Chronology of World War II
Friday, December 1, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, south of Budapest, Soviet forces are successfully held by German forces. The Soviet 57th Army, however, achieves some gains around Pecs. To the northeast of Budapest, the 4th Ukrainian Front launches attacks on positions held by 1st Panzer Army, along the Ondava River.
On the Western Front... Elements of the US 9th Army advance northeast of Aachen. Linnich is captured by the US 102nd Division. To the right, attacks by US 3rd and 7th Armies report slow progress.
In the Mediterranean... The German garrison on the island of Crete abandons all areas except large towns.
Saturday, December 2, 1944
On the Western Front... Elements of the US 3rd Army reach Saarlautern. To the south, the US 7th Army advances to the Rhine river after the Germans have withdrawn across it at Kehl. The three available bridges are all demolished in the retreat.
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, to the northeast of Budapest, the 2nd Ukrainian Front attacks German defensive positions around Miskolc.
Sunday, December 3, 1944
On the Western Front... Elements of US 13th Corps (part of US 9th Army) reach the Roer River. Elements of the US 20th Corps (part of US 3rd Army) cross the Saar River near Patchen, in assault boats. They secure the main bridge of the Saar.
In Italy... British, Canadian and Polish forces of British 8th Army begin new attacks on a broad, 3 corps frontage.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet troops of 2nd Ukrainian Front capture Miskolc.
In Liberated Greece... In Athens, police open fire on demonstrators supporting the communist EAM party and its military wing the ELAS. The incident results in street fighting between communist supporters and anti-communist factions.
In Britain... The Home Guard, a volunteer defense force created during the German invasion panic of 1940, is officially "stood down" from service.
In Burma... British colonial troops (from East Africa) capture Kalewa, one of the main centers for river traffic south to Mandalay.
Monday, December 4, 1944
On the Western Front... Elements of British 2nd Army clear the last pockets of German resistance west of the Maas River. To the right, the US 9th Army ceases the offensive toward the Roer River. The US 3rd Army forces of US 20th Corps concentrates forces for the capture of Saarlautern, where reconnaissance indicates there is an intact bridge over the Saar River.
In Liberated Greece... Martial law is declared as fighting between communist and anti-communist forces continues.
Tuesday, December 5, 1944
In Liberated Greece... British tanks are involved in the fighting between communist and anti-communist forces. British warships shell ELAS positions near Piraeus. The fighting continues for most of the month. Soviet forces do not provide aid to the communist forces which is in keeping with an understanding reached in Moscow (October 20th).
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Soviet forces capture Vukovar on the Danube and to the northwest Szigetvar is taken.
In Italy... Troops of Canadian 1st Corps capture Ravenna in the ongoing British 8th Army offensive.
Wednesday, December 6, 1944
On the Western Front... Elements of the US 3rd Army enter Saareguemines which is defended by German forces. In Holland, the British 2nd Army is held up southwest of Arnhem by the German demolition of dikes and the consequent flooding.
Over Germany... Day and night bombing of the Leuna synthetic fuel plant is conducted.
In Germany... The He162 Volksjager jet fighter is flight-tested over Vienna.
In Liberated Greece... Fighting between government forces, support by British troops, and Communist rebels continues. General Scobie claims there is evidence of a number of former German soldiers being employed by the ELAS forces.
In Moscow... Marshal Stalin meets with Free French President, General de Gaulle.
From Washington... Lieutenant General Lucian Truscott is appointed commander of the US 5th Army fighting in Italy. He replaces Lt. Gen. Mark Clark.
Thursday, December 7, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Soviet forces reach Lake Balaton, southwest of Budapest. To the south, Baros on the Drava River is captured.
In Liberated Romania... A new government takes office. It is led by General Nicolae Radescu and pledges to fully implement the terms of the armistice, to provide assistance to the Allies and to purge all pro-Nazis.
On the Western Front... The US 3rd Army penetrates the Siegfried Line northwest of Saarlautern.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, the US 77th Division lands about one mile south of Ormoc. There is some Japanese resistance. One of the 12 escorting destroyers is sunk by a Kamikaze attack. Meanwhile, the US 7th Division continues attacking northward toward Ormoc.
In Japan... An earthquake strikes the Tokai area, disrupting rail communications and temporarily halting production at the Mitsubishi aircraft works at Nagoya.
Friday, December 8, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Soviet forces of 3rd Ukrainian Front launch attacks near Szekesfehervar about 20 miles southwest of Budapest.
On the Western Front... US 3rd Army reports the establishment of four additional crossing of the Saar river on both sides of Sarreguemines and inside the town. American tanks are reported to be approaching the town of Rohrbach to the southeast.
In Italy... Troops of the British 8th Army cross the Lamone River south of Faenza.
In Liberated Greece... Communist rebels in Athens continue to fight. British casualties are claimed to be very light but the Greek police are estimated to have suffered 600 killed, wounded and missing.
In London... Prime Minister Churchill defines the British government position on the crisis in Greece to be aiming at "clearing Athens of all who are rebels to the authority of the constitutional government." The House of Commons supports the position in a vote 279 to 30.
In the Volcano Islands... An American naval force, commanded by Admiral Smith and consisting of 3 heavy cruisers and a destroyer escort, bombard Iwo Jima.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, the US 77th Division advances from its beachhead to within 1 mile of Ormoc. Attacks by the Japanese 26th Division, near Buri, are repulsed by other US forces.
Saturday, December 9, 1944
On the Western Front... US 3rd Army is engaged in fighting around the various bridgeheads over the Saar River. American forces are within 4 miles of Saarbrucken. A German counterattack, with tanks and infantry, near Saarlouis is defeated as US forces advance further into the German held Siegfried Line. To the right of the Allied line, the US 7th Army and French 1st Army continue offensive operations.
Over Germany... The US 8th Air Force attacks Stuttgart during the day.
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, the Soviet 2nd Ukrainian Front reaches the Danube north of Budapest at Vac. Farther north, to the right of the Soviet line, Balassagyarmat is captured, near the border of Slovakia. Southwest of Budapest, 3rd Ukrainian Front reports progress as well.
In Liberated Greece... Fighting in Athens continues for a sixth day. About twenty percent of the ELAS strongholds in the city have been cleared by British and Greek government forces but an estimated 200 more remain. An important bridge in the Piraeus is blown up by ELAS forces.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, a small number of Japanese reinforcements are successfully landed at Palompon on the west coast, northwest of Ormoc. To the south of Ormoc, the US 77th Divsion continues expanding its beachhead.
In Britain... The government relaxes the black-out regulations for houses and other places.
Sunday, December 10, 1944
In the Philippines... On Leyte, the US 77th Division captures Ormoc, the main Japanese base on the island. Japanese forces are now mostly concentrated around Palompon.
On the Western Front... The US 7th Corps (part of US 1st Army) launches an attack west of Aachen directed at Duren. To the south, US 3rd Army continues to defend its bridgeheads on the Saar River.
In Moscow... Following a recent visit by the leadership of the French Provisional Government (including de Gaulle, Bidault and Juin), representatives of the French and Soviet government sign a treaty of alliance.
Monday, December 11, 1944
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces are approaching Budapest, the capital of Hungary. The city is subjected to intensive artillery bombardment and air strikes during the day. A Soviet communique claims Soviet troops are within 5 miles of Budapest in the north.
On the Western Front... Forces of the US 7th Army enter Haguenau in Alsace and advances southeast of Rohrbach. There are German counterattacks against the US 3rd Army bridgeheads over the Saar River which are repulsed.
Over Germany... Over 2000 USAAF bombers of the 8th and 15th Air Forces attack various rail targets in Germany as well as an oil plant and ordnance depots near Vienna (annexed Austria).
In Liberated Greece... British reinforcements reach Athens. It is estimated that the rebellious ELAS forces number 25,000 troops.
In the North Atlantic... German torpedo planes and U-365 attack convoy RA62. The British destroyer Cassandra is damaged and the U-boat is sunk.
Tuesday, December 12, 1944
In Burma... In the Arakan, a new British offensive begins. Forces of the British 15th Corps advance toward Akyab.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces capture the railway junction and town of Godollo, 10 miles north of Budapest. The Soviets claim the fall of the Hungarian capital is imminent.
On the Western Front... Forces of the US 1st Army battle towards Duren, through the Hurtgen Forest. The US 3rd Army establishes another crossing of the German frontier east of the Saar. To the south, in Alsace, the US 7th Army is fighting in Seltz.
Over Germany... Bomber Command Lancaster bombers, escorted by Mustang fighters, attack Witten, the only city in the Ruhr industrial area that has not been bombed yet.
In Liberated Greece... After experiencing heavy losses in recent fighting, the Greek communists ask for terms for a cease fire. The government demands that the communists surrender their weapons.
Wednesday, December 13, 1944
On the Western Front... The US 1st Army achieved minor progress in a new offensive 22 miles south of Duren. Allied forces capture Fort Jeanne d'Arc -- the last German stronghold at Metz. The advance of US 7th Army encounters German armored forces and is engaged around Seltz, in Alsace, near the German border.
In Italy... The British 13th Corps (part of US 5th Army) attacks Tossignano. Canadian forces of the British 8th Army have consolidated a bridgehead over the Lamone River, northwest of Russi.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces claim to have captured 1700 Germans and Hungarians in the days fighting in Hungary.
In Liberated Greece... Communist rebels continue their offensive. Fighting is reported in Athens and British reinforcements are engaged against the ELAS forces during the morning.
In the Sulu Sea... The American heavy cruiser Nashville (flagship of the Mindoro invasion fleet) and a destroyer are heavily damaged in Kamikaze attacks. Both ships are part of the US invasion force heading for Mindoro in the Philippines.
Thursday, December 14, 1944
In Italy... Canadian elements of British 8th Army are engaged in an effort to widen the bridgehead over the Lamone River. Canadian forces drive the defending German forces back toward the Canale Naviglio.
On the Western Front... German forces counterattack French 1st Army at Colmar in Alsace, capturing an important height dominating the main Mulhouse-Belfort road at a point 25 miles southwest of Mulhouse. Meanwhile, US 3rd Army continues advancing east of Sarreguemines while US 9st Army reaches the Roer River bank.
On the Eastern Front... German reinforcements enter the line between the outskirts of Budapest and Lake Velencze.
In Liberated Greece... After a few hours lull, shelling resumed in the center of Athens. Negotiations for an armistice between the British supported Greek government and the Communist rebels are in progress. The appointment of the Archbishop of Athens as Regent has been suggested.
In the Philippines... US Task Force 38 (Admiral McCain) launches air strikes on airfields throughout Luzon. TF38 includes 13 carriers, 8 battleships and numerous cruisers and destroyers. The attacks are in support of the American landing on Mindoro.
Friday, December 15, 1944
In the Philippines... On the island of Mindoro (about 75 miles from Manila), American forces, under the command of General Dunckel, land at San Augustin. The force consists of part of US 24th Division and a parachute regiment. There is almost no resistance and American troops advance up to 8 miles inland. Naval support includes 3 battleships and 6 escort carriers. One carrier and two destroyers are damaged by Kamikaze attacks. Meanwhile, TF38 continues air strikes on airfields on Luzon.
In Burma... Chinese forces capture Bhamo. The British 19th and 36th Divisions link up at Indaw and establish a continuous from against the Japanese in northern Burma.
Over Occupied Holland... RAF Lancaster bombers, escorted by Spitfire fighters, drop 12,000 pound bombs on German E-boat pens at Ijmuiden.
On the Western Front... The US 7th Army enters Germany, along the Palatinate frontier, from Alsace between Wissembourg and Lauterbourg. The French 1st Army is regrouping after its recent advance was countered by German forces.
Saturday, December 16, 1944
On the Western Front... The Battle of the Bulge begins. German forces of Army Group B (Model), under the overall command of Field Marshal Rundstedt, launch an offensive in the Ardennes Forest, between Monschau and Trier, aimed at recapturing Antwerp and splitting the British and American armies. The attacking force consists of the 6th SS Panzer Army (Dietrich) on the right and 5th Panzer Army (Manteuffel) on the left. On the right and left flanks are the German 15th and 7th Armies. Allied forces are taken by surprise. The initial assault targets the line held by US 5th and 7th Corps, parts of US 1st Army (Hodges), in the US 21st Army Group (Bradley) as part of the Allied Expeditionary Force (Eisenhower). A brief artillery barrage precedes that attack. On the first day, German forces successfully breach the American lines. English speaking German troops, wearing captured uniforms and using Allied equipment, infiltrate behind the American lines causing some confusion and uncertainty in the rear areas. Poor weather prevents Allied ground attack aircraft from operating against the German armored columns. Meanwhile, US 3rd Army continues operations along the Saar River until news of the German offensive is received.
In Italy... Elements of British 5th Corps (part of British 8th Army) capture Faenza.
In the Philippines... Japanese planes attack American shipping while US aircraft strike at air bases (in continuing operations by TF38). On Mindoro, the landing forces consolidates the beachhead and begins construction of an landing strip.
In Liberated Greece... British General Scobie publishes the text of the Caserta agreement in which the communist guerrillas promised to work with the established government (in exile, at that time).
Sunday, December 17, 1944
On the Western Front... Eisenhower releases the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions from AEF reserve to reinforce American troops in the Ardennes. Other infantry and armored forces from US 12th Army Group are also being redeployed to meet the German offensive. Meanwhile, German forces capture 9000 Americans at Echternach, on the extreme right flank of the attack. Soldiers of the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich kill some 71 American POWs near Malmedy.
Over Germany... Bomber Command attacks Ulm as the primary nighttime targe for the first time and causes large fires.
In Italy... The British 10th Indian Division (an element of British 8th Army), captures crossings over the Senio River, near Faenza.
In the Occupied Dutch East Indies... Part of the British Eastern Fleet conducts air strikes on oil and harbor installations at Belawan-Deli in the north of Sumatra. The planes are from the HMS Illustrious and Indomitable. Admiral Vian commands the operation.
In the Philippines... On Mindoro, American forces capture San Jose Airfield. On Leyte, parts of US 10th and 24th Corps record advances against Japanese positions.
Monday, December 18, 1944
In the Philippine Sea... US Task Force 38 is caught in a typhoon while retiring to refuel and replenish. Three destroyers are sunk and 3 fleet carriers, 4 escort carriers and 11 destroyers sustain damage.Over Japan... US B-29 Superfortress bombers raid Nagoya (nominally the Mitsubishi aircraft assembly works).
Over Occupied China... Some 200 US 14th Air Force planes, and 84 B-29 bombers, attack the Japanese supply base at Hankow causing fires that burn for three days.
Over Occupied Poland... An RAF nighttime attack sinks the Schleswig-Holstein and 8 other ships at Gotenhafen (Gdynia).
In Liberated Greece... British troops begin an offensive against the rebellious Communist forces and capture on of the ELAS strong points on the Piraeus road.
Tuesday, December 19, 1944
On the Western Front... Meanwhile, forces of the German 6th SS Panzer Army reach Stavelot in the north while elements of 5th Panzer Army approach Houffalize. Some US forces between these advance continue to defend positions around Gouvy and St. Vith.
From SHAEF... At a meeting of senior Allied commanders, Eisenhower decides to appoint Field Marshal Montgomery, commanding British 21st Army Group, to lead all Allied forces to the north of " the Bulge" in the line created by the German attack. General Bradley, commanding US 12th Army Group, is responsible for all Allied forces to the south. The arrangement is not made public at this time.
On the Eastern Front... In Czechoslovakia, Soviet troops are closing in on the Slovakian railroad junction of Kosice.
From Moscow... A Soviet state commission investigating German atrocities in Lithuania reports that more than 300,000 civilians and about 165,000 prisoners of war were killed in the area.
In the Philippines... It is decided that the Japanese 35th Army on Leyte is no longer to be reinforced or supplied. Nonetheless, fighting continues to the north of Ormoc and throughout the northwest of the island.
Wednesday, December 20, 1944
On the Western Front... Forces of 6th SS Panzer Army strike northward from around Stavelot but encounter heavy resistance from Allied defenders of British 21st Army Group. The 5th Panzer Army continues to advance to the south against forces of US 12th Army Group, but American defenders of the road junctions of St. Vith and Bastogne continue to hold their positions. Allied sources allege that in the area of Monschau the Germans have been shooting American prisoners with machineguns. Meanwhile, the US 3rd Army reports attacking from the Saarlautern bridgehead and having cleared 40 pillboxes and fortified houses.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces report capturing about 1000 prisoners in the offensive in Hungary. Miskolcz is reported captured as is the railway junction of Rima-Szecs.
In Liberated Greece... British General Scobie issues a warning to civilians to stay out of areas occupied by ELAS forces because they may be subjected to bombing raids. British tanks and armored cars have lifted the siege of Kifissia RAF base by ELAS troops.
Thursday, December 21, 1944
In the Philippines... On Leyte, advances by US 10th Corps and US 24th Corps link up in the center of the Ormoc Valley. Isolated Japanese forces continue to resist in the area.
On the Western Front... In the north, US forces recapture Stavelot and bring the advance of the German 67th Corps (part of 6th SS Panzer Army), on the right flank of the German attack, to a halt from here to Monschau. To the south, the German 5th Panzer Army has nearly surrounded Bastogne while Houffalize has been secured.
Over Germany... RAF bombers attack Cologne and Bonn.
In the Norwegian Sea... A German convoy runs into a minefield laid by Free French submarine Rubis. This submarine has now sunk a total of 23 ships.
In Burma... Allied forces of the British 14th Army have advanced another 50 miles down the railway corridor to Mandalay and have occupied the Japanese bases of Wuntho and Nankan.
Over Occupied China... US B-29 Superfortress bombers attacked Mukden in Manchuria.
Friday, December 22, 1944
On the Western Front... In the advance of German 5th Panzer Army, Bastogne is surrounded. An German demand to surrender, issued to the American defenders, is rejected by American General McAuliffe -- commanding the encircled troops. St. Vith is captured late in the day. However, the lack of substantial progress leads Model, commanding Army Group B, and Rundstedt, Commander in Chief West, to recommend an end to the offensive.
In Berlin... Guderian, Chief of the General Staff of the German Army, recommends that the Ardennes offensive be called off.
In Liberated Hungary... A Soviet sponsored provisional government of Hungary is established at Drebrecan.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, there is fighting around Palompon where the Japanese forces on the island are now concentrated.
Saturday, December 23, 1944
On the Western Front... Although the American defenders of Bastogne continue to hold out against German attacks, elements of the German 5th Panzer Army have by-passed the town and are advancing to the west and northwest. These attacks have reached beyond Rochefort and Laroche. However, improved weather conditions allows Allied ground attack aircraft to harass the German columns. A sudden improvement in the weather permits Allied fighter-bombers to conduct about 900 sorties against German forces in "the Bulge".
In Belgium... Some 26 German V2 missiles explode in Antwerp.
In the United States... All horse racing is banned in an effort to save labor.
Sunday, December 24, 1944
Over Britain... Some 50 specially modified German He111 bombers launch V1 flying bombs in flight, aimed at Manchester. Only 1 bomb hits the target area, 17 fall nearby. A total of 37 people are killed and 67 are injured. Steps are taken to strengthen antiaircraft defenses but no further attacks occur.
In the English Channel... German U-486 sinks the transport Leopoldville, 819 of those on board drown.
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Soviet forces are engaged on the outskirts of Budapest while other forces advancing past the city have almost cut it off. Soviet tanks penetrate the outskirts of the Budapest. There is a 25 mile wide corridor to the west.
On the Western Front... The German Ardennes offensive is exhausted by the end of the day. The furthest advance has been achieved by elements of the German 5th Panzer Army. The 2nd Panzer Division has reached the outskirts of Dinant with the 116th Panzer Division on the right flank near Hotten and the Panzer Lehr Division on the left flank to the west of St. Hubert. American forces in Bastogne continue to resist; some 260 Allied transports drop supplies to the defenders. Allied fighter-bombers fly over 600 sorties in the Ardennes.
In the United States... All beef products are again being rationed. New quotas are introduced for most other commodities as well.
Monday, December 25, 1944
On the Western Front... Allied forces surrounding the German-held bulge begin counterattacking. The US 4th Armored Division, an element of US 3rd Army, aims at relieving the Americans surrounded in Bastogne. Meanwhile, German attacks are halted by American armor at Celles, about 6 km east of the Meuse River, after having advanced about 80 km since the beginning of the offensive in mid-December.
In Italy... German radio announces a withdrawal of some 2000 yards to the northwest of Faenza after heavy battles.
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Soviet forces continue to advance west and southwest of Budapest. To the northwest of Budapest, intensive fighting is reported with Soviet forces now less than 100 miles from Vienna.
In Liberated Greece... Fighting between the Greek government forces and the communist forces begins to die down. British forces have actively assisted the government.
In Athens... British Prime Minister Churchill and Foreign Secretary Eden arrive for talks with Greek leaders, including ELAS representatives.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, part of the US 77th Division makes an amphibious move from Ormoc to San Juan, on the west coast of the island, north of Palompon, where the Japanese forces are concentrated. The landing is unopposed. General MacArthur announces that the Leyte campaign has ended with Japanese losses totalling 113,221.
Tuesday, December 26, 1944
On the Western Front... The US 4th Armored Division (an element of US 3rd Army) relieves the American forces in Bastogne. Meanwhile, British Bomber Command makes a daylight raid on the German held transportation hub of St. Vith. The Allies claim to have captured 13,273 German prisoners while the Germans claim over 30,000 Allied POWs and the destruction of 700 American tanks.
In Italy... The British 8th Army now hold a 17 mile frontage on the east bank of the Senio River from Alfonsine to south of Castel Bolognese.
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, the advancing Soviet 3rd Ukrainian Front has nearly encircled Budapest. Several of the western suburbs are claimed to have been captured by the Soviets.
In Athens... British Prime Minister Churchill opens the mediation conference with a brief speech. All Greek political parties, including the Communists, attend in an effort to end the Greek civil war.
In the Philippines... Japanese naval force arriving from Indochina bombards the American beachhead on Mindoro. The force consists of 2 cruisers and 6 destroyers. An American PT Boat sinks one of the destroyers. This is the last sortie by a Japanese naval force in the Philippines.
Wednesday, December 27, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Soviet forces begin the siege of Budapest.
On the Western Front... Attacks by the British 30th Corps (part of US 1st Army) force the German 2nd Panzer Division (an element of 5th Panzer Army) out of Celles. The US 3rd Army expands the corridor to Bastogne.
Over Germany... The US 8th Air Force bombs Coblenz, Bonn and Kaiserslautern (nominally railway targets). The RAF conducts nighttime raids on Munchen-Gladbach and Bonn.
Thursday, December 28, 1944
In Italy... The US 5th Army, fighting in the Serchio valley, has pulled back from the town of Barga in response to German counterattacks.
On the Western Front... AEF Commander in Chief General Eisenhower meets with British 21st Army Group command Field Marshal Montgomery to coordinate the counteroffensive in the Ardennes.
Over Germany... About 1200 B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, escorted by 700 fighters, attacked Coblenz and other targets. Late in the day, Bomber Command bombs Cologne.
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Soviet forces report the capture of additional outlying areas near Budapest.
In Athens... British Prime Minister Churchill agrees to recommend the establishment of a regency to the King of Greece.
In the Philippines... Mindoro airfield becomes fully operational.
Friday, December 29, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Soviet forces are fighting within Budapest and have effectively cut off the city from re-supply. An attempt to begin negotiations with the garrison inside Budapest results in some of the Soviet emissaries being killed because of a misunderstanding.
On the Western Front... There is a lull in the fighting in the Ardennes as Allied forces buildup their forces for further counterattacks.
In Liberated Greece... The government announces that a regency is to be established and that Prime Minister Papendreou will resign when the regent has been chosen.
Saturday, December 30, 1944
On the Western Front... The US 8th Corps (part of US 3rd Army) launches attacks northward, against the German 5th Panzer Army, from a line between Bastogne and St. Hubert with Houffalize as the objective. Meanwhile, elements of German 5th Panzer Army launch another unsuccessful attempt at cutting the American corridor into Bastogne and capture the town.
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Soviet forces of 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts are engaged in fighting in and around Budapest.
In Washington... General Groves, head of the Manhattan Project, reports that the first two atomic bombs should be ready by August 1, 1945.
Sunday, December 31, 1944
In the Philippines... On Leyte, various Japanese counterattacks in the northwest are repulsed by American forces. Up to this point, the Japanese have suffered about 70,000 casualties, almost all killed, in the battles on Leyte. American casualties number 15,500 dead and wounded. The US 6th Army is being withdrawn from the island, in preparation for the invasion of Luzon, and the US 8th Army is replacing it.
In Liberated Poland... The Soviet backed Polish communists of the Committee of National Liberation, based in Lublin, assumes the title of Provisional Government.
In London... The Polish government in exile protests the claim of the Lublin Committe Poles to the status of Provisional Government.
In Liberated Greece... Archbishop Damaskinos of Athens is sworn in as regent and the Prime Minister Papandreou resigns.
On the Western Front... The British 30th Corps (part of US 1st Army) captures Rochefort on the western tip of the German-held Ardennes salient.
In Liberated Hungary... The Soviet backed provisional government of Hungary, located in Drebrecan, declares war on Germany.
Copyright © 2018 Ralph Zuljan