World War II Chronology for February 1945

Thursday, February 1, 1945

On the Eastern Front... Torun falls to attacks from forces for of the 2nd Belorussian Front, after a six day siege. Troops of the 1st Belorussian Front, which have reached the Oder opposite Berlin, halt there to regroup while the many pockets of German resistance in their rear are being eliminated and while the units on their flanks broaden the advance by attacking into Pomerania in the north and crossing the Oder and moving toward the Neisse in the south.

On the Western Front... The US 6th Corps from 7th Army crosses the river Moder and advances to Oberhofen.

In the Philippines... The American advance on all fronts is slowed by fierce Japanese resistance. US 1st Corps is heavily engaged near Rosario and San Jose while US 11th Corps is struggling to make more ground across the neck of the Bataan Peninsula.

In the Volcano Islands... American USAAF B-24 and B-29 bombers raid Iwo Jima in preparation for the landings later in the month. They drop a daily average of 450 tons of bombs over the course of 15 days (6800 tons).

Friday, February 2, 1945

On the Eastern Front... The Soviet 26th Army (Gagen), part of 3rd Ukrainian Front, attacking northwards, restores contact with 4th Guards Army to the west of Budapest, near Adony. The German 4th SS Panzer Corps is forced to pull back as a result.

On the Western Front... US 1st Army units are attacking near Remscheid. British forces mount attacks over the Maas, north of Breda and near Nijmegen to put pressure on the Germans.

In Burma... The South East Asian Command announces that after bitter fighting, the Japanese have lost the battle of Kangaw and their escape road from northern Arakan is closed.

Image of War — US infantry with armor support on the outskirts of Colmar

Saturday, February 3, 1945

On the Western Front... French and American units complete the capture of Colmar. All formations of French 1st Army are now making good progress in this sector. The other Allied armies keep up the pressure on the Germans all along the front.

On the Eastern Front... In East Prussia, the Soviet attacks continue to confine and divide the German forces. Landsberg and Bertenstein are taken.

In the Philippines... On Luzon in the Tagaytay Ridge area, the uncommitted regiment of the US 11th Airborne Division is dropped to help the advance of the other regiments. The fighting north of Manila also continues.

Sunday, February 4, 1945

In the Soviet Union... The Yalta Conference begins. Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin and their senior military and political advisors meet to discuss the postwar order and the war with Japan. Yalta is a recently liberated Crimean resort.

On the Western Front... The Allies announce that all German forces have been expelled from Belgium. US 1st and 3rd Army units are attacking toward the Roer River around Duren.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, advance units of the US 1st Cavalry Division reach the outskirts of Manila from the north while units of 11th Airborne Division approach from the south. Yamashita has not ordered his forces to defend the city but the 20,000 Japanese troops under the local naval commander in the city are prepared to fight to the end.

Monday, February 5, 1945

On the Western Front... The German pocket near Colmar is cut in two by a link between French units and part of the US 21st Corps. Farther north, US 1st Army extends its attacks, led by US 5th Corps, toward the Roer aiming to take the Schwammenauel Dam.

On the Eastern Front... The Soviet attacks on the surrounded city of Poznan make some progress. Soviet pressure continues in many other areas as well.

In the Philippines... The US forces close in tighter around Manila. The US 11th Corps has completed its attack across the Bataan Peninsula.

In the South China Sea... The Japanese carrier-battleship Ise, is damaged by a mine off Indochina.

In Liberated Greece... The Greek Communist Party accepts the Greek government terms for an amnesty. The communists have to surrender their arms. The amnesty comes into force on February 12th.

In the Soviet Union... The Yalta Conference continues. Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin and their senior military and political advisors meet to discuss the postwar order and the war with Japan. Yalta is a recently liberated Crimean resort.

Tuesday, February 6, 1945

On the Eastern Front... Southeast of Breslau, the Soviet forces of the 1st Ukrainian Front begin to push out of their bridgehead over the Oder River. Hundreds of thousands of panicked German civilians flee westwards from Breslau towards Dresden.

In Italy... Units of US 4th Corps from US 5th Army take Gallicano in a brief offensive designed to improve the Allied positions on either side of the Serchio Valley.

Wednesday, February 7, 1945

On the Eastern Front... Troops of the 1st Belorussian Front (Zhukov), on the Oder River, seize some small bridgeheads over the river in the Kustrin area and near Furstenberg. There are also attacks in Pomerania where Answalde and Deutsche Krone are among the main centers of German resistance.

On the Western Front... In the US 5th Corps advance toward the Roer, Schmidt is taken. To the south, US 3rd Army units move into Germany east of the Our.

Thursday, February 8, 1945

On the Western Front... A new offensive is begun by the Canadian 1st Army and the British 2nd Army from between the Maas and the Waal southeast of Nijmegen. There is considerable air support and the advance penetrates the Reichswald area on the first day. In the US 3rd Army sector, the US 8th Corps manages to advance beyond the Our.

On the Eastern Front... In East Prussia, the German forces have now been virtually split into three groups; the defenders of Konigsberg, some forces trapped on the peninsula to the west of the town, and those to the south, the largest group, holding out around Keiligenbeil and inland.

In the Philippines... The US 1st Cavalry Division is heavily engaged in the eastern suburbs of Manila. The US 37th Division is also fighting in the city.

Friday, February 9, 1945

In the Philippines... As well as the fighting in Manila, there is an attack by the US 11th Airborne Division southeast of the city near Nichols and Nielsen Fields.

In Burma... In the Arakan area the British 26th Indian Division completes the capture of Ramree Island.

On the Western Front... In the British and Canadian offensive near Nijmegen (by Canadian 1st Army), the Rhine is reached at Millingen, which is captured. The US 3rd Army is attacking near Prum on its northern flank (US 8th Corps) while US 12th Corps to the south also makes gains. Farther south still, the resistance of the German forces around Colmar comes to an end.

Saturday, February 10, 1945

On the Western Front... In the north, there are unsuccessful attacks by German forces on the British and Canadian forces of the Canadian 1st Army which are approaching Cleve and Materborn. German forces open the Schwammenauel Dam, opposite the US 1st Army, in a partially successful attempt to delay the advance of the American forces nearby.

On the Eastern Front... The last German resistance in Elbing comes to an end and the town is taken by the 2nd Belorussian Front.

Sunday, February 11, 1945

On the Eastern Front... Soviet troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front begin to break out of their bridgehead over the Oder River, near Steinau, and attack west and north threatening Glogau. Other units will turn south to help surround Breslau. Leignitz is also attacked.

In Germany... The entire German gold reserve (about 100 tons) is transported from Berlin to a salt mine near Eisenach.

On the Western Front... Elements of the Canadian 1st Army capture Cleve in the advance toward the Rhine. Farther south, elements of the US 8th Corps (part of US 3rd Army) capture the important road junction at Prum.

In the Soviet Union... The Yalta Conference ends. Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin and their senior military and political advisors meet to discuss the postwar order and the war with Japan. It is agreed that the USSR will join the war against Japan within two months of the end of the war in Europe. In return, the Soviet Union will be granted the Japanese part of Sakhalin Island and the Kurile Islands. Also, the postwar borders of Poland are established, as is the division of Germany into occupation zones. There are vague Soviet assurances concerning "free" and "democratic" elections in eastern European countries liberated by the USSR. In addition, there is discussion of a United Nations Organization and there is agreement on a preliminary meeting to create the institution, in April in San Francisco. Yalta is a recently liberated Crimean resort.

Monday, February 12, 1945

In Burma... West of Mandalay, units of the British 33rd Corps establish a second series of bridgeheads over the Irrawaddy River. The advance is led by the British 20th Indian Division, opposite Myinmu. To the south, British 4th Corps has reached the Irrawaddy River at Myitche and Seikpyu and is preparing to cross. British and American units of Northern Area Combat Command (Sultan), advancing south toward Lashio and Kyaukme, are engaged in heavy fighting near the Shweli River.

In the Philippines... The US 11th Corps has closed the neck of the Bataan Peninsula and is advancing southward to clear the Japanese forces from it.

In Lima... The government of Peru declares war on Germany and Japan.

Tuesday, February 13, 1945

On the Eastern Front... After a battle lasting for almost two months, the garrison of Budapest surrenders to 2nd Ukrainian Front (Malinovsky). Over 100,000 German prisoners have been taken in the city. The Soviet advance from the Oder River to the Neisse River begins to gain momentum despite desperate German efforts. Bunzlau on the Bober River is captured by Soviet forces.

On the Western Front... Forces of the British 2nd Army clear the last of the German units from the Reichswald Forest region on the right flank of British 21st Army Group.

In the Philippines... US Navy forces begin operations in Manila Bay, clearing minefields and shelling landing grounds. Corregidor is bombarded. In the ground fighting, the US 11th Airborne Division takes Cavite and completes the capture of Nichols Field.

In Burma... The British 20th Indian Division establishes a solid bridgehead over the Irrawaddy River despite Japanese counterattacks.

Wednesday, February 14, 1945

Over Germany... During the night (February 13-14), 773 Lancaster bombers, of British RAF Bomber Command, raid the eastern German city of Dresden. Five bombers are lost. However, the incendiary bombs dropped generate a fire storm that continues to burn for 7 days and 8 nights and ultimately razes 6.5 square kilometers. Casualty estimates vary from 30,000 to 250,000 killed. Among the witnesses to events in Dresden at the time is Kurt Vonnegut, an American POW, who will vividly describe the scene in Slaughterhouse Five. During the day, the US 8th Air Force raids Dresden where the firestorm continues.

On the Western Front... The British and Canadian forces reach the south bank of the Rhine opposite Emmerich in the advance of British 21st Army Group. American forces farther south are mostly regrouping to prepare for the next series of attacks.

On the Eastern Front... In the Soviet attacks in Pomerania, Schneidmuhl falls. Deutsche Krone is also taken after being surrounded but Arnswalde hold out against a similar attack. The 1st Ukrainian Front captures Sorau and Grunberg in the advance toward the Neisse River.

In Burma... The British 7th Indian Division, part of British 4th Corps, begins to cross the Irrawaddy River near Myaungu. Japanese opposition is limited because most of the forces have been withdrawn to defend Mandalay. North of Mandalay, the British 19th Indian Division takes Singu despite Japanese resistance.

Thursday, February 15, 1945

On the Eastern Front... Force of the Soviet 1st Ukrainian Front (Konev) surround Breslau, to the west of the Oder River. During the evening, the German 3rd Panzer Army, part of Army Group Vistula, begins a counterattack from Stargard, near Stettin, against the right flank of the Soviet 1st Belorussian Front. General Wenck, is supervising the German attack at the headquarters of Reichsfuhrer SS Himmler -- nominally commanding the German army group.

Over Germany... During the day, the US 8th Air Force raids Dresden where the fire storm continues.

In the Philippines... A regiment from US 11th Corps is landed at the southern tip of Bataan on Luzon to help in the operations of the remainder of the corps. The fighting in Manila continues.

Friday, February 16, 1945

In the Philippines... Two American battalions, one sea borne and one dropped by parachute, land on Corregidor Island in Manila Bay. The attacking troops land successfully but encounter heavy Japanese resistance among the tunnels and gun emplacements of the island. The US troops are quickly reinforced. Since the battle for Luzon began, about 3200 tons of bombs have been dropped on Corregidor.

Over Japan... US Task Force 58, part of US 5th Fleet (Spruance), with 12 fleet carriers and 4 light carriers, conducts air raids on Tokyo. The aircraft carriers are escorted by 8 battleships, 15 cruisers and 83 destroyers as well as numerous support ships.

In the Volcano Islands... US Task Force 54 (Admiral Rodgers), with 5 cruisers and 16 destroyers, as well as the 10 escort carriers of TF52 begin the preliminary bombardment of Iwo Jima. Poor weather limits the effectiveness of the activity.

On the Eastern Front... The German counterattack from Stargard, spearheaded by 3rd Panzer Army, succeeds in breaking the Soviet encirclement of Arnswalde and relieving the garrison.

Saturday, February 17, 1945

On the Western Front... In the north, Canadian troops Canadian 1st Army have reached the Rhine along a 10-mile front. Farther south, there are new attacks by US 12th and 20th Corps, of US 3rd Army, from Luxembourg and around Saarlouis. US 7th Army units are attacking near Saarbrucken while

Over Occupied Italy... The damaged Italian battleship, Conte di Cavour and the unfinished Impero are sunk in Trieste harbor by British RAF attacks.

In Burma... The British operations in Arakan continue with successful landings at Ru-Ya, 40 miles south of Myebon. Heavy fighting continues in the area of British 33rd Corps bridgeheads over the Irrawaddy River and along the Shweli River farther north especially near Myitson.

Over Japan... US Task Force 58 conducts a second day of air raids. On this day the aircraft strike Tokyo and Yokohama. In two days of operations, the American planes have conducted over 2700 sorties, losing 88 aircraft. It is reported that twice as many Japanese planes are shot down. After completing the attacks, TF58 moves toward Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands.

In the Volcano Islands... US Task Force 54 and TF52 continue the preliminary bombardment of Iwo Jima. The battleship Tennessee and a cruiser as well as several smaller ships are damaged by Japanese return fire. Meanwhile, a USAAF raid by B-24 bombers is also conducted.

Sunday, February 18, 1945

On the Western Front... In the continuing British and Canadian offensive, the British 30th Corps (part of British 2nd Army) attacks Goch. All US 3rd Army units are attacking. The German Siegfried Line is broken north of Echternach by US 8th Corps while both US 12th and 20th Corps, to the south, are advancing.

From Moscow... General Chernyakhovsky, commander of the 3rd Belorussian Front, dies from wounds received outside Konigsberg at age 40. He was the youngest Front commander in the Red Army.

In Italy... There are new attacks by US 4th Corps (part of US 5th Army) in the area of the front just west of the Bologna-Pistoia road.

In the Bonin Islands... While most of US Task Force 58 is replenishing, one group of four carriers commanded by Admiral Radford attacks Haha Jima and Chichi Jima.

In the Volcano Islands... US Task Force 54 and TF52 continue the preliminary bombardment of Iwo Jima.

Monday, February 19, 1945

In the Volcano Islands... On Iwo Jima, 2 divisions of the US 5th Amphibious Corps are landed in Operation Detachment. Before the landing the bombardment groups already deployed are joined by 2 battleships, several cruisers and destroyers from US Task Force 58. The initial assault forces are from US 4th and 5th Marine Divisions with 3rd Marines in reserve. They are carried transported by TF53 (Admiral Hill) and land on the southeast of the island. About 30,000 men go ashore on the first day. The Japanese garrison of about 21,000 troops, commanded by General Kuribayashi, have prepared exceptionally elaborate and tough defenses so that the eight square miles of the island is completely fortified. The Americans realize that the island is well defended since it is part of metropolitan Japan. However, the island is strategically important because it is within fighter range of Tokyo. By controlling the airfields here, American B-29 bombers flying from the Mariana Islands can be escorted.

In the Philippines... There are American landings on the northwest islands of Samar and Capul. No Japanese resistance is encountered.

Tuesday, February 20, 1945

On the Eastern Front... Berlin is now threatened by the advances of 1st Ukrainian Front and 1st Belorussian Front; on the lower Vistula River, Soviet troops around Elbing and Marienburg are trying to break through to Danzig and Gdynia. Among the German forces opposing the advance toward Berlin are those of Army Group Vistula, nominally under the command of Heinrich Himmler.

Over Germany... Nuremberg is attacked by 900 American B-17 bombers with 700 escort fighters. The nominal target is the passenger station and marshalling yards; the escorts conduct strafing runs on locomotives, rolling stock and parked planes. A total of 23 of the American aircraft are lost.

On the Western Front... The US 20th Corps (part of US 3rd Army) continues its attacks.

In the Philippines... There are American landings on the island of Biri where Japanese resistance is encountered.

In the Volcano Islands... The naval bombardment groups (US TF54 and TF52), now joined by US Task Force 58, continue to provide support to the US 5th Amphibious Corps fighting on shore. American troops make slow progress toward Mount Suribachi in the south and the first airfield to the north of the beachhead. There are Japanese counterattacks and infiltration attempts during the night.

Wednesday, February 21, 1945

In Burma... The British 17th Indian Division and supporting armored units (elements of British 4th Corps) begin a breakout from the bridgehead at Myaungu and advance toward Meiktila. Farther north, troops of British 33rd Corps step up their efforts to attract the main Japanese forces when the British 2nd Division crosses the Irrawaddy near Ngazun to link with the British 20th Indian Division who already have a bridgehead near there. Farther north still, the British 36th Division takes Myitson.

In the Philippines... The US 11th Corps completes the capture of the Bataan area of Luzon. Fighting on Corregidor continues, as does the battle for Manila.

On the Western Front... Goch falls to the attacks of the 51st Division of the British 30th Corps (part of British 2nd Army).

In the Volcano Islands... The naval gun and air bombardment (by US Task Forces 52, 54 and 58) continues. The escort carrier Bismark Sea is sunk and the fleet carrier Saratoga, an escort carrier and other ships are damaged by Kamikaze attacks. Elements of the US 5th Amphibious Corps continue to make slow progress toward Mount Suribachi to the south and the airfield to the north. There are Japanese counterattacks and infiltration attempts during the night.

Thursday, February 22, 1945

In Italy... US 5th Army makes some gains in mountain fighting high up in the Reno Valley.

On the Western Front... The US 20th Corps (part of US 3rd Army) achieves most of its objectives in the area between the Saar and Moselle rivers.

In Ankara... The government of Turkey declares war on Germany and Japan.

In Montevideo... The government of Uruguay declares war on Germany and Japan.

In Burma... There are landings near Kangaw carried out by 6000 troops of the British 3rd Commando Brigade and other units.

In the Volcano Islands... The naval gun and air bombardment (by US Task Forces 52, 54 and 58) continues. Elements of the US 5th Amphibious Corps continue to make slow progress toward Mount Suribachi to the south and the airfield to the north (most of which has now been captured). There are Japanese counterattacks and infiltration attempts during the night.

Friday, February 23, 1945

In the Volcano Islands... On Iwo Jima, most of Mount Suribachi, on the southern tip of the island, is taken by the American forces (of the US 5th Amphibious Corps) during the day and the US flag is hoisted on the summit. To the north of the beachhead, the pattern of slow US advance after much effort is maintained.

In the Philippines... The US forces attacking in Manila resume their offensive after a new bombardment. The Japanese resistance is now largely confined to the old walled section of the town, the Intramuros, but the fighting there is very fierce.

On the Western Front... A major new offensive by US First and Ninth Armies begins with heavy attacks along the Roer, especially in the Julich and Duren areas. The river is crossed in several places. The attacks are opposed by the German 5th Panzer and 15th Armies (both part of German Army Group B). Farther south, there are also attacks by units of US 3rd and 7th Armies.

On the Eastern Front... Poznan falls to the Red Army after a 28-day siege. In Silesia, troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front have largely completed their advance from the Oder River north of Breslau to the Neisse River. Meanwhile, in Breslau, the fighting continues. The German garrison of the city will not surrender until the end of the war despite repeated Soviet attacks.

In the Arctic... German Ju88 bombers sink the SS Henry Bacon from the convoy RA-64. This is the last Allied merchant ship to be sunk by German aircraft during the war.

Saturday, February 24, 1945

On the Eastern Front... The Soviet 2nd Belorussian Front (Rokossovsky) begins a new offensive in the morning with a 30-minute artillery barrage.

Over Germany... Colonel Ivan Kojedub, the top scoring Soviet (and Allied) fighter ace (with 62 victories), shoots down a German Me262 over Berlin.

On the Western Front... To the north, attacks by British and Canadian continue to drive southeast toward Udem and Weeze. Julich is captured by units of the US 19th Corps as the US 9th Army begins to extend its advance over the Roer River. To the south, the US 1st and 3rd Armies also push forward.

In the Volcano Islands... On Iwo Jima, forces of US 5th Amphibious Corps continue to advance northward and capture part of the island's second airfield.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, American forces eliminate desperate Japanese resistance in the Intramuros -- the old walled quarter of Manila.

In Burma... In their advance on Meiktila, the British 17th Indian Division takes Taungtha.

Sunday, February 25, 1945

On the Western Front... Duren is taken by the US 7th Corps (part of US 1st Army). Other bridgeheads over the Roer River have been captured to north and south of Duren and they are rapidly being extended. To the south, on the right flank of US 3rd Army, crossings over the Saar have also been made near Saarburg.

In the Volcano Islands... On Iwo Jima, the advance of US 5th Amphibious Corps continues but there are heavy losses in the area around the second airfield. The US 3rd Marine Division is committed to the battle.

Over Japan... Aircraft from the carriers of US Task Force 58 again raid Tokyo. Poor weather conditions hinders the effectiveness of the attacks.

Monday, February 26, 1945

In the Philippines... The fighting on Corregidor comes to an end. The US forces find more than 5000 Japanese dead on the tiny island and others have been trapped in collapsed tunnels. There are 19 prisoners. American casualties are estimated at 1000.

In Burma... The advance of British 17th Indian Division toward Meiktila continues. Mahlaing and the Thabuktong airfield are captured during the day. Future reinforcements for British 4th Corps can be flown in to this airfield.

In Cairo... The government of Egypt declares war on Germany and Japan.

In Damascus... The government of Syria declares war on Germany and Japan.

On the Eastern Front... The Germans begin evacuations of wounded and refugees from Kolberg and other ports along the Baltic coast. These operations continue until the ports are captured during March. Soviet forces launch attacks into East Pomerania. Near Stettin, Soviet forces continue hold the positions despite German counterattacks.

On the Western Front... There are renewed attacks, by British and Canadian elements of British 21st Army Group, near Udem and Calcar. The US 1st and 9th Army units are moving rapidly from their bridgeheads over the Our River.

Over Germany... During the day, US 8th Air Force bombers drop about 3000 tons of bombs on Berlin; some 500,000 incendiaries are among the bombs. The nominal targets are 3 railway stations. A total of 15 bombers and 7 escort fighters are lost. During the night, RAF Mosquito bombers attack Berlin, guided by the light of the fires started during the day.

Tuesday, February 27, 1945

In Burma... Units of the British 19th Indian Division begin to break out of their bridgehead over the Irrawaddy River, at Habeikkyin, and advance south toward Mandalay against heavy Japanese resistance.

In the Volcano Islands... On Iwo Jima, the carriers of TF53 again add their support to the ships aiding the attacks of US 5th Amphibious Corps. The American objective is the elimination of three Japanese positions overlooking the second airfield on the island, however, the marines fail to dislodge the Japanese defenders.

On the Western Front... Udem and Calcar both fall to attacks by British and Canadian elements of the British 21st Army Group. The Rhine River is reached to the northeast of Calcar. Units of US 7th Corps (part of US 1st Army) cross the Erth River at Modrath, about 10 km from Cologne. Farther south, two corps of US 3rd Army are converging on Trier.

On the Eastern Front... Elements of the Soviet 2nd Belorussian Front enter Pomerania, in Germany.

In Beirut... The government of Lebanon declares war on Germany and Japan.

Wednesday, February 28, 1945

In the Philippines... There are America landings at Puerto Princesa on Palawan by 8000 men of 41st Infantry Division. Admiral Fechteler leads a bombardment group of cruisers and destroyers and there is also support from land-based aircraft. There is little Japanese resistance to the landings.

In Burma... The British 4th Corps begins to attack Meiktila in strength. Although Meiktila is a vital communications center, serving all the Japanese forces around Mandalay and to the north, it is lightly defended. The Japanese command believes the British forces in the area are only lightly armed (in the Chindit pattern) and relatively small.

In Tehran... The government of Iran declares war on Japan

In Riyadh... The government of Saudi Arabia declares war on Germany and Japan.

Chronology of World War II