Bn


727th Amphibian Tractor Bn

Housing Problem


Housing Problem

Taking Off For Formosa


Taking Off For Formosa

A B-29 over Osaka


A B-29 over Osaka

Saturday, June 2nd

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 2 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack ammunition and fuel dumps near Nanyang.
  • 20 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack various targets.
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Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s attack the Pontianak airfield on Borneo, Tarakan Island, and Labuan Island.
  • 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s and XIII Fighter Command P-38s attack Kudat, Miri, and Sandakan.
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Air Operations, Formosa

  • 45 V Bomber Command B-24s attack toxic-gas stores at Hozan.
  • Despite poor visibility, B-24s attack the port area and warehouses at Kiirun.
  • 17 B-24s weathered out of Kiirun attack the town area at Takao.
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Air Operations, Japan

US carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.4 attack airfields on Kyushu. A VF-85 F4U downs a J2M 'Jack' fighter and a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter over Kagoshima Bay at 1005 hours.

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Air Operations, Philippines

  • V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets and support US 6th Army ground forces on Luzon.
  • Fighter-bombers attack targets on Negros.
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Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.

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Diplomatic Relations

De Gaulle criticizes the British for intervention in Syria and Lebanon.

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Okinawa

Mopping up continues, while the 6th Marine Division gets ready to land two regiments on the Oroku peninsula.

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Pacific

  • TF 38 raids kamikaze bases in southern Japan. This, and other raids, compel the Japanese to continue operations from bases farther north.
  • The US submarine Tench (SS-417) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Mikamasan Maru (861t) southeast of Shiriyazaki.
  • The Japanese cargo ship Kojin Maru sinks near Rabaul to unknown causes.
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Philippines

On Luzon in the US XI Corps sector, the 43rd Division finishes the mopping up of the Ipo area.

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World Affairs

At San Francisco, Russian delegates demand the right of veto in the proposed UN Security Council.

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Images from June 2, 1945

398th Returns to USA


398th Return to USA

A Cameraman and His Camera


A Cameraman and His Camera

An LCT Loaded with Tires


An LCT Loaded with Tires

Inspecting the Canadian Berlin Brigade


Inspecting the Canadian Berlin Brigade

Sunday, June 3rd

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • Despite bad weather, 1 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24 and 2 14th Air Force P-51s attack a bridge near Shihkiachwang.
  • 5 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 25 P-51s attack river traffic and warehouses at Liuchow.
  • 2 B-25s attack rail targets.
  • 4 P-51s attack a bridge near Kiehsiu.
  • V Fighter Command P-51s attack shipping off the southeast coast.
  • After it is realized that fighter-bombers are at least as accurate against bridges and other targets that have been under attack by heavy bombers throughout the China campaigns—and at a lower consumption of fuel—the 308th Heavy Bomb Group is ordered to stand down from combat operations following a mission this day by 1 425th Heavy Bomb Squadron B-24.
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Air Operations, East Indies

  • 7 868th Heavy Bomb Squadron SB-24s based on Palawan mount a 19-hour, 3,000-mile round-trip attack against Batavia, Kota Waringen, and Muara Island.
  • XIII Bomber Command and 380th and 90th Heavy Bomb group B-24s attack various targets on Borneo.
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Air Operations, Formosa

  • After encountering bad weather over their primary targets—a power plant and the toxic-gas factory at Hozan—three V Bomber Command B-24 groups attack the town area at Takao.
  • 24 B-25s attack a sugar refinery at Getsubi.
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Air Operations, Japan

  • US Navy carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.4 attack airfields on Kyushu.
  • 3 of 7 28th Composite Bomb Group B-25s dispatched attack a cannery in the Kurile Islands.
  • VBF-85 F4Us down 3 Ki-61 'Tony' fighters near Kagoshima at 0820 hours.
  • VF-9 F6Fs down a Ki-84 'Frank' fighter and an A6M Zero near the Kanoya airfield on Kyushu at 0845 hours.
  • A VBF-85 F4U downs an A6M Zero near Kagoshima at 0850 hours.
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Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command B-24s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack areas of resistance on Negros.

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Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.

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Occupied Europe

Captured maps of German minefields are distributed by SHAEF to all Allied governments in Europe.


Okinawa

Japanese forces are trapped in Oroku and Chinen Pens.

The US cargo ship Allegan (AK-225) is damaged by a suicide plane off Okinawa.

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Pacific

  • The US submarine Segundo (SS-398) sinks the Japanese merchantman No.94 Anto Maru off Jinsen, Korea.
  • B-29 laid mines sink the Japanese naval vessel No.15 Hakutetsu Maru in the Inland Sea, the army cargo ship Taiei Maru (6923t) off Motoyama light, the merchant cargo ships Osara Maru off Motoyama Bay, Konei Maru (884t) outside Karatsu harbor and Momo Maru (884t) in the same area.
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Philippines

On Luzon the US 37th Division overcomes weak Japanese resistance to advance about six miles north of Santa Fe.

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Ryukyu Islands

US Marines are landed on Iheya Shima.

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Syria

French forces, escorted by British troops, leave Damascus.

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Images from June 3, 1945

A Large Poster of Stalin


A Large Poster of Stalin

Last Patrol


Last patrol

Ruins of the Reichstag


Ruins of the Reichstag

Monday, June 4th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 12 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack rail facilities and warehouses at Sinsiang.
  • In a separate mission, 10 B-25s and 4 14th Air Force P-51s also attack rail yards at Sinsiang.
  • 2 B-25s and 3 P-51s attack the rail line between Sinsiang and Hsuchang.
  • 17 fighter-bombers attack various targets.
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Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s attack Balikpapan and Manggar and support Australian Army ground forces on Tarakan Island.
  • 42nd Medium Bomb B-25s attack Djembajan, Kudat, and Manggar.
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Air Operations, Formosa

V Bomber Command B-24s attack Taihoku.

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Air Operations, Japan

8 28th Composite Bomb Group B-25s abort in the face of bad weather while on their way to attack Kurabu Cape, but 11 B-24s are able to attack the Kataoka naval base with the aid of radar.

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Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets on Luzon.

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Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.

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Occupied Germany

Paul Ferdonnet, the 'Radio Traitor' of Stuttgart, is arrested by French troops in Bavaria. He is executed on August 5.

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Okinawa

Gen Simon B. Buckner reduces the sector manned by the III Amphibious Corps, which has suffered the greatest losses, and increases that assigned to the XXIV Coprs. The front line goes from the southern suburbs of Naha to the spurs south of Shuri Ridge, reaching the east coast just south of Yonabaru.

The 4th and 29th Marines, 6th Division, after a heavy preliniary bombardment, land on the north coast of the Oroku peninsula, which is manned by Vice-Adm Minoru Ota's naval infantry, and take about half of the airfield there.

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Pacific

  • The US submarine Billfish (SS-286) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Taiu Maru (6923t) off Chinnampo, Korea.
  • The US submarine Tench (SS-417) sinks the Japanese transport Ryujin Maru (517t) off Hachinohe.
  • Mines sink the Japanese weather observation ship Hijun Maru off Hesaki, cargo ships Aichi Maru, Hinode Maru off Moji City, No.2 Shiwa Maru off Taishu light, Kifune Maru (1606t) off Nigata and No.5 Yamabishi Maru in the same area.
  • The Japanese merchant cargo ship No.5 Miyakawa Maru is the victim of a marine casualtyff Hirato Jima.
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Images from June 4, 1945

Bombing Kobe


Bombing Kobe

6th Marine Division lands on Oroku Peninsula


6th Marine Division lands on Oroku Peninsula

Tuesday, June 5th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 32 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Nanyang, rail yards at Anyang, 2 ferries in northern French Inochina, and a bridge.
  • More than 40 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack targets across southern and eastern China.
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Air Operations, East Indies

  • XIII Bomber Command and 380th and 90th Heavy Bomb group B-24s attack Labuan and Tarakan islands and 3 airfields on Borneo.
  • XIII Fighter Command P-38s attack 3 locations on Borneo.
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Air Operations, Formosa

Weathered out of their primary and secondary targets, 11 V Bomber Command B-24s attack Taito.

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Air Operations, Japan

  • 473 XXI Bomber Command B-29s attack Kobe with 3,077 tons of incendiary bombs while 8 B-29s attack other targets.
    • 11 B-29s are lost.
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Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack targets and support US 6th Army ground forces on Luzon.

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Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.

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Air Operations, Pacific

More than 3,000 tons of incendiaries are dropped over Kobe in a raid by 473 B-29 bombers.

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Diplomatic Relations

The Allied agreement on the partition of Germany and the city of Berlin is signed by Eisenhower, Montgomery, de Lattre de Tassigny and Zhukov.

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Okinawa

The Japanese put up a determined resistance to the 6th Marine Division on the Oroku peninsula, but the Marines manage to capture most of the airfield. The XXIV Corps nears the last Japanese defensive line in the south of the island, which runs from Yuza in the west to Guschichan on the east coast and is based on 3 hills, Yaeju, Yuza and Mezado.

A sudden typhoon damages a number of American ships off Okinawa: 4 battleships (Indiana (BB-58), Massachusetts (BB-59), Alabama (BB-60) and Missouri (BB-63)), 2 aircraft carriers (Hornet (CV-12) and Bennington (CV-20)), 2 light aircraft carriers (Belleau Wood (CVL-24) and San Jacinto (CVL-30)), 4 escort carriers (Windham Bay (CVE-92), Salamaua (CVE-96), Bougainville (CVE-100) and Attu (CVE-102)), 3 heavy cruisers (Baltimore (CA-68), Quincy (CA-71) and Pittsburgh (CA-72)), 4 light cruisers (Detroit (CL-8), San Juan (CL-54), Duluth (CL-87) and Atlanta (CL-104)), 11 destroyers (Schroeder (DD-501), John Rodgers (DD-574), McKee (DD-575), Dashiell (DD-659), Stockham (DD-683), De Haven (DD-727), Maddox (DD-731), Blue (DD-744), Brush (DD-745), Taussig (DD-746) and Samuel N. Moore (DD-747)), 3 destroyer escorts (Donaldson (DE-44), Conklin (DE-439) and Hilbert (DE-742)), 2 tankers (Lackawanna (AO-40) and Millicoma (AO-73)) and a transport (Shasta (AE-6)) loaded with ammunition suffer more or less serious damage.

The cruiser Pittsburgh (CA-72) loses 32 meters of her bow, but eventually reaches Guam 1,448 km away. The battleship Mississippi (BB-41) and the heavy cruiser Louisville (CA-28) are hit and seriously damaged by Japanese suicide aircraft. Also damaged in the day's operations are the destroyer Dyson (DD-572) by collision, the minesweeper Scuffle (AM-298) and the gasoline tanker Sheepscot (AOG-24) both by grounding.

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Pacific

  • The Japanese submarine chaser CHA-230 is sunk in a collision with army transport Azusa Maru south of Sop-To light, Korea.
  • Mines sink the Japanese cargo ship No.5 Yawata Maru off Tsunemi, Moji and merchant cargo ship Taisho Maru (1122t) off Mutsure Island.
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Philippines

On Luzon in the US I Corps sector, units of the 37th Division occupy Aritao and advance beyond this town to the north.

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Images from June 5, 1945

Typhoon Damage


Typhoon Damage

Allies Meeting in Berlin


Allies Meeting in Berlin

King Haakon returns to Norway


King Haakon returns to Norway

Onboard Hornet During a Typhoon


Onboard <i>Hornet</i> During a Typhoon

Battleship USS Indiana in a Typhoon


Battleship USS <i>Indiana</i> in a Typhoon

Pittsburgh En Route to Guam for Temporary Repairs


<i>Pittsburgh</i> En Route to Guam for Temporary Repairs

Wednesday, June 6th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 11 341st Medium Bombt Group B-25s and 9 14th Air Force P-51s attack rail yards at Siaokan and several targets of opportunity.
  • More than 30 fighter-bombers attack various targets across northern French Indochina and southern and eastern China.
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Air Operations, East Indies

FEAF B-24s and B-25s, and XIII Fighter Command P-38s attack Labuan and Tarakan islands and numerous targets on Borneo.

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Air Operations, Japan

318th Fighter Group P-47s attack targets of opportunity on Kyushu. 318th Fighter Group P-47s down 2 D3A 'Val' dive bombers, a D4Y 'Judy' dive bomber, and 6 fighters over and near Kyushu between 1530 and 1640 hours.

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Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets on Luzon.

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Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • As carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.1 and Task Group 38.4 support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa, the typhoon-damaged USS Hornet and USS Bennington launch their strike aircraft by backing down, a unique maneuver under combat conditions. US carrier-based F6Fs down 7 Ki-61 'Tony' fighters near Okinawa between 1555 and 1600 hours. Marine Corps F4Us down 13 Japanese aircraft near Okinawa between 1415 and 1715 hours.
  • During a small evening raid, a US minelayer is damaged by a kamikaze.
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China

Japanese forces in southern China retreat back to Kweilin, the whole ICHI-GO offensive having collapsed with the Japanese being pushed back nearly 200 miles in two weeks.

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Diplomatic Relations

Brazil declares war on Japan.

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Okinawa

The 6th Marine Division completes the capture of the airfield on Oroku peninsula and advances along the coast, but inland the Japanese resist with all their usual determination. In the east, units of the 96th Division, XXIV Corps, reach the lower slopes of Mount Yaeju and are halted there by powerful Japanese fire.

US ships damaged in the day's action include the escort carrier Natoma Bay (CVE-62) and the light minelayers Harry F. Bauer (DM-26) and J. William Ditter (DM-31) by kamikazes. Damaged in collisions are the minesweepers Requisite (AM-109) and Spear (AM-322) and the gasoline tanker Yahara (AOG-37).

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Pacific

The Japanese submarine chaser CHA-195 is sunk by a US mine off Honshu, Japan. Mines also sink the guardboat No.5 Yawata Maru off Tsurumi, the merchant cargo ship Gassan Maru (887t) off Moji, the destroyer Kaki off Kominase, the escort destroyer Habuto off Kannonzaki light and cargo ship No.18 Tamon Maru off Hesaki light.

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Philippines

The Americans advance without meeting any strong resistance both in the Cagayan valley, Luzon, and on Mindanao Island, where they are preparing to attack the town of Mandog.

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Secret War

4 agents, 2 Bengalis and 2 Punjabis, who landed on the Orissa coast in India by a Japanese submarine in March 1944, are detained.

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Images from June 6, 1945

Field Hospital on Okinawa


Field Hospital on Okinawa

Looking for Snipers


Looking for Snipers

Manshu Ki-79b 'Nate'


Manshu Ki-79b 'Nate'

Parade in Utrecht


Parade in Utrecht

Thursday, June 7th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA

7 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 49 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack a bridge, buildings, river traffic, and numerous targets of opportunity across southeastern China.

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Air Operations, East Indies

FEAF B-24s, 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s, and XIII Fighter Command P-38s attack targets on Borneo.

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Air Operations, Japan

  • 409 XXI Bomber Command B-29s, escorted by VII Fighter Command P-51s, attack Osaka with 2,592 tons of incendiary bombs. 9 B-29s attack other targets.
  • 20 318th Fighter Group P-47s attack shipping and warehouses on Kyushu.
    • 2 B-29s are lost.
  • 318th Fighter Group P-47s down 4 A6M Zeros over Kyushu between 0910 and 0925 hours.
  • A 506th Fighter Group P-51 downs a single-engine airplane near Osaka during the early afternoon.
  • A 15th Fighter Group P-51 downs a Ki-45 'Nick' near Osaka at 1220 hours.
  • 318th Fighter Group P-47s down 4 A6M Zeros over Kagoshima Bay at 1615 hours.
  • During the night 26 505th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s sow mines in Shimonoseki Strait and off Fukuoaka and Karatsu.
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Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack defenses and other targets on Luzon.

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Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • The escort carrier USS Natoma Bay is damaged by a kamikaze.
  • The VII Bomber Command’s veteran 41st Medium Bomb Group, in rocket-equipped B-25s, arrives on Okinawa from Hawaii to undertake tactical missions against targets in Japan as part of the US 10th Army Tactical Air Force’s newly operational Bomber Command.
  • Marine Corps F4Us and an F6F night-fighter down 3 D3A 'Val' dive bombers, a Ki-61 'Tony' fighter, a Ki-51 'Sonia' bomber, and a P1Y 'Galaxy' bomber near Okinawa between 1845 and 1930 hours.
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Britain, Home Front

The King and Queen visit the Channel Islands.

The first performance of Britten's opera 'Peter Grimes' occurs at Sadler's Wells Theater in London.

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China

In Kwangsi province, 3 Chinese armies prepare to launch an offensive against the Japanese to liberate the Hong Kong-Canton area. In Hunan province the Chinese follow the retreating Japanese as far as Paoching, which is where the Japanese offensive started from.

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Norway

King Haakon returns to Oslo.

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Okinawa

In the Oroku peninsula the Japanese hole up the attacks by the 6th Marine Division, while the 1st Marine Division advances to the south and cuts off the base of the peninsula, so that the Japanese are isolated. On the XXIV Corps front there is considerable artillery activity.

Two US ships damaged during the day's operations, destroyer Anthony (DD-515) by a suicide plane and the landing craft LST-540 from running aground.

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Pacific

  • The US submarine Shad (SS-235) sinks the Japanese army transport Azusa Maru (1370t) and tanker No.22 Nanshin Maru (834t) 50 miles southwest of Yoso-do, Korea.
  • The US submarine Tench (SS-417) sinks the Japanese guardboat Hanshin Maru in the Sea of Japan.
  • Mines sink the Japanese auxiliary minelayer Hakun Maru near Hong Kong and the merchant cargo ship No.2 Yubari Maru west of the mouth of Kammon Strait.
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Images from June 7, 1945

Cheering the Royal Family


Cheering the Royal Family

Wangsi Command Headquarters in Nanning


Wangsi Command Headquarters in Nanning

Royal Procession in Oslo


Royal Procession in Oslo

Roadwork on Route #5


Roadwork on Route #5

Friday, June 8th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 32 14th Air Force fighters attack various targets.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

XIII Bomber Command and 90th and 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack various targets on Borneo.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • Carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.1 and Task Group 38.4 attack the Kanoya airfield complex on Kyushu.
  • VF-9 F6Fs down 2 A6M Zeros near Shibushi at 1315 hours.
  • VII Fighter Command P-51s dispatched on a strike to Japan abort in the face of bad weather.
  • The typhoon-damaged USS Bennington (Fleet Carrier Air Group 82, including VMF-112 and VMF-123) is detached from Task Group 38.1 to undergo repairs at Leyte.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

5th Air Force operations on Luzon are severely curtailed by bad weather, and a mission to Formosa is canceled.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • A VC-99 FM downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter over Okinawa at 0750 hours.
  • 318th Fighter Group P-47s down 5 A6M Zeros north of Okinawa between 0815 and 0841 hours.
  • Marine Corps F4Us down 6 Japanese aircraft near Okinawa between 0815 and 0900 hours, and a Ki-45 'Nick' fighter off Okinawa at 2000 hours.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Pacific

110 B-29s drop high explosive bombs on Japanese aircraft factories at Akashi, Narao and Nagoya.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Dutch East Indies

Allied cruisers and destroyers lay down a heavy 2-day bombardment on Japanese facilities around Brunei Bay, on North Borneo's northwest coast.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

Okinawa

Severe fighting continues in the Oroku peninsula, while the XXIV Coprs prepares a big attack against Mount Yaeju.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • The cruiser Ashigara is sunk by the British submarine Trenchant off Sumatra.
  • US carrier aircraft attack Kanoya airfield on Kyushu, inflicting further damage on Japanese homeland air resources.
  • The US minesweeper Salute (AM-294) sinks by hitting a mine in the Borneo area.
  • The US submarine Cobia (SS-245) sinks the Japanese transport Hakusa (3841t) and tanker No.22 Nanshin Maru (834t) off southern French Indochina./li>
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon the 145th Infantry, 37th Division, takes Solano and advances almost as far as Bagabag, both places being northeast of Santa Fe, toward the Cagayan valley. Some patrols push eastward as far as the Magat River.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]


Images from June 8, 1945

Japanese Cruiser Ashigara


Japanese Cruiser <i>Ashigara</i>

Demobilization of High-ranking Germans


Demobilization of High-ranking Germans

Unloading an LST


Unloading an LSTs

USS Makin Island at Guam


USS <i>Makin Island</i> at Guam

Saturday, June 9th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 3 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and more than 60 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack numerous targets across southern and eastern China.
  • Alluding to dissension among American commanders in the China Theater, Gen George C. Marshall queries Gen Albert C. Wedemeyer as to why the 14th Air Force has not yet been formally subordinated to Lt-Gen George E. Stratemeyer’s new Army Air Forces, China Theater.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

XIII Bomber Command and 90th and 380th Heavy Bomb group B-24s mount final pre-invasion strikes in the Brunei Bay area, including an attack against Labuan Island and a napalm drop at Brooketon.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • 44 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an aircraft factory at Naruo.
  • 42 313th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an aircraft factory at Nagoya.
  • 24 313th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an aircraft factory at Akashi while 4 B-29s attack other targets.
  • 57 VII Fighter Command P-51s attack the airfield at Kagamigahara and nearby targets.
  • Operating with US Navy aircraft and surface forces, 6 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s and 8 B-25s sweep various areas in the Kurile Islands. 1 B-25 is downed by Soviet anti-aircraft fire while flying over the Kamchatka Peninsula while evading Japanese Navy fighters, and another B-25 force-lands in the USSR.
  • During the night 505th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s sow mines in Shimonoseki Strait.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

  • V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack targets and support US 6th Army ground forces on Luzon.
  • US Marine Corps aircraft are especially active over Mindanao throughout the day.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • Carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.1 and Task Group 38.4 attack ground defenses on Okino Daito Island.
  • A VMF(N)-533 F6F downs a Ki-61 'Tony' fighter off Okinawa at 0430 hours.
  • A 318th Fighter Group P-47 downs a D4Y 'Judy' dive bomber near Amami O Shima at 0500 hours.
  • a VMF-113 F4U downs a D4Y 'Judy' dive bomber off Okinawa at 1940 hours.
  • A VMF(N)-533 F6F downs a Ki-45 'Nick' fighter off Okinawa at 2130 hours.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Britain, Home Front

In Horse Racing, the Derby is won by 'Dante', from 'Midas' and 'Court Martial'.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Diplomatic Relations

There is an Anglo-British-Yugoslav Agreement on the future status of Trieste.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Okinawa

The Japanese defending the Oroku peninsula are completely isolated and surrounded by the Marines of the 6th Division. The 1st Marine Division advances south almost as far as Kunishi Ridge, one of the last Japanese strongpoints.

Coastal gunfire damages the US destroyer escort Gendreau (DE-639) in the Okinawa area.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • The Japanese Coast Cefense Vessel No.41 is sunk by the US submarine Sea Owl (SS-405) off southern Korea.
  • The US submarine Crevalle (SS-291) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Hokuto Maru (2215t) west of Aomori Prefecture.
  • The US submarine Sea Dog (SS-401) attacks Japanese shipping off the northwest coast of Honshu and sinks the merchant cargo ship Sagawa Maru (1186t).
  • The US submarine Tench sinks the Japanese transport Kamishika Maru (2857t) off southern Hokkaido.
  • The US submarine Tinosa sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Wakatama Maru (2211t) off the east coast of Korea.
  • Mines laid by USAAF B-29s sink the Japanese merchant cargo ships No.35 Banshu Maru and Inaura Maru (873t) off Takase light.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon the US 37th Division takes Bagabag. The Americans try to block the routes into the Cagayan valley to cut off the Japanese concentrated on the Sierra Madre, in the northeast of the island.

On Mindanao units of the US 24th Division take Mandong, the last major strongpoint in the Japanese defenses.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Ryukyu Islands

US Marines go ashore on Aguni Shima.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]


Images from June 9, 1945

Parade through Los Angeles


Parade through Los Angeles

Patrol on Bougainville


Patrol on Bougainville

Transfer of Landing Craft to the Soviet Union


Transfer of Landing Craft to the Soviet Union

Mine Damage Repair at Ulithi


Mine Damage Repair at Ulithi

Sunday, June 10th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 14th Air Force fighter- bombers attack various targets.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

US 7th Fleet warships, carrier aircraft, Royal Australian Air Force tactical squadrons, and Australian and XIII Bomber Command B-24s support a landing by the Australian 9th Infantry Division at Brunei Bay, Borneo, and several nearby islands. FEAF B-24s also attack other targets on Borneo. Throughout the day, the 42nd Medium Bomb Group provides 4-plane B-25 flights for on-call support. The Labuan airfield falls into Australian Army hands at dusk.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • 32 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an aircraft factory at Tomioka.
  • 23 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-24s attack the seaplane base at Kasumigaura.
  • 118 73rd Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an aircraft factory at Kaigan.
  • 52 314th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack aircraft factories at Ogikubo and Kasumigaura.
  • 29 314th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack the Tachikawa air arsenal.
  • 26 314th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an aircraft factory at Chiba.
  • 12 B-29s attack other targets.
  • 39 318th Fighter Group P-47s sweep Kyushu.
    • 1 B-29 is lost in the day's attacks.
  • US Navy aircraft and 2 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s attack a cargo vessel in the Kurile Islands.
  • While escorting US Navy PB4Y photo-reconnaissance aircraft, 318th Fighter Group P-47s down a G4M 'Betty' bomber and 16 A6M Zeros and J2M 'Jack' fighters over Kagoshima Bay and the Kanoya and Mitagahara airfields on Kyushus between 0840 and 0900 hours.
  • 15th and 506th Fighter group P-51s down 27 fighters over the Tokyo area between 0900 and 0945 hours.
  • A VMF-323 F4U downs a D4Y 'Judy' dive bomber over Kyushu's Kitahara airfield at 1415 hours.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers support US 6th Army ground forces on Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • A VMF-212 F4U downs a D3A 'Val' dive bomber Okinawa at 0818 hours.
  • A VMF(N)-542 F6F downs an unidentified airplane over Okinawa at 1420 hours.
  • A US radar picket destroyer is mortally damaged by a kamikaze at 0825 hours.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Burma

Burmese guerrillas led by British officers re-take Loilem, in the Shan Mountains area.

[larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

China

Chinese forces liberate I-shan in Kwangsi Province and pursue the Japanese toward Liuchow. Chinese force also capture Wenchow, 450 miles west of Okinawa.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Dutch East Indies

Operation OBOE VI begins. With support by British and American ships and aircraft, Australian troops from the 9th Division land in the Gulf of Brunei and begin the recapture of Borneo. Some contingents also land on the islands of Labuan and Muara.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

Japan, Home Front

Prime Minister Suzuki is granted dictatorial powers by the Imperial Diet (Parliament).

[larrlarr | rarrrarr2]

Occupied Germany

Zhukov decorates Eisenhower and Montgomery with the Order of Victory.

[rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Okinawa

Hard fighting continues in the Oroku peninsula, where the units of the 6th Marine Division are in action. The Japanese carry out several night counterattacks, in which they lose many men. The 1st Marine Division, at the cost of heavy losses, takes a hill west of the town of Yuza. The XXIV Corps, supported by artillery and naval gunfire, aircraft and tanks armed with flamethrowers, opens a major offensive against the last Japanese defensive line, taking a saddle between Mount Yaeju and Mount Yuza.

A Japanese suicide plane sinks the US destroyer William D. Porter (DD-579) in the Okinawa area.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • British Pacific Fleet units leave Manus Island to begin operations against Truk in the Carolines.
  • The Japanese submarine I-122 is sunk by the US submarine Skate (SS-305) in the Sea of Japan.
  • The US submarine Crevalle (SS-291) sinks the Japanese army cargo ship Daiki Maru (2217t) in the western approaches to Tsugaru Strait.
  • The US submarine Flying Fish (SS-220) sinks the Japanese army ship Taga Maru (2220t) off Seishin, Korea.
  • The US submarine Spadefish (SS-411) attacks Japanese shipping off Hokkaido and sinks the merchant cargo ship No.2 Taigen Maru (1999t) off Otaru, the transport No.8 Unkai Maru (1293t) off Shakotan Mizaki and the cargo ship Jintsu Maru (994t) in the same area.
  • The US submarine Tench (SS-417) sinks the Japanese merchant tanker No.6 Shoei Maru (834t) off northern Honshu.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon the Japanese temporarily halt the advance of the American 37th Division near Orioung Pass.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]


Images from June 10, 1945

Australian Soldiers Landing on Labuan Island


Australian Soldiers Landing on Labuan Island

An Australian at Labuan Airstrip


An Australian at Labuan Airstrip

On Board a LVT


On Board a LVT

Australians Landing at Brunei Bay


Australians Landing at Brunei Bay

Australian troops land from USS LST-560


Australian troops land from USS <i>LST-560</i>

Montgomery Receives Soviet Order of Victory


Montgomery Receives Soviet Order of Victory

Duchess of Gloucester Chats with Members of the Australian Women’s Land Army


Duchess of Gloucester Chats with Members of the Australian Women’s Land Army

Sinking of William D Porter


Sinking of <i>William D Porter</i>

Monday, June 11th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 4 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 29 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack various targets.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • Supplementing Royal Australian Air Force efforts, FEAF B-24s attack various targets on Borneo.
  • 42d Medium Bomb Group B-25s provide on-call support for Australian Army forces in the Brunei Bay area.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • VII Fighter Group P-51s attack the Tokorozawa airfield on Honshu.
  • 8 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s attack the Kataoka and Kurabu Cape areas with the aid of radar.
  • 318th Fighter Group P-47s down 4 A6M Zeros over the Kushira airfield between 0845 and 0900 hours.
  • A 21st Fighter Group P-51 downs a Ki-45 'Nick' fighter near the Tokorozawa airfield on Honshu at 1315 hours.
  • During the night 26 505th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s sow mines in Shimonoseki Strait and Tsuruga Bay.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets and support US 6th Army ground forces on Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • A VMSB-131 SBD on anti-submarine patrol downs a D3A 'Val' dive bomber at sea at 0742 hours.
  • A VMF-314 F4U downs a Ki-61 'Tony' fighter near Yoron Shima at 0745 hours.
  • VMF-311 F4Us down 2 Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance planes near Okinawa between 1900 and 1905 hours.
  • A 318th Fighter Group P-47 downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter north of Okinawa at 1940 hours.
  • A large US support landing craft on radar picket duty is moderately damaged by a kamikaze that kills 11 and wounds 1.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Okinawa

In the Oroku peninsula the Japanese are penned into a pocket about a thousand yards deep, but they put up a fanatical resistance. The 1st Marine Division fails to take Kunishi Ridge by assault. In the XXIV Corps sector, 1 regiment of the 96th Division reaches the town of Yuza, but is driven out again by the violent Japanese fire. The aritllery brings down fire on the Japanese cave positions on Mount Yaeju, east of which the Americans manage to take an important height.

US ships damaged in the day's action include the light cruiser Vicksburg (CL-86) in a collision and the landing ship dock Lindenwald (LSD-6) by accidental friendly fire.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • The Japanese submarine chaser CHA-237 is sunk by US naval land based aircraft in the Sea of Japan.
  • The US submarine Bowfin (SS-287) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship No.3 Shinyo Maru (1898t) off Genzan, Korea.
  • The US submarine Crevalle (SS-291) sinks the Japanese gunboat No.5 Hakusan Maru (2211t) off Henashi Zaki, Honshu.
  • The US submarine Flying Fish (SS-229) sinks the Japanese army cargo ship Meisei Maru (1893t) near Rashin, Korea.
  • The US submarine Sea Dog (SS-401) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Kofuku Maru (753t) in the Sea of Japan.
  • The US submarine Segundo (SS-398) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship No.2 Fukui Maru (1578t) in the Yellow Sea off the Shantung Peninsula.
  • The US submarine Tirante (SS-420) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Hakuju Maru (2220t) at Ha Jima, Kyushu.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon, there is fighting at Orioung Pass, where the Japanese are still holding up the US 37th Division.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]


Images from June 11, 1945

Australian Soldiers Moving from Brooketon to Brunei


Australian Soldiers Moving from Brooketon to Brunei

Damaged Storehouses at Victoria Docks


Damaged Storehouses at Victoria Docks

Guiding Amtrac into LST


Guiding Amtrac into LST

Tuesday, June 12th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 2 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s, 2 426th Night Fighter Squadron P-61s, and 13 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack various targets.
  • V Bomber Command B-24s attack the port area at Hong Kong.
FRENCH INDOCHINA
  • 44 90th and 380th Heavy Bomb group B-24s attack rail yards at Saigon.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • Supplementing Royal Australian Air Force efforts, XIII Fighter Command P-38s support Australian Army ground forces in the Brunei Bay area and attack other targets on Borneo.
  • 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s provide on-call support for Australian Army ground forces in the Brunei Bay area.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • 4 28th Composite Bomb Group B-25s attack 4 freighters and 2 barges in the Kurile Islands.
    • 1 B-25 is downed by anti-aircraft fire.
  • Task Unit 32.3 carrier aircraft attempt to attack targets on Kyushu after topping off their fuel tanks at Okinawa's Kadena Field. Finding their targets completely obscured by clouds, the strike aircraft attack alternate targets at Amami O Shima and return to the carriers following a refueling stop at Kadena.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

  • 2 386th Bomb Squadron B-32 very heavy bombers attack Batan Island. The attack on Batan Island is the first use of the B-32 very heavy bomber, of which only a very small number will be deployed in the Pacific War, all with the 312th Light Bomb Group’s 386th Bomb Squadron.
  • V Bomber Command B-25s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets and support US 6th Army ground forces on Luzon.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Britain, Home Front

Eisenhower receives the Order of Merit and the Freedom of City of London.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Europe

Yugoslav forces withdraw from Trieste after urging New Zealand and Indian troops to pull out of the disputed city.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Okinawa

The Japanese infantry (marines) cut off in the Oroku peninsula, hammered by incessant American fire, show signs of giving way. Some give themselves up and many commit suicide. In a night attack the 1st Marine Division captures the west end of Kunishi Ridge. In the XXIV Corps sector the 96th Division attacks Mount Yuza without success, but gains some positions in the Mount Yaeju sector.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • The US submarine Sea Dog (SS-401) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ships Shinsen Maru (880t) and Kaiwa Maru off Nishiro, Japan.
  • The US submarine Skate (SS-303) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ships Yozan Maru (1227t), Kenjo Maru (3142t) and Zuiko Maru (887t) in Togi Harbor, northern Honshu.
  • The US submarine Spadefish (SS-411) sinks the Japanese guardboat Daido Maru west of Wakkanai, Hokkaido.
  • The US submarine Tinosa (SS-283) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Keito Maru (880t) off Donghae, Korea.
  • Japanese submarine chaser CH-57 and passenger ferry No.2 Kuroshio are sunk by British destroyers Tartar, Eskimo and Nubian 20 miles north of Sabang, Sumatra.
  • Mines laid by USAAF B-29s sink Japanese army cargo ship Aizan Maru (2221t) in Hakata Bay, merchant cargo ships Sagami Maru 25 miles off Kaburazaki and Fumitsuki Maru (875t) off Shirasu and liaison ship Shimonoseki Maru (527t) northeast of Pohang, Kora.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon the US 145th Infantry overcomes Japanese resistance at Orioung Pass, occupies the town of Orioung and advances to some positions overlooking the town of Balite.

All resistance ends in the Visayan Islands. US dead in the campaign is 835 with 2,300 wounded. Japanese losses are estimated at 10,000.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]


Images from June 12, 1945

Battalion Area Inspection


Battalion Area Inspection

Canadian Women’s Army Corps


Canadian Women’s Army Corps

Australian Wounded Are Evacuated


Australian Wounded Are Evacuated

Sherman Tank in the Philippines


Sherman Tank in the Philippines

Wednesday, June 13th

Air Operations, CBI

China
  • 8 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 7 14th Air Force P-51s attack a communications center near Puchou and rail yards at Kaifeng.
  • 8 P-51s attack 2 bridges and rail targets of opportunity.
  • 62 V Bomber Command B-24s successfully attack numerous wooden vessels clustered in Hong Kong harbor with experimental 55-gallon drums of napalm.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s attack the Balikpapan and Sepinggang areas.
  • 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s and XIII Fighter Command P-38s support Australian Army ground forces in the Brunei Bay area and sweep northern Borneo.
  • A 419th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 crew downs a Ki-45 'Nick' fighter near Brunei Bay at 1930 hours.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

Despite bad weather, several V Bomber Command B-24s are able to attack the primary target at Toshien, and a small number of B-24s divert to several other targets. Also, 2 386th Bomb Squadron B-32s attack the airfield at Koshun.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

During the night 29 505th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s sow mines in Shimonoseki Strait and off Niigata.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets on Luzon and islands to the north.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

China

The Japanese prepare to leave Liuchow and Kweilin and the first stage of the Chinese operation against the Hong Kong-Canton area is made necessary.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Dutch East Indies

The Australian forces liberate to town of Brunei.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

Okinawa

The Japanese in the Oroku peninsula cease all resistance. The 6th Marine Division takes a record number of prisoners - 169. The 1st Marine Division sends 1 regiment against Kunishi Ridge; the Americans succeed in taking and holding several positions, but with high casualties. The XXIV Corps, using armored flame-throwers, destroys one by one the Japanese cave positions on Mount Yousa and Mount Yaeju and on Hills 153 and 115.

The US battleship Idaho (BB-42) is damaged by grounding in the Okinawa area.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • Mines laid previously by USAAF B-29s sink the Japanese merchant cargo ship Matsuo Maru (1922t) south of Motoyama light, Hiyoshi Maru (1287t), No.8 Nissho Maru (1174t) and Koryu Maru (974t) off Hesaki light.
  • The US submarine Bonefish (SS-223) sinks the Japanese cargo ship Oshikasan Maru (6892t) in the Sea of Japan.
  • The US submarine Bowfin (SS-287) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Meiho Maru off Alsom Island, Korea.
  • The US submarine Skate (SS-305) sinks the Japanese merchnat cargo ship Hattenzan Maru in the Sea of Japan west of Kanazawa.
  • Mines laid by USAAF B-24s sink the Japanese merchant cargo ship Koun Maru (1665t) off Macao.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon the Americans send an armored column beyond Orioung Pass to exploit the breakthrough made by the 145th Infantry, but a Japanese counterattack blocks the road.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]


Images from June 13, 1945

Bren Gun Position on Labuan Island


Bren Gun Position on Labuan Island

US Marines on Wana Ridge


US Marines on Wana Ridge

Wounded Being Evacuated


Wounded Being Evacuated

Searching for Japanese


Searching for Japanese

Bombed Area of Naha, Okinawa


Bombed Area of Naha, Okinawa

Thursday, June 14th

Air Operations, Carolines

Royal Navy carrier aircraft from the newly arrived heavy carrier HMS Implacable attack the Truk Atoll day and night.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 42 14th Air Force P-51s attack numerous targets.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s attack anti-aircraft batteries at Balikpapan, military camps at Sidate, Celebes, and warehouses at Parepare.
  • 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s provide on-call support for Australian Army ground forces in the Brunei Bay area.
  • Royal Australian Air Force tactical aviation units move into the Tarakan airfield on Borneo.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack large areas of occupied Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Allied Planning

The Joint Chiefs of Staff order Gen Douglas MacArthur, Gen Arnold, and Adm Nimitz to work out plans for the immediate occupation of the Japanese islands in the event of an unexpected Japanese capitulation. This decision may have been taken in view of progress made in the production of the atomic bomb, but the commanders in the field, not to mention ministers, are not to know this.

[larr2larr]

Burma

A grand parade is held at Rangoon to celebrate the recapture of the city. Adm Mountbatten has fixed September 9 as the date for the start of Operation ZIPPER, the recapture of the Malayan peninsula.

[larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

China

After re-taking I-shan, the Chinese pursue the Japanese toward Liuchow.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Occupied Germany

Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop is arrested by British military police in a Hamburg boardinghouse.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Okinawa

While mopping up proceeds on Oroku peininsula, the Marines of the III Corps and infantry of the XXIV Corps continue to wipe out the Japanese fortifed caves both on Kunishi Ridge and on Mount Yuza and Mount Yaeju. 1 regiment of the 96th Division reaches the summit of Mount Yaeju, while the 7th Division extends its control on Hills 153 and 115.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • Over the next two days a British task group raids Truk. Such is the weakened state of the Japanese Air Force by this stage that they meet no aerial resistance.
  • Despite the presence of two escorts, the US submarine Sea Devil (SS-400) sinks the Japanese transport Wakamiyasan Maru (2211t) in the northern Yellow Sea.
  • The US submarine Spadefish (SS-411) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Seizan Maru (2018t) off western Sakhalin.
  • Mines laid by USAAF B-29s sink the Japanese army cargo ship No.18 Umajima Maru (885t) off northern Kyushu.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon the Americans dislodge the Japanese blocking the Orioung Pass. Units of the 37th Division, formed into an armored column, advance as far as Echague. From Santiago other units move on Cabanatuan and Cauayan.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]


Images from June 14, 1945

Guarding Gen Blaskowitz


Guarding Gen Blaskowitz

Eisenhower Awarded the Croix de la Liberation


Eisenhower Awarded the Croix de la Liberation

US 6th Army at Oriung Pass


US 6th Army at Oriung Pass

105-mm Howitzer Firing at Extreme Elevation


105-mm Howitzer Firing at Extreme Elevation

Friday, June 15th

Air Operations, Carolines

Royal Navy carrier aircraft from the heavy carrier HMS Implacable attack the Truk Atoll day and night.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 3 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 47 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack stores and numerous road, rail, and river targets.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • Supplementing Royal Australian Air Force efforts, FEAF B-24s attack artillery positions at Balikpapan.
  • 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s and XIII Fighter Command P-38s attack targets around Brunei and Kudat.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

  • 84 V Bomber Command B-24s attack the airfield at Taichu.
  • 2 386th Bomb Squadron B-32s attack a sugar mill at Taito with 16 2,000-pound bombs.
  • B-25s attack Rokko and the airfield at Okaseki.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • 444 XXI Bomber Command B-29s attack Osaka and Amagasaki with 3,157 tons of incendiary bombs. 25 B-29s attack other targets.
    • 2 B-29s are lost.
  • VII Fighter Command P-51s dispatched to escort B-29s over Japan abort in the face of bad weather.
  • During the night, 30 505th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s sow mines in Shimonoseki Strait and off Fukuoka, Fushiki, and Karatsu.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets on Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Pacific

The blighted city of Osaka is revisited by US B-29s, and is bombarded with a further 3,000 tons of bombs and incendiaries.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Britain, Home Front

Parliament is dissolved in anticipation of the first General Election since 1935.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Burma

The mopping up in the Shan Mountains are ends. Mountbatten addresses a Victory Parade in Rangoon.

[larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

Dutch East Indies

Australian forces complete clearing the islands of Labuan and Muara, off Borneo.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

Okinawa

The Marines in action of Kunishi Ridge are unable to advance and suffer heavy casualties. The 1st Division, already short of men, is integrated with the 8th Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division. The elimination of the Japanese positions on Mount Yaeju and Mount Yuza by the XXIV Corps goes on slowly.

Damaged in a collision in the Okinawa area is the US destroyer escort O'Flaherty (DE-340).

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • The US submarine Sea Dog (SS-401) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Koan Maru (884t) south of Mikurajima.
  • The Japanese freighter No.2 Tanshin Maru is sunk by marine casualty near Malay peninsula.
  • The Japanese merchant cargo ship Heiryu Maru (1224t) sinks after colliding with submerged wreck southwest of Shinshin Island, Korea.
  • The Japanese cargo vessel Junkawa Maru is sunk by mine off Surabaia, Sumatra.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon in the north of the island, Filipino guerrillas seize Cervantes. The US 37th Division pushes on in the Cagayan valley, eliminating a Japanese strongpoint about 3 miles from Santiago, near Cabanatuan.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]


Images from June 15, 1945

Medal of Honor Recipients


Medal of Honor Recipients

Bombardment of Truk


Bombardment of Truk

I-165 Class Submarine


I-165 Class Submarine

Searching for Japanese Activity


Searching for Japanese Activity

Saturday, June 16th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 2 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 41 14th Air Force P-51s attack various targets.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • Supplementing Royal Australian Air Force efforts, FEAF B-24s attack Samarinda, Tawau, and artillery positions at Balikpapan.
  • 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack the Brunei Bay area.
  • XIII Fighter Command P-38s attack airfields and targets of opportunity. Labuan Island is declared secure.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

  • More than 90 V Bomber Command B-24s attack Takao and port facilities at Kiirun.
  • 3 386th Bomb Squadron B-32s attack Taito.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

4 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s and 4 B-25s attack shipping in the Kurile Islands. 2 B-25s with mechanical problems land in the USSR, where they and their crews are interned.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets and support US 6th Army ground forces on Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands. At 2030 hours, a US picket destroyer is mortally damaged by an aerial torpedo that claims the lives of 152 members of her 340-man crew.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Belgium, Politics

Belgian Premier Achille van Acker and his cabinet resign in protest against the contemplated return of King Leopold III.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Okinawa

Fighting continues in the south of the island. The 381st Infantry succeeds in taking the summit of Mount Yuza.

The air offensive against American ships in the waters off Okinawa eases off slightly, but the Japanese still sink the destroyer Twiggs (DD-591) and damage the escort carrier Steamer Bay (CVE-87).

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • The US submarine Piranha (SS-389) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Eiso Maru (2274t) off southern Hokkaido.
  • The British submarine Taciturn sinks the Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser CHA-105 off Surabaya, Java.
  • The Japanese army cargo ship Taikyu Maru (2128t) is sunk by mine west of the mouth of Kammon Channel.
  • The Japanese merchant cargo ship No.35 Banshu Maru is sunk by mine off Fukuoka, Japan.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]


Images from June 16, 1945

Yuza Peak Under Attack


Yuza Peak Under Attack

Australian Army Nurses on Morotai


Australian Army Nurses on Morotai

Mobile Radar Repair Shops


Mobile Radar Repair Shops

Engine Room on the Hobart


Engine Room on the <i>Hobart</i>

Sunday, June 17th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 6 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 58 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack various targets.
  • Gen Henry H. Arnold, USAAF commanding general, requests in a letter to Gen Albert C. Wedemeyer that Lt-Gen George E. Stratemeyer immediately replace Lt-Gen Claire L. Chennault as commander of the American air forces in China.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s attack oil refineries and artillery positions at Balikpapan.
  • Supplementing Royal Australian Air Force efforts, 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s and XIII Fighter Command P-38s attack Labuan Island and Limbang, Borneo, and sweep the area between Beaufort and Jesselton.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

  • V Bomber Command B-24s attack industrial plants and rail targets at Kiirun.
  • V Fighter Command P-38s attack a rail bridge and motor vehicles at Soton.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • 8 28th Composite Bomb Group B-25s mount anti-shipping sweeps over the Kurile Islands.
  • During the night, the XXI Bomber Command opens a fire-bombing offensive against 'secondary' Japanese cities: 116 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack Omuta; 130 73rd Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack Hamamatsu; 89 313th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack Yokkaichi; 117 314th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack Kagoshima; and 4 B-29s attack targets of opportunity.
  • 25 505th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s sow mines in Shimonoseki Strait.
    • 1 B-29 is lost.
  • 6th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 night hecklers dispatched from Ie Shima against targets on Kyushu and Amami Gunto abort in the face of bad weather.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets and support US 6th Army ground forces on Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Pacific

B-29s of the 21st Bomber Command, 20th Air Force, carry out the first in a series of complex night incendiary raids on 58 of the smaller industrial cities in Japan. 3 or 4 cities are raided simultaneously, at 2- to 3-day intervals. The targets are virtually undefended and only 1 bomber is shot down and 66 damaged. These raids continue until the night of August 14.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

China

Gen Henry H. Arnold gives order for Gen Claire Chennault to be replaced by Gen George E. Stratemeyer as Commander of the US air forces operating in China.

All Japanese troops in south China begin withdrawing northward in five long columns between the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Okinawa

The arrival of reinforcements in the Kunishi Ridge area enables the Americans to begin to overcome the tenacious Japanese resistance. In the XXIV Corps sector, the last Japanese defense line is crumbling. The 7th Division completes the capture of Hills 153 and 115. The commander of the Japanese naval base on Okinawa, Adm Minoru Ota, is found dead, having committed hara-kiri.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • The US submarine Spadefish (SS-411) attacks a Japanese convoy off Matsuta Misaki, Hokkaido and sinks the Japanese auxiliary minelayer Eijo Maru (2274t).
  • The Japanese merchant cargo ship Jintsugawa Maru is sunk by marine casualty off Najin, Korea.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon in the US I Corps sector, units of the 37th Division take Naguilian after forcing the passage of the Cagayan River near the town.

The US gasoline tanker Chestatee (AOG-49) is damaged in a collision in the Luzon area of the Philippine Islands.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]


Images from June 17, 1945

Weston Operation


Weston Operation

Wading On Shore during Weston Operation


Wading On Shore during Weston Operation

Disembarked Aussies at Weston


Disembarked Aussies at Weston

Australian Commander Entertaining the Sultan


Australian Commander Entertaining the Sultan

Monday, June 18th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • More than 70 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack various targets.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • Supplementing Royal Australian Air Force efforts, FEAF B-24s attack defensive positions at Sepinggang and troops at Balikpapan and near Manggar and Miri.
  • 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s support Australian Army ground forces on Labuan Island.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

  • V Bomber Command B-24s attack port facilities at Kiirun.
  • V Fighter Command P-51s attack the airfields at Taien and Toyohara.
  • P-38s attack Kari.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

US Navy PB4Ys and 6 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s attack targets in the Kurile Islands.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers support US 6th Army ground forces on Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • Upon the death in action of the US 10th Army commander, Gen Simon B. Buckner, the III Marine Amphipious Corps commander, Lt-Gen Roy S. Geiger, is elevated to replace him. Geiger is thus the first (and still the only) aviator ever to command an American field army in battle.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Pacific

US bombers begin a series of violent raids against 23 major Japanese towns, all with populations between 100,000 and 350,000.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Dutch East Indies

Australian units reach Tutong in Brunei.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

Japan, Home Front

On instructions from Emperor Hirohito, Prime Minister Suzuki tells the Japanese Supreme Council of Emperor Hirohito's intention to seek peace with the Allies as soon as possible.

[larrlarr | rarrrarr2]

Occupied Germany

Col-Gen Nikolai Berzarin, outspoken Soviet military commander in Berlin, is killed in a traffic accident. He was 40.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Okinawa

The remains of the Japanese 32nd Army are still putting up a determined resistance to the attacks of the US III Amphibious Corps and XXIV Corps. Gen Simon B. Buckner is killed by an enemy shell while inspecting the lines of the 8th Marines. He is replaced as commander of the US 10th Army by Gen Roy S. Geiger, Commander of the 2nd Marine Division.

The US seaplane tender Yakutat (AVP-32) is damaged in a collision in the Okinawa area.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • The US motor minesweeper YMS-90 is damaged by a mine in the Balikpapan area of Borneo and later sunk by US forces.
  • The US submarine Apogon (SS-308) attacks a Japanese convoy southwest of Paramushiro, Kurils, and sinks the transport Hakuai Maru (2614t) and the guardboat No.2 Kusonoki Maru.
  • The US submarine Bonefish (SS-223) sinks the Japanese cargo ship Konzan Maru (5488t) off the west coast of Honshu. Bonefish, however, is later sunk by escort destroyer Okinawa, Coast Defense Vessel No.63, Coast Defense Vessel No.75, Coast Defense Vessel No.158, and Coast Defense Vessel No.207 in the Sea of Japan. Bonefish is reported overdue and presumed lost on July 30, 1945.
  • The Japanese auxiliary sailing vessel No.58 Sakura Maru is sunk by the US submarine Bullhead (SS-332) in Sunda Strait off Merak.
  • The US submarine Dentuda (SS-335) sinks the Japanese guardboats Reiko Maru and Heiwa Maru in the East China Sea.
  • The Japanese ship Wakae Maru is sunk by the US submarine Tinosa (SS-283) off Goseong, Korea.
  • Mines sink the Japanese transport Shintai Maru west of Noto-Hanto, auxiliary submarine chaser CHA-107 southwest of Mojizaki light and merchant cargo ships Nissho Maru (1276t) off Moji and Bizan Maru (3420t) off northern Honshu.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon units of the US 37th Division, with an armored column, continue their advance in the Cagayan valley, taking Ilagan airfield and crossing the Ilagan River.

On Mindanao the Japanese cease all organized resistane. For some time their 35th Army has been fored to live on roots and the bark of trees. However, small units continue to resist for some time.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

United States, Home Front

Eisenhower addresses a joint meeting of the US Congress as he begins a series of victory celebrations in his honor.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

War Crimes

In London William 'Lord Haw Haw' Joyce goes on trial. He will be found guilty of broadcasting war propaganda from Germany and will be executed.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]


Images from June 18, 1945

Eisenhower Receiving Distinguished Service Medal


Eisenhower Receiving Distinguished Service Medal

Tomori Stone Lion


Tomori Stone Lion

Last Picture of US Army Lt-Gen Simon Bolivar Buckner


Last Picture of US Army Lt-Gen Simon Bolivar Buckner

Tuesday, June 19th

Air Operations, Carolines

The 315th Very Heavy Bomb Wing’s Guam-based 501st Very Heavy Bomb Group, in B-29s, makes its combat debut with an attack against fortifications in the Truk Atoll.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 5 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and more than 80 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack troops and numerous transportation targets.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • Supplementing Royal Australian Air Force efforts, FEAF B-24s attack artillery positions and fortifications at Balikpapan.
  • 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack the Kudat area, Borneo's Keningau airfield, and other targets in northern Borneo.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

  • V Bomber Command B-24s attack warehouses and port and rail facilities at Kiirun.
  • B-25s attack rail yards at Shoka.
  • V Fighter Command P-51s attack 2 bridges at Shoka and anti-aircraft batteries between Rokko and Toyohara.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • During the night 136 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack Toyohashi with incendiary bombs; 221 73rd and 313th Very Heavy Bomb wing B-29s attack Fukuoka with incendiary bombs; 123 314th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack Shizuoka with incendiary bombs; and 3 B-29s attack targets of opportunity. 28 505th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s sow mines in Shimonoseki Strait and off Maizuru, Miyazu, and Niigata.
    • 2 B-29s are lost.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack numerous targets and support a Filipino guerrilla ground offensive on Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands. VMF(N)-533 F6Fs down 2 G4M 'Betty' bombers off Okinawa at 0135 and 0157, respectively.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Belgium, Politics

King Leopold III refuses to abdicate the Belgian throne. He will remain until 1951 when his wartime role finally forces him to step down.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Burma

British and Indian forces invade Thailand from Burma.

[larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

Okinawa

Making use of insistent propaganda by means of leaflets and loudspeakers, the Americans induce as many as 343 Japanese to surrender. The enemy retires in disorder before the III Amphibious Corps, but still offers strong resistance in the XXIV Corps sector.

The US minesweepers Device (AM-220) and Dour (AM-223) are damaged in a collision in the Okinawa area.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • The US destroyer Dunlap (DD-384), while patroling north of Chichi Jima, sinks the Japanese luggers Gorgen Maru, Legaspi Maru and the cargo ship Kasidori Maru. The enemy ships are en route to evacuate non-combatants to the Japanese home islands and to take off supplies of gasoline.
  • The US submarine Bullhead (SS-332) sinks the Japanese auxiliary sailing vessel No.57 Tachibana Maru ins Sunda Strait off Merak.
  • The Japanese merchant cargo ship Zaosan Maru (2631t) is sunk by the US sumbarine Cabezon (SS-334) southwest of Paramushiro, Kurils.
  • The US submarine Sea Dog (SS-401) attacks a Japanese convoy off the northwest coast of Hokkaido and sinks the army cargo ship Kokai Maru (1272t) and the merchant cargo ship No.3 Shinhei Maru.
  • The Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Koshun Maru is lost to marine casualty off Yura Saki, eastern Bungo Suido.
  • Mines sink the Japanese merchant tanker No.1 Nanki Maru (834t) off Aki-Nada in the western part of the Inland Sea.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

United States, Home Front

4 million people give Eisenhower a 'ticker-tape' welcome in New York City.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

World Affairs

Spain is barred from UN membership as long as the Franco regime remains in power. Spain will be admitted in 1955, however, while Franco still rules.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


Images from June 19, 1945

USS Bonefish


<i>USS Bonefish</i>

Bombing of Fukuoka


Bombing of Fukuoka

Downtown Fukuoka after the Bombing


Downtown Fukuoka after the Bombing

Wednesday, June 20th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 37 14th Air Force P-51s attack numerous transportation targets and targets of opportunity.
  • Gen Albert C. Wedemeyer acknowledges Gen Henry H. Arnold’s June 17 letter by approving Lt-Gen George E. Stratemeyer’s effective elevation to command of the Army Air Forces, China Theater. Under Stratemeyer, Lt-Gen Claire L. Chennault will command the Strategic Air Force, China Theater, and Brig-Gen Howard C. Davidson will command the Tactical Air Force, China Theater.
FRENCH INDOCHINA
  • 8 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 6 51st Fighter Group P-51s attack bridges near My Chanh and Quang Tri.
  • 8 fighter-bombers attack 3 river steamers in a canal near Haiphong.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

Supplementing Royal Australian Air Force efforts, FEAF B-24s attack anti-aircraft batteries in the Balikpapan area.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

V Bomber Command B-24s attack the airfield at Shinchiku.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • 13 318th Fighter Group P-47s attack the Omura airfield on Kyushu and Tokuno Shima.
  • 14 P-47s attack the Amami Gunto airfield and Tokuno Shima.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers support the Filipino guerrilla offensive on Luzon. In the largest mission of its kind to date in the Mindanao (or Philippines) Campaign, airborne coordinators direct 148 1st Marine Aircraft Wing F4Us and SBDs—every USMC combat airplane that can be spared—against a large Japanese Army troop concentration in western Mindanao’s Umayam River valley. Despite bad weather, 75 tons of bombs are expended over a 4-hour period, with the result that an estimated 500 JapaneseIJA soldiers are killed.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

China

The Allies plan to capture Fort Bayard (now Zhanijang), on the South China Sea, by August 1 to serve as a base area for the campaign against Hong Kong and Canton.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Diplomatic Relations

The Anglo-Yugoslav Agreement is made on zones of occupation in Trieste.

Polish leaders in London deny the legal right of the Russians to try the Polish ministers who had flown to Moscow.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Dutch East Indies

The Australian forces extend their occupation of Borneo, landing at Lutong in eastern Sarawak, 82 miles from Brunei Bay.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

Okinawa

In the central sector of the XXIV Corps front, Japanese pockets hold out strongly against American pressure. The 32nd Infantry, 7th Division, reaches Height 89, near Mabuni, where the Japanese headquarters have been identified. On the wings, the Marines on the right and the infantry on the left advance almost unopposed, capturing over 1,000 prisoners and reaching the south coast of the island at many points.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • The US motor minesweeper YMS-368 is damaged by a mine in the Balikpapan area of Borneo.
  • The US submarine Kraken (SS-370) sinks the Japanese auxiliary sailing vessel No.58 Tachibana Maru in Sunda Strait off Merak.
  • On patrol off the east coast of Korea the US submarine Tinosa (SS-283) sinks the Japanese army cargo ship Taito Maru (2726t) and the merchant cargo ship Kaisei Maru (884t).
  • The Japanese merchant tanker Nanshin Maru is sunk by mine laid by the US submarine Ray (SS-271) off Cape St Jacques, French Indochina.
  • Mines laid by USAAF B-29s sink the Japanese merchant cargo ship Kenan Maru (2220t) in north Kyushu channel and merchant tanker No.1 Nanki Maru (834t) off Aki-Nada.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon units of Filipino guerrillas come up the Cagayan valley from Aparri, on the north coast, liberate the town of Tuguegarao, half way between Aparri and Ilagan, which is as far as the Americans have reached. The task force sent north by the Americans now enters Aparri, while units of the 37th Division advance 2-1/2 miles north of Ilagan.

US 8th Army headquarters makes it official that the operations for the recapture of the islands of Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan and the western part of Mindanao are completed.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]


Images from June 20, 1945

Repairs to the Bennington


Repairs to the <i>Bennington</i>

US Troops Going Home


US Troops Going Home

Australians on Labuan Island


Australians on Labuan Island

GIs pack the decks of the Queen Mary


AGIs pack the decks of the <i>Queen Mary</i>

Thursday, June 21st

Air Operations, Carolines

24 VII Bomber Command B-24s attack fuel stores and the power plant at the Truk Atoll.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • More than 40 14th Air Force P-51s attack various transportation targets in northern French Indochina and southern and eastern China.
FRENCH INDOCHINA
  • 16 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack fortifications at Bac Ninh, barges at Ha Dong, and rail targets at several other locations.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • Supplementing Royal Australian Air Force efforts, FEAF B-24s attack the Manggar and Oelin airfields on Borneo, Balikpapan, and defenses at Sepinggang.
  • 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Keningau.
  • XIII Fighter Command P-38s attack the Keningau airfield on Borneo, Kudat, and caves near Jesselton.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

V Fighter Command P-38s attack the Kagi and Mato areas, and targets of opportunity along the west coast.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

During the night 25 505th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s 29s sow mines in Yuya Bay and off Fushiki, Nanao, and Senzaki.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack supplies and various other targets on Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • VMF-223 F4Us down 4 Ki-44 'Tojo' fighters near Amami O Shima at 1830 hours.
  • Lt-Gen Roy S. Geiger, the US 10th Army commanding general, declares Okinawa secure at 1330 hours.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Okinawa

Japanese resistance is almost finished. Height 89 is taken by the 32nd Inf, 7th Div. In a cave they find the bodies of Gen Mitsuru Ushijima, Commander of the 32nd Army, and his Chief of Staff, both of whom have committed suicide.

Damaged by suicide aircraft in the day's action include the destroyer escort Halloran (DE-305) and the seaplane tenders Curtiss (AV-4) and Kenneth Whiting (AV-14).

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • Coastal gunfire damages the US motor minesweeper YMS-335 in the Balikpapan area of Borneo.
  • The US submarine Parche (SS-384) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Hizen Maru (946t) off northern Honshu.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon the American advance in the Cagayan valley proceeds with almost no opposition. In the north, units of the task force sent by the Americans make contact with the Filipino guerrillas.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Soviet Union, Home Front

12 of the 16 Poles on trial in Moscow are found guilty of engaging in 'underground activities'.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Images from June 21, 1945

Canadian Soldiers Going Home


Canadian Soldiers Going Home

Tarkan Island


Tarkan Island

Japanese POWs


Japanese POWs

Destruction of Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp


Destruction of Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp

Friday, June 22nd

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and more than 40 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack various targets in northern French Indochina and southern and eastern China.
FRENCH INDOCHINA
  • 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack artillery positions, rail facilities, and motor vehicles at Hanoi.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s and XIII Fighter Command P-38 dive-bombers attack artillery positions and defenses in the Balikpapan area.
  • 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack warehouses and other buildings in the Balikpapan area.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

  • 11 43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-24s and 23 22nd Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack an oil cracking plant and anti-aircraft batteries, respectively, at Toshien.
  • 2 386th Bomb Squadron B-32s attack barracks and artillery positions at Heito.
  • V Fighter Command P-38s attack Heito.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • 162 58th and 73d Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack the Kure naval arsenal.
  • 52 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an aircraft factory at Himeji.
  • 34 313th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack aircraft factories at Kagamigahara.
  • 25 313th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an aircraft factory at Akashi.
  • 108 314th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an aircraft factory at Himeji.
  • 37 B-29s attack various targets of opportunity.
    • 5 B-29s are lost in the day's operations.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers support Filipino guerrilla forces on Luzon. A 6-man US Army pathfinding team is flown to the vicinity of Aparri, Luzon, to mark an airborne drop zone.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • A 548th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 crew downs an A6M2-N 'Rufe' fighter-bomber at 0016 hours.
  • VMF(N)-533 F6F night-fighter downs a P1Y 'Galaxy' bomber near Okinawa at 0057 hours. VMF(N)-533 F6Fs down 2 Ki-21 'Sally' bombers near Okinawa at 0230 and 0233, respectively.
  • 318th Fighter Group P-47s down 3 A6M Zeros near Kikai Shima at 0730 hours.
  • 413th Fighter Group P-47s down an A6M Zero and 7 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over Amami O Shima at 0800 hours.
  • US Marine Corps F4Us down 28 Japanese aircraft near Okinawa between 0750 and 1645.
  • A VMF(N)-533 F6F downs a G4M 'Betty' bomber near Ie Shima at 2245 hours.
  • During the morning, in what turns out to be the final major kamikaze attack of the Okinawa Campaign, a medium landing ship and a large landing ship are severely damaged by kamikazes. Organized Japanese resistance on Okinawa collapses.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Pacific

US planes drop 3,000 tons of bombs on Japanese munitions plants in Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya, and Okayama.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

China

Chinese forces are at the gates of Liuchow, which the Japanese set on fire before retiring.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Dutch East Indies

The Australians wipe out all Japanese resistance on Tarakan Island, off the northeast coast of Borneo.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

New Guinea

The Australians drive the Japanese 18th Army from Mounts Tazaki and Shiburangu. The latter takes place on the 27th.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Okinawa

With the end of all enemy resistance, the Americans hold a ceremony to celebrate the capture of the island. Victory has cost them 12,520 men dead and 36,631 wounded. The Japanese have lost 110,000 dead, about 90 percent of those involved, and 7,400 have been take prisoner. And they have also lost at least 7,800 aircraft, though these have sunk 36 American ships and damaged 368 killing 4,907 men in the process. The US air offensive continues. The air bases and naval bases on Okinawa bring the Americans considerably nearer to their next objective -- Japan itself.

Suicide planes damage two US ships, the high-speed minesweeper Ellyson (DMS-19) and the landing craft LST-534, in the Okinawa area.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • Coastal gunfire damages another US ship, the motor minesweeper YMS-10, in the Balikpapan area of Borneo.
  • Mines laid by USAAF B-29s sink the Japanese merchant cargo ships Yubu Maru (884) in Kammon Channel, Tokasegawa Maru (879t) off Tsutura in Kammon Channel, Taigen Maru (884t) near Kammon Channel, and Ungetsu Maru north of Mutsure.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon the Americans decide to carry out a parachute drop on the north coast near Aparri. While the 37th Division pushes on northward taking Tamauini, coming within 6 miles of Cabagan, the Filipino guerillas who liberated Taguegarao are driven from it by the Japanese.

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Images from June 22, 1945

End of Organized Japanese Resistance on Okinawa


End of Organized Japanese Resistance on Okinawa

Surrendered E-Boats Arrive at Portsmouth


Surrendered E-Boats Arrive at Portsmouth

Saturday, June 23rd

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 17 14th Air Force fighter-bombers strafe river traffic and rail targets at various locations from Peking to Hanoi and Vinh.
FRENCH INDOCHINA
  • 4 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack a bridge at Phu Lang Thuong.
  • 4 449th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack a locomotive and barracks areas at Lang Son and Les Pins.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s, 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s, and XIII Fighter Command P-38s mount more than 150 effective sorties against artillery positions and defenses in the Balikpapan area.
  • In support of the upcoming Australian Army invasion of Balikpapan, Borneo, the V Bomber Command’s 22nd Heavy and 38th Medium Bomb Groups redeploy to 13th Air Force bases on Morotai and Palawan, respectively.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • 40 318th Fighter Group P-47s attack the airfield at Saitozaki.
  • 38 P-47s attack the Hakata and Itazuke airfields on Kyushu and 2 boats off Amami Gunto.
  • 99 VII Fighter Command P-51s attack the airfields at Hyakuri and Kagamigahara.
  • In the Kurile Islands, 6 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s attack Kataoka and 2 B-24s attack shipping.
  • 15th and 506th Fighter group P-51s down 19 fighters between 1304 and 1330 hours.
  • During the night 26 505th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s sow mines off Fukuoka, Karatsu, Niigata, and Sakai.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

V Bomber Command B-24s attack a fuel plant at Kobi.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

  • V Bomber Command A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack troops and occupied towns at various locations on Luzon.
  • The 317th Troop Carrier Group, in C-47s, plus 7 433rd Troop Carrier Group C-46 glider tugs, drop parachute- and glider-borne elements of the US 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment on the Lipa airfield on Luzon. No opposition is encountered at the drop zone and the paratroopers are now poised to close a loop around Japanese Army ground forces in Luzon’s Cagayan Valley.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Diplomatic Relations

An agreement is made in Moscow between the Polish administrations in London and Lublin on the formation of a Provisional Government.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Okinawa

The systematic mopping up of the island begins. Gen Joseph Stilwill takes command of the US 10th Army in place of Gen Roy S. Geiger.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • The US motor minesweeper YMS-364 is damaged by coastal gunfire in the Balikpapan area of Borneo.
  • The US submarine Hardhead (SS-365) sinks the Japanese submarine chasers Nos. CHA-42 and CHA-113 and the Shuttleboat No.833 in the Java Sea.
  • The US submarine Tirante (SS-420) sinks the Japanese merchant sailing junk No.293 Antung Maru off the west coast of Korea.
  • Mines sink the Japanese merchant cargo ship Goshu Maru (2211t) of Mutsure light.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon at 9:00am a battalion of the US 511th Parachute Regiment is dropped on an airfield south of Aparri, on the north coast. The landing takes place without incident and the unit quickly makes contact with the Filipino guerrillas and moves off southward to join up with the 37th Division.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Poland

The Soviet-sponsored Lublin Committee governing Poland agree to include 3 non-communist former exiles.

[larr2larr]


Images from June 23, 1945

Ammunitioning At Sea


Ammunitioning At Sea

Aerial Mining of Waters off Korea


Aerial Mining of Waters off Korea

US Paratroopers Land In Northern Luzon


US Paratroopers Land In Northern Luzon

Command Change, India-Burma Theater


Command Change, India-Burma Theater

Sunday, June 24th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 13 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 12 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack bridges and anti-aircraft batteries near Chenghsien and at Lohochai, as well as horse-drawn transport, rail lines, and targets of opportunity and various other locations.
  • More than 40 fighter-bombers attack lines of communication and artillery positions at various locations.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s and XIII Fighter Command P-38s attack Balikpapan and nearby shore defenses.
  • FEAF B-25s attack the Manggar airfield on Borneo and warehouses at Balikpapan.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

2 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s attack Kurabu Cape with the aid of radar.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers support US 6th Army and Filipino guerrilla forces on Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • 318th Fighter Group P-47s attack targets in the Sakishima Islands.
  • A VMF(N)-533 F6F downs a G3M 'Nell' bomber 73 miles from Ie Shima at 0157 hours.
  • A 548th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 crew downs a G4M 'Betty' bomber at sea at 2140 hours.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Volcano Islands

A 549th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 crew downs an A6M Zero near Iwo Jima at 0230 hours.

[rarrrarr]

Pacific

  • The US destroyer escort Neuendorf (DE-200) is damaged in a collision in the Philippine Islands area.
  • The US motor minesweeper YMS-339 is damaged when it is accidentally bombed by US aircraft in the Balikpapan area of Borneo.
  • The US submarine Tirante (SS-420) sinks the Japanese merchant sailing junk No.284 Antung Maru off the west coast of Korea.
  • Mines sink Japanese merchant cargo ships Katsura Maru (884t), No.8 Kenkon Maru (882t) off Mutsure light and Tatsukaba Maru at the mouth of Karatsu Bay.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Soviet Union, Home Front

A Victory Parade is held in Moscow. Captured Nazi banners are ceremonially dragged across Red Square.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Thailand

The bridge over the River Kwai, symbol of the horrifying use of slave and POW labor by the Japanese, is destroyed in a British bombing raid. The Japanese rail link to Thailand is being cut to pieces by Allied bombing, with US forces even using new radar-guided bombs to make accurate hits on bridges and depots.



Images from June 24, 1945

Rehearsal for Oboe 2 Operation


Rehearsal for Oboe 2 Operation

Victory Parade, Moscow Red Square


Victory Parade, Moscow Red Square

Victory Parade, Moscow Red Square


Victory Parade, Moscow Red Square

Monday, June 25th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 18 341st Medium Bombt Group B-25s and more than 95 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack Japanese Army troop movements, transportation targets, and various other targets.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s and B-25s, and XIII Fighter Command P-38s mount intense attacks against the Balikpapan area, nearby shore defenses, and the Manggar airfield on Borneo.
  • B-24s attack the Mandai airfield on Celebes.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

During the night V Fighter Command P-61s attack a sugar refinery at Ensuiko.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

During the night 26 505th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s sow mines in Shimonoseki Strait and off Obama Island and Maizuru.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Bomber Command B-25s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack troops and other targets in several regions of Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Pacific

TF 92, cruisers Richmond and Concord with 4 destroyers, leaves Attu for the Sea of Okhotsk. They scatter a Japanese convoy the following day.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Dutch East Indies

The Miri oil fields in Sarawak are captured by Australian forces.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

Occupied Austria

The Allies announce their 4 zones of occupation.

[rarrrarr2]

Philippines

On Luzon the American paratroopers dropped at Aparri advance south taking Gattaran. 7 villages south of Prome are cleared of Japanese units. Units of the 37th Division recapture Taguegarao, from which the Japanese had expelled the Filipino guerrillas.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]


Images from June 25, 1945

President Truman Addressing the Conference


President Truman Addressing the Conference

Victory Parade in Colombo


Victory Parade in Colombo

Labuan Island, British North Borneo


Labuan Island, British North Borneo

P-51D of the 41st Fighter Squadron


P-51D of the 41st Fighter Squadron

Tuesday, June 26th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 21 14th Air Force P-51s attack transportation targets at various locations. Chinese Army ground forces recapture Liuchow Airdome.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s and B-25s attack the Balikpapan area.
  • B-24s attack the Limboeng airfield on Celebes/Limboeng and the Trombol airfield on Borneo.
  • During the night 868th Heavy Bomb Squadron SB-24s attack an airfield near Soerabaja Strait.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

V Bomber Command B-24s attack a sugar refinery at Tanchi.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • 64 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack industrial targets in Osaka.
  • 60 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an aircraft factory at Kagamigahara.
  • 109 73rd Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack the Osaka arsenal.
  • 31 313th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an aircraft factory at Akashi.
  • 50 313th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an aircraft factory at Eitoku.
  • 58 314th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack the Nagoya arsenal.
  • 29 314th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an industrial plant at Nagoya.
  • 25 314th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an aircraft factory at Kagamigahara.
  • 57 B-29s attack various secondary targets and targets of opportunity.
    • 6 B-29s are lost in the day's attacks.
  • 15th Fighter Group P-51 escorts down a Ki-61 'Tony' fighter and an A6M Zero over the Nagoya area during the late morning.
  • During the night 33 B-29s from the 315th Very Heavy Bombt Wing’s 16th Very Heavy Bomb Group make their unit’s combat debut with an attack against oil-industry targets in Yokkaichi.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack Japanese Army troops concentrations and support US 6th Army and Filipino guerrilla forces on Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • VMF(N)-533 F6Fs down an E13A 'Jake' reconnaissance plane and an A6M2-N 'Rufe' fighter-bomber off Okinawa at 0125 and 0205 hours, respectively.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Pacific

Radar-equipped B-29 Superfortresses launch a series of night raids against Japanese oil refineries. This is the first of a series which will continue until August.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

China

Chinese troops take Liuchow airfield.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Pacific

  • The US motor minesweeper YMS-39 is sunk by a mine in the Balikpapan area of Borneo. Damaged by a mine in the same area and later sunk by US forces is the motor minesweeper YMS-365.
  • The US seaplane tender Suisun (AVP-53) is damage in a collision in the Okinawa area.
  • The US destroyers Bearss (DD-654), John Hood (DD-655), Jarvis (DD-799) and Porter (DD-800) sink the Japanese submarine chasers CHA-73, CHA-206 and CHA-209 and guardboat No.2 Kusunoki Maru south of Onekotan, Kurils.
  • The US submarine Parche (SS-384) attacks a Japanese convoy off Todosaki, southern Honshu, and sinks the gunboat Kamitsu Maru.
  • The Japanese destroyer escort Enoki is sunk by mine off Fukui, Japan.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon the parachute battalion dropped near Aparri joins up with the US 37th Division, which takes over command both of the parachute battalion and of the task force sent north earlier and of the guerrillas operating in the area.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Ryukyu Islands

Marine units land on Kume Island, where a new radar station is installed.

[rarrrarr | rarr]

War Crimes

Allied lawyers discuss War Crimes Trial procedures in London.

[rarrrarr | rarr]

World Affairs

The San Francisco Conference of the United Nations comes to an end. The Charter of the United Nations is signed by the representatives of the 50 countries taking part, but is not ratified until October 24. Truman pleads with the signatories to translate the 'lofty words' of the Charter into 'worthy deeds'.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


Images from June 26, 1945

Signing the UN Charter


Signing the UN Charter

Loading 1000lb Bomb on a P-47


Loading 1000lb Bomb on a P-47

Australian Infantry Company's Signalling Position


Australian infantry company's signalling position

Avro Lancastrian


Avro Lancastrian

Wednesday, June 27th

Air Operations, Carolines

VII Bomber Command B-24s attack the Truk Atoll.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s attack the Limboeng and Mandai airfields on Celebes and oil facilities and shore defenses at Balikpapan.
  • B-25s attack warehouses and port facilities at Balikpapan.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • 318th Fighter Group P-47s attack targets on several islands south of Kyushu.
  • During the night 29 505th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s sow mines in Hagi, Kobe, and Niigata harbors.
  • 5 6th Night Fighter Squadron P-61s attack the Wan airfield on Kikai Shima and shipping near Amami Gunto.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets and support US 6th Army and Filipino guerrilla forces on Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • 318th Fighter Group P-47s attack targets in the Sakishima Islands.
  • A VMF(N)-542 F6F downs an F1M 'Pete' reconnaissance plane off Okinawa at 2330 hours.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Czechoslovakia, Home Front

Former puppet President of the Bohemia-Moravia Protectorate, Dr Emil Hacha, dies in a Prague prison hospital at the age of 73, while awaiting trial.


Pacific

  • The US destroyer Caldwell (DD-605) is damage by a mine in the Brunei Bay area of Borneo.
  • The Japanese submarine I-165 is sunk by US naval land-bases aircraft (VPB-142) in the Central Pacific area.
  • The Japanese submarine chaser CHA-2 is sunk by the US submarine Blueback (SS-326) in the Java Sea.
  • Mines sink the Japanese merchant cargo ships Mifuku Maru (1211t) outside Nanao harbor and No.7 Kaishin Maru (873t) off Mutsure, Japan.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

On Luzon units of the 37th Division, US I Corps, reaches Aparri, on the north coast. The Japanese, mostly gathered on the Sierra Madre in the northeast of the island, are cut off and reduced to a pitiful condition for lack of supplies and medical care. With the occupation by the Americans of the whole of the Cagayan valley, the campaign for the recapture of Luzon is now virtually over.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Soviet Union

Stalin is appointed to the new rank of 'Generalissimo'.

[larr2larr | rarr]

Images from June 27, 1945

Keeping Communications Intact


Keeping Communications Intact

Aboard an LST


Aboard an LST

Refugees in Berlin


Refugees in Berlin

Crossing a Bamboo Footbridge


Crossing a Bamboo Footbridge

Thursday, June 28th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 7 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 32 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack various targets.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s attack the Langoan and Limboeng airfields on Celebes, the Manggar area, and Oelin and Tabanio.
  • B-24s, B-25s, and XIII Fighter Command P-38s based at the Sanga Sanga airfield in the Sulu Archipelago cover the Balikpapan bombardment flotilla at about the extremity of their range.
  • In the evening, after the retirement of the XIII Fighter Command combat air patrol, 5 to 7 Japanese Navy land-based torpedo planes attack the Balikpapan bombardment flotilla. No damage results and 3 of the aircraft are downed by anti-aircraft fire.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

V Bomber Command B-24s attack a fuel plant at Keishu.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • 39 318th Fighter Group P-47s attack Tokuno Shima and shipping at Koniya.
  • During the night, 138 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack Okayama.
  • 141 73rd Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack Sasebo.
  • 91 313th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack Moji.
  • 117 314th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack Nobeoka.
  • 5 B-29s attack other targets.
    • 1 B-29 is lost in the evening's action.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack defenses and troop concentrations, and support US 6th Army and Filipino guerrilla forces on Luzon.

[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • 26 318th Fighter Group P-47s attack targets in Sakishima Islands.
  • A VMF(N)-533 F6F downs an E13A 'Jake' reconnaissance plane off Okinawa at 0105 hours.
[rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

Air Operations, Pacific

B-29s drop nearly 3,000 tons of incendiaries on the Sasebo naval base.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Dutch East Indies

Australian units capture Kuala Belait.

[rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

Pacific

Mines sink the Japanese merchant cargo ship Daikokusan Maru (692t) off Moji, Japan.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Philippines

Gen MacArthur announces the effective re-capture of Luzon from the Japanese. Although organized Japanese resistance has collapsed, there is much mopping-up work to do. US forces have lost 7,933 men killed and 32,732 wounded retaking Luzon, as opposed to 192,000 Japanese dead.

[larr2larr | rarrrarr]

Poland, Politics

A new Polish government is formed in Warsaw.



Images from June 28, 1945

Last of 18,482 B-24 Liberator Bombers To Be Built


Last of 18,482 B-24 Liberator Bombers To Be Built

Tarakan Airstrip


Tarakan Airstrip

PT Boat Patrol


PT Boat Patrol

Seria, British North Borneo


Seria, British North Borneo

Friday, June 29th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 15 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 4 81st Fighter Group P-47s attack 2 bridges at Chungmow.
  • 18 14th Air Force P-51s attack various targets.
  • A 311th Fighter Group P-51 downs a Ki-44 'Tojo' fighter over Peking's Southeast airfield at 1320 hours.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s and B-25s, XIII Fighter Command P-38s, and US Navy and Marine Corps carrier-based aircraft attack the Balikpapan area.
  • B-24s attack the Fort Brook and Oelin airfields on Borneo.
[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Formosa

V Bomber Command B-24s attack an oil refinery at Shinchiku.

[rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

Air Operations, Japan

  • 34 318th Fighter Group P-47s attack the Kanoya airfield on Kyushu and the airfield at Kushira as well as shipping on the return flight.
  • During the night 32 315th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s attack an oil-industry target at Kudamatsu.
  • 25 505th Very Heavy Bomb Group B-29s sow mines in Shimonoseki Strait and off Maizuru and Sakata.
[larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

Air Operations, Philippines

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers support US Army and Filipino guerrilla forces on Luzon.

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Air Operations, Ryukyus

US Navy and Marine aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.

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Air Operations, Pacific

Allied bombers raid the Balikpapan oil installations for the 9th consecutive day.

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Diplomatic Relations

Ruthenia is formally ceded to the Soviet Union by Czechoslovakia. Russia has thus acquired since 1939 a total of 300,000 square miles of new territory in Europe, land greater in size than the state of Texas.

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Pacific

Mines laid by USAAF B-29s sink the merchant cargo ship Kyokuto Maru off Mutsure.

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United States, Planning

Pres Truman approves plans for the invasion of Japan. Two operations are outlined, involving a total of 36 US divisions. The first, Operation OLYMPIC, proposes landing 13 divisions on Kyushu on November 1, 1945. The second, Operation CORONET, looks to land the remaining 23 divisions on Honshu on March 1, 1946.

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Images from June 29, 1945

Clearing the Area near the Station


Clearing the Area near the Station

Visiting Brunei


Visiting Brunei

Saturday, June 30th

Air Operations, CBI

CHINA
  • 2 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 5 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack several targets.
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Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s and US Navy and Marine Corps carrier-based aircraft attack Balikpapan.
  • B-25s attack various targets in northeastern Borneo.
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Air Operations, Marianas

The XXI Bomber Command’s Guam-based 502nd Very Heavy Bomb Group, in B-29s, makes its combat debut with an attack against the bypassed Japanese base at Rota Island.

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Air Operations, Philippines

  • V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets and support US 6th Army and Filipino guerrilla forces on Luzon.
  • As the Luzon Campaign is formally concluded at midnight, the US 8th Army is made responsible for operations throughout the Philippine Islands and the US 6th Army headquarters withdraws from operations to begin planning for its part in the invasion of Japan.
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Air Operations, Ryukyus

  • US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands.
  • A VMF(N)-533 F6F downs an E13A 'Jake' reconnaissance plane near Okinawa at 0105 hours.
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China

Chungchin on the Indochinese border falls to the Chinese, and the Chinese forces continue their advance into Indochina itself.

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Okinawa

Mopping up of the island is finished. 8,975 Japanese are killed and 2,902 captured.

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Pacific

  • 9 US submarines which have penetrated the heavily mined Tsushima Straits sink 31 ships in the Sea of Japan during June.
  • The US destroyer Smith (DD-378) is damaged by coastal gunfire in the Balikpapan area of Borneo. The US minesweeper YMS-314 is damaged by a mine in the same area.
  • The Japanese destroyer Nara sinks after hitting a mine in the Sea of Japan.
  • In an attack on a Makassar-to-Surabaya convoy, the US submarines Baya (SS-318) and Capitaine (SS-336) sink the cargo vessel Bandai Maru.
  • The Japanese army cargo ship Hokushin Maru (5819t) is lost to an unknown cause in the South China Sea.
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    Philippines

    The Luzon campaign is officially declared ended. Mopping up of the remaining Japanese forces, still about 23,000 men in the Sierra Madre and the Kiangan-Bontoc area, will be carried out by the US 8th Army, while the 6th Army is reorganized for its next task, Operation OLYMPIC, the invasion of Japan. Mopping up is also still going on on Mindanao, and continues until the end of the war.

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Images from June 30, 1945

German Soldiers from Cherbourg


German Soldiers from Cherbourg

Royal Navy in Great Oslo Parade


Royal Navy in Great Oslo Parade

Bombarding Balikpapan, Borneo


ombarding Balikpapan, Borneo

Bombarding Balikpapan, Borneo


ombarding Balikpapan, Borneo

[ May 1945 - July 1945]