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Air Operations, CBICHINA
Air Operations, East Indies
Air Operations, Formosa
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Air Operations, JapanUS 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. [ | ]Air Operations, Philippines
Air Operations, RyukyusUS Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands. [ | ]Diplomatic RelationsDe Gaulle criticizes the British for intervention in Syria and Lebanon. [ | ] |
OkinawaMopping up continues, while the 6th Marine Division gets ready to land two regiments on the Oroku peninsula. [ | ]Pacific
PhilippinesOn Luzon in the US XI Corps sector, the 43rd Division finishes the mopping up of the Ipo area. [ | ]World AffairsAt San Francisco, Russian delegates demand the right of veto in the proposed UN Security Council. [ | ] |
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Air Operations, CBICHINA
Air Operations, East Indies
Air Operations, FormosaWeathered out of their primary and secondary targets, 11 V Bomber Command B-24s attack Taito. [ | ]Air Operations, Japan
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Air Operations, PhilippinesV Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack targets and support US 6th Army ground forces on Luzon. [ | ]Air Operations, RyukyusUS Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands. [ | ]Air Operations, PacificMore than 3,000 tons of incendiaries are dropped over Kobe in a raid by 473 B-29 bombers. [ | ]Diplomatic RelationsThe Allied agreement on the partition of Germany and the city of Berlin is signed by Eisenhower, Montgomery, de Lattre de Tassigny and Zhukov. [ | ]OkinawaThe 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. [ | ]Pacific
PhilippinesOn 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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Air Operations, CBICHINA
Air Operations, East IndiesUS 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. [ | ]Air Operations, Japan
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Air Operations, PhilippinesV Fighter Command fighter-bombers support US 6th Army ground forces on Luzon. [ | ]Air Operations, Ryukyus
BurmaBurmese guerrillas led by British officers re-take Loilem, in the Shan Mountains area. [ | ]ChinaChinese forces liberate I-shan in Kwangsi Province and pursue the Japanese toward Liuchow. Chinese force also capture Wenchow, 450 miles west of Okinawa. [ | ]Dutch East IndiesOperation 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. [ | ]Japan, Home FrontPrime Minister Suzuki is granted dictatorial powers by the Imperial Diet (Parliament). [ | ] |
Occupied GermanyZhukov decorates Eisenhower and Montgomery with the Order of Victory. [ | ]OkinawaHard 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. [ | ]Pacific
PhilippinesOn Luzon the Japanese temporarily halt the advance of the American 37th Division near Orioung Pass. [ | ] |
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Air Operations, CBICHINA
Air Operations, East Indies
Air Operations, Japan
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Air Operations, Philippines
Air Operations, RyukyusUS Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands. [ | ]Britain, Home FrontEisenhower receives the Order of Merit and the Freedom of City of London. [ | ]EuropeYugoslav forces withdraw from Trieste after urging New Zealand and Indian troops to pull out of the disputed city. [ | ]OkinawaThe 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. [ | ] |
Pacific
PhilippinesOn 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. [ | ] |
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Air Operations, CarolinesRoyal Navy carrier aircraft from the newly arrived heavy carrier HMS Implacable attack the Truk Atoll day and night. [ | ]Air Operations, CBICHINA
Air Operations, East Indies
Air Operations, PhilippinesV Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack large areas of occupied Luzon. [ | ]Air Operations, RyukyusUS Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands. [ | ] |
Allied PlanningThe 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. []BurmaA 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. [ | ]ChinaAfter re-taking I-shan, the Chinese pursue the Japanese toward Liuchow. [ | ]Occupied GermanyForeign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop is arrested by British military police in a Hamburg boardinghouse. [ | ] |
OkinawaWhile 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. [ | ]Pacific
PhilippinesOn 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. [ | ] |
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Air Operations, CarolinesRoyal Navy carrier aircraft from the heavy carrier HMS Implacable attack the Truk Atoll day and night. [ | ]Air Operations, CBICHINA
Air Operations, East Indies
Air Operations, Formosa
Air Operations, Japan
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Air Operations, PhilippinesV Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets on Luzon. [ | ]Air Operations, RyukyusUS Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands. [ | ]Air Operations, PacificThe blighted city of Osaka is revisited by US B-29s, and is bombarded with a further 3,000 tons of bombs and incendiaries. [ | ]Britain, Home FrontParliament is dissolved in anticipation of the first General Election since 1935. [ | ]BurmaThe mopping up in the Shan Mountains are ends. Mountbatten addresses a Victory Parade in Rangoon. [ | ]Dutch East IndiesAustralian forces complete clearing the islands of Labuan and Muara, off Borneo. [ | ] |
OkinawaThe 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). [ | ]Pacific
PhilippinesOn 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. [ | ] |
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Air Operations, CBICHINA
Air Operations, East Indies
Air Operations, Formosa
Air Operations, Japan4 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. [ | ] |
Air Operations, PhilippinesV 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. [ | ]Air Operations, RyukyusUS 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. [ | ]Belgium, PoliticsBelgian Premier Achille van Acker and his cabinet resign in protest against the contemplated return of King Leopold III. [ | ] |
OkinawaFighting 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). [ | ]Pacific
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Air Operations, CBICHINA
Air Operations, East Indies
Air Operations, Formosa
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Air Operations, Japan
Air Operations, PhilippinesV 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. [ | ]Air Operations, RyukyusUS Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands. [ | ]Air Operations, PacificB-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. [ | ] |
ChinaGen 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. [ | ]OkinawaThe 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. [ | ]Pacific
PhilippinesOn 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. [ | ] |
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Air Operations, CBICHINA
Air Operations, East Indies
Air Operations, Formosa
Air Operations, JapanUS Navy PB4Ys and 6 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s attack targets in the Kurile Islands. [ | ]Air Operations, PhilippinesV Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers support US 6th Army ground forces on Luzon. [ | ]Air Operations, Ryukyus
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Air Operations, PacificUS bombers begin a series of violent raids against 23 major Japanese towns, all with populations between 100,000 and 350,000. [ | ]Dutch East IndiesAustralian units reach Tutong in Brunei. [ | ]Japan, Home FrontOn 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. [ | ]Occupied GermanyCol-Gen Nikolai Berzarin, outspoken Soviet military commander in Berlin, is killed in a traffic accident. He was 40. [ | ]OkinawaThe 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. [ | ] |
Pacific
PhilippinesOn 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. [ | ]United States, Home FrontEisenhower addresses a joint meeting of the US Congress as he begins a series of victory celebrations in his honor. [ | ]War CrimesIn London William 'Lord Haw Haw' Joyce goes on trial. He will be found guilty of broadcasting war propaganda from Germany and will be executed. [ | ] |
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Air Operations, CarolinesThe 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. [ | ]Air Operations, CBICHINA
Air Operations, East Indies
Air Operations, Formosa
Air Operations, Japan
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Air Operations, PhilippinesV Bomber Command A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack numerous targets and support a Filipino guerrilla ground offensive on Luzon. [ | ]Air Operations, RyukyusUS 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. [ | ]Belgium, PoliticsKing Leopold III refuses to abdicate the Belgian throne. He will remain until 1951 when his wartime role finally forces him to step down. [ | ]BurmaBritish and Indian forces invade Thailand from Burma. [ | ]OkinawaMaking 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. [ | ] |
Pacific
United States, Home Front4 million people give Eisenhower a 'ticker-tape' welcome in New York City. [ | ]World AffairsSpain 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. [ | ] |
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Air Operations, CBICHINA
Air Operations, East Indies
Air Operations, Japan
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Air Operations, FormosaV Bomber Command B-24s attack a fuel plant at Kobi. [ | ]Air Operations, Philippines
Air Operations, RyukyusUS Navy and Marine Corps aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands. [ | ]Diplomatic RelationsAn agreement is made in Moscow between the Polish administrations in London and Lublin on the formation of a Provisional Government. [ | ] |
OkinawaThe systematic mopping up of the island begins. Gen Joseph Stilwill takes command of the US 10th Army in place of Gen Roy S. Geiger. [ | ]Pacific
PhilippinesOn 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. [ | ]PolandThe Soviet-sponsored Lublin Committee governing Poland agree to include 3 non-communist former exiles. [] |
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Air Operations, CBICHINA
Air Operations, East Indies
Air Operations, FormosaV Bomber Command B-24s attack a sugar refinery at Tanchi. [ | ]Air Operations, Japan
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Air Operations, PhilippinesV Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack Japanese Army troops concentrations and support US 6th Army and Filipino guerrilla forces on Luzon. [ | ]Air Operations, Ryukyus
Air Operations, PacificRadar-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. [ | ]ChinaChinese troops take Liuchow airfield. [ | ] |
Pacific
PhilippinesOn 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. [ | ]Ryukyu IslandsMarine units land on Kume Island, where a new radar station is installed. [ | ]War CrimesAllied lawyers discuss War Crimes Trial procedures in London. [ | ]World AffairsThe 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'. [ | ] |
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Air Operations, CarolinesVII Bomber Command B-24s attack the Truk Atoll. [ | ]Air Operations, East Indies
Air Operations, Japan
Air Operations, PhilippinesV Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets and support US 6th Army and Filipino guerrilla forces on Luzon. [ | ] |
Air Operations, Ryukyus
Czechoslovakia, Home FrontFormer 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
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PhilippinesOn 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. [ | ]Soviet UnionStalin is appointed to the new rank of 'Generalissimo'. [ | ] |
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Air Operations, CBICHINA
Air Operations, East Indies
Air Operations, FormosaV Bomber Command B-24s attack an oil refinery at Shinchiku. [ | ] |
Air Operations, Japan
Air Operations, PhilippinesV Fighter Command fighter-bombers support US Army and Filipino guerrilla forces on Luzon. [ | ]Air Operations, RyukyusUS Navy and Marine aircraft support US 10th Army ground forces on Okinawa and attack airfields in the Sakishima Islands. [ | ] |
Air Operations, PacificAllied bombers raid the Balikpapan oil installations for the 9th consecutive day. [ | ]Diplomatic RelationsRuthenia 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. [ | ]PacificMines laid by USAAF B-29s sink the merchant cargo ship Kyokuto Maru off Mutsure. [ | ]United States, PlanningPres 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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[ May 1945 - July 1945] |