Chronology of World War II

Tuesday, May 1, 1945

In Germany... Hamburg radio announces that Hitler is dead and that Donitz is the second Fuhrer of the Reich. Donitz himself broadcasts, announcing that "it is my duty to save the German people from destruction by Bolshevists." Meanwhile, in Berlin, Goebbels and his wife commit suicide after poisoning their six children. Martin Bormann disappears.

On the Eastern Front... General Krebs visits Zhukov to try to negotiate surrender terms for Berlin, but is told that only unconditional surrender is acceptable. In the city, the Soviet advance continues and only a tiny area remains in German hands.

On the Western Front... In the north, the British continue their moves toward Lubeck and Hamburg. The US 1st and 9th Armies are firmly established along the line of the Elbe and Mulde rivers. They have been forbidden to advance farther into the zone designated for Soviet occupation. To the the south, the US 7th Army presses on into Austria.

In Italy... General Vietinghoff, commanding German Army Group C, agrees to the surrender terms signed at Caserta. Yugoslavian partisans occupy Trieste. Possession of this city will become a point of dispute between Italy and Yugoslavia after the war.

In Burma... British attacks in the Sittang Valley approach Pegu. Monsoon rains begin in southern Burma, slowing further progress toward Rangoon by land. In anticipation of this eventuality, an amphibious operation to capture Rangoon is initiated with parachute landings at the mouth of the Irrawaddy River, on the east bank.

In the Dutch East Indies... There are Allied landings on the island of Tarakan by the 18,000 men of the reinforced 26th Australian Brigade (General Whitehead). There is little Japanese opposition.

Wednesday, May 2, 1945

In Italy... At noon the German surrender becomes effective. The long, difficult and controversial campaign in Italy is over. Allied forces reach Trieste, Milan and Turin during the course of the day, while others are advancing north toward Brenner Pass where they will link up with US 7th Army forces from the north.

On the Eastern Front... The Soviet forces complete the capture of Berlin with the attacks from north and south linking up along the Charlottenburg Chaussee. North of Berlin, Soviet units have taken Rostock and many other towns. The only large German forces which remain in contact with the Soviet armies are those isolated in Latvia and those in Austria and Czechoslovakia.

On the Western Front... The British 2nd Army takes Lubeck and Wismar on the Baltic coast. Units Canadian 1st Army capture Oldenburg. American units continue their advances in Austria and Bavaria.

In Burma... British forces launch Operation Dracula, the amphibious assault on Rangoon. British 26th Indian Division provides the landing force while Admiral Martin commands the 4 escort carriers and other naval units supporting the operation. There is no Japanese resistance. British TF63 (Admiral Walker) with the battleships Queen Elizabeth and Richelieu and 2 escort carriers as well as cruisers and destroyers conduct covering operations in which Port Blair and Car Nicobar are bombed and shelled. Meanwhile, to the north of the landings, the British 4th Corps complete the capture Pegu.

In the Philippines... The US 14th Corps units advancing west along the Bicol Peninsula of Luzon link up, near Naga, with units from the Legaspi area that have moved east. On this part of the island, Japanese forces have now been scattered.

Thursday, May 3, 1945

On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces have now reached the Elbe west of Berlin and made contact with US 1st and 9th Armies and in the north with the British 2nd Army. Fighting in Berlin ends.

On the Western Front... In northern Germany, the British 12th Corps occupies Hamburg, the last significant objective of British offensive operations. In Austria, Innsbruck falls to the US 7th Army while other units advance near Salzburg.

In Burma... Rangoon is captured by British 26th Indian Division without encountering any Japanese resistance. To the north, on the Irrawaddy River, Prome is taken by British 33rd Corps.

In the Philippines... American naval forces commanded by Admiral Noble land 1000 troops near Santa Cruz in the Gulf of Davao, on Mindanao. Davao City is taken by US 24th Division units.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, Japanese forces launch a counteroffensive from positions in the south, during the night (May 3-4), but fail to break through the American lines. Japanese artillery batteries, that have remained silent until now to avoid American retaliation, support the assaults.

Friday, May 4, 1945

On the Western Front... Donitz sends envoys to the headquarters of Field Marshal Montgomery, at Luneburg Heath, and they sign an agreement, at 1820 hrs, for the surrender of German forces in Holland, Denmark and northern Germany. The Germans also agree to the Allied demand that German submarines should be surrendered rather than scuttled -- in the German naval tradition. The surrender becomes effective on May 5th. Meanwhile, in continuing fighting to the south, Salzburg is captured by American forces. Other units push into Czechoslovakia toward Pilsen.

On the Eastern Front... German forces conduct rearguard actions, in northern Germany, in Czechoslovakia and Austria, as the bulk of the German forces attempt to disengage and reach the Anglo-American lines.

In Yugoslavia... Partisan forces enter Fiume, in Dalmatia, and threaten Pola.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, the Japanese 32nd Army counterattacks. Artillery that was formerly concealed is used to support infantry charges. The US 7th and 77th Divisions hold the assaults. Meanwhile, the US 1st Marine Division attacks Machinato airfield and suffers heavy losses. At sea, Kamikaze attacks sink 14 small ships and damage the escort carrier Sangamon, 1 destroyer, and other ships. Some 131 Japanese planes are claimed to be shot down. The British carrier Formidable is damaged by a Kamikaze attack off the Sakishima Islands.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, the US 25th Division, part of US 1st Corps, capture Mount Haruna, west of the Balete Pass. Northwest of Manila, elements of the US 11th Corps attack toward Guagua but are forced back by Japanese defenses. On Mindanao, the US 24th Division mops up in around Davao while elements of the US 31st Division patrol north of Zibawe. Elements of the US 41st Division reach Parang, north of Cotabato while other forces land north of Digos, near Santa Cruz. On Negros, the Americal Division attempts to reopen its supply lines, which have been cut by the Japanese forces, in the eastern part of the island.

In Burma... The advance of the British 15th Corps, northward from Rangoon, and the British 4th and 33rd Corps, southward, threatens to cut of the Japanese 28th Army (General Sakurai) from the rest of the Japanese forces. The Irrawaddy river separates the Japanese forces.

Saturday, May 5, 1945

Over the United States... A woman and five children are killed by a bomb falling from a Japanese balloon near Lakeview, Oregon. The Japanese have been releasing these balloons for some time, hoping that they will drift in the wind over the United States before releasing their explosive cargo. This is the only success they will achieve.

On the Western Front... German Army Group G surrenders to US forces after negotiations are concluded at Haar in Bavaria. In Denmark, fighting breaks out in Copenhagen but is brought to an end when British units arrive by air in the evening.

In Occupied Czechoslovakia... In Prague, Czech resistance forces initiate an uprising against the German forces in the city, with heavy fighting reported.

On the Eastern Front... In Czechoslovakia, Soviet forces advance toward Prague from the north and east but these forces are too far away assist the uprising. Along the Baltic coast, Soviet units occupy Swinemunde and Peenemunde.

In Washington... The War Department announces that about 400,000 troops will remain in Germany to form the US occupation force and 2,000,000 men will be discharged from the armed services, leaving 6,000,000 soldiers serving in the war against Japan.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, Japanese counterattacks continue with minor successes.

In Burma... There are air raids, by aircraft from four British escort carriers, on Japanese bases between Mergui and Victoria Point in southern Burma.

Sunday, May 6, 1945

In Occupied Czechoslovakia... Street fighting in Prague continues between the Czech resistance forces and German forces.

On the Eastern Front... Fighting continues in Czechoslovakia, near Olmutz and in East Prussia, on the Frische Nehrung.

On the Western Front... The US 97th Division, part of US 5th Corps of the US 3rd Army, occupies Pilsen in Czechoslovakia. The US 12th Corps advances toward Prague but the army is ordered to halt the advance and allow Soviets to occupy the rest of the country as has been arranged.

In Yugoslavia... German forces continue to resist in the north against the partisan army.

In Burma... Troops from the British 26th Indian Division, part of British 15th Corps, advancing north from Rangoon link with British 17th Indian Division, part of British 4th Corps, at Hlegu. The Japanese 28th Army is cut off as a result. Scattered Japanese forces remain in Burma from west of the Sittan River toward Thailand and in the southwest of the country. British mopping-up operations continue, limited by the monsoon weather conditions.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, elements of the US 25th Division, part of US 1st Corps, capture the Kembu plateau. On Mindanao, the US 24th and 31st Divisions overrun Japanese positions north of Davao, where the Japanese 35th Army (General Morozumi) is concentrated.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, the Japanese offensive loses momentum. Japanese forces have sustain losses of at least 5000 killed. Even while it has been going on, American forces have made gains near Machinto airfield and Maeda Ridge.

In the Dutch East Indies... On Tarakan, Japanese forces retreat from the town of Tarakan.

In the Andaman Islands... The battleships and cruisers of British Task Force 63 shell Port Blair.

Monday, May 7, 1945

In Rheims... At 0141, German military representatives, General Jodl and Admiral Freideburg, sign the unconditional surrender at the headquarters of General Eisenhower (SHAEF). British, French, Soviet and American representatives are all present. Operations are to end at 2301 on May 8th.

On the Western Front... Allied military operations come to an end almost immediately after the surrender is signed.

On the Eastern Front... Soviet troops of the 1st Belorussian Front reach the Elbe river north and southeast of Magdeburg. In Silesia, the German garrison of Breslau surrenders to the Soviet 1st Ukrainian Front after an 82 day siege. In Czechoslovakia, fighting continues north of Olmutz and in the town itself. On the Frische Nehring, in East Prussia, the remaining German forces continue to hold out near the village of Vogelsang.

In the North Atlantic... Two merchant ships sunk by U-2336 in the Firth of Forth are the last vessels sunk by German submarines during World War II.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, the US 43rd Division advances about 5 miles toward Ipo. American troops attacking towards a ridge near Guagua are repulsed by Japanese defenders.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, the US 7th Division completes the elimination of Japanese units that infiltrated into the Tanabaru area. Fruitless attacks on the Japanese held Shuri Line continue.

Tuesday, May 8, 1945

In Britain... Victory in Europe -- VE Day -- is celebrated. Churchill and King George VI make special broadcasts to mark the occasion.

In France... VE Day is celebrated in Paris with fireworks and extra rations of wine.

In Canada... In the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, VE Day celebrations turn into a riot as Canadian sailors loot shops.

In the United States... President Truman warns Americans that the war is only half won.

In Berlin... The German surrender is ratified. For Germany, Keitel, Freideburg and Stumpf sign, and for the Allies, Spaatz, Tedder, Zhukov and de Lattre. Hostilities officially end at one minute past midnight.

On the Eastern Front... The units of Army Group Kurland, long cut off in Latvia, surrender to Soviet forces. Most of the German pockets, which have been holding out in eastern Germany, have also given in.

In Occupied Czechoslovakia... In Prague, the German forces officially surrender. Some Waffen SS units continue to resist, nonetheless.

In Yugoslavia... German forces continue to resist. The Yugoslavian partisan army, under Tito, liberates Zagreb.

In Norway... Crown Prince Olaf lands with British and Norwegian troops.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, the US 145th Infantry Regiment captures the ridge near Guagua, southeast of Mount Pacawagan and blocks a track along the Mariquina river. On Mindanao, units of the US 24th Division establish a bridgehead over the Talomo river, north of Mintal. The US 31st Division clears the Colgan woods, reaching the Maramag airfield. American units land on Samar. On Negros, American forces in the south continue to progress against strong Japanese resistance.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, torrential rain restricts military operations. The US 1st Marine Division eliminates several Japanese held cave positions on Nan Hill, with explosives.

Wednesday, May 9, 1945

In the Soviet Union... The Soviets celebrate VE Day.

On the Eastern Front... German forces in Czechoslovakia and Austria continue to resist. The Soviet 1st Ukrainian Front liberates Prague, the last capital to fall to the Allies. Czechoslovak rebels assist the Soviet advance into the city. German forces holding out in East Prussia and Pomerania capitulate to forces of the Soviet 2nd and 3rd Belorussian Fronts. The 3rd Ukrainian Front advances westward in Austria and reaches Graz and Amstetten, where they make contact with American troops.

In Yugoslavia... Forces of German Army Group Ostmark (Lohr) continue to resist in Croatia and to the north.

On the Western Front... In the south, among the prominent captives are Goring and Kesselring who surrender to the US 7th Army. In Copenhagen, the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, the only major German warship still afloat, surrenders.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, forces of the US 145th Infantry Regiment, an element of US 11th Corps, captures Mount Binicayan and patrols into the Guagua area. On Mindanao, the US 24th Division continues to defend its bridgehead over the Talomo river against Japanese counterattacks but fails to build a bridge. The US 31st Division breaks off its attacks in the Colgan woods to allow air and artillery strikes on the Japanese positions.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, the US 1st Marine Division captures Height 60 after eliminating Japanese positions on Nan Hill. The US 77th Division continues attacks on Japanese strong points north of Shuri. The Kochi Crest area has been secured by American forces.

In Burma... The British 82nd West African Division occupies Sandoway in its advance south from Taungup, along the Arakan coast.

Thursday, May 10, 1945

In the Philippines... On Luzon, the advance of US 43rd Division, part of US 11th Corps, loses momentum. On Mindanao, part of the US 40th Division lands on the coast of Macalajar Bay, in the north of the island. The naval support group is commanded by Rear-Admiral Struble. The landing is successful. Filipino guerrillas provide additional support and the beachhead is rapidly consolidated and extended. Some elements advance some 5 miles to the southeast and link up with units of the US 31st Division. There is heavy fighting between the American and Japanese forces already present on the island. Units of the US 19th Division begin to eliminate a number of Japanese pockets of resistance around Davao.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, at 0300 elements of the US 6th Marine Division begin an attack against the estuary of the Asa river. A bridgehead about 1 mile wide and 400 yards deep is established. During the night a Bailey bridge is built to allow tanks and artillery to cross the river. The US 1st Marine Division makes slight progress towards Shuri, facing heavy Japanese opposition. At sea, Japanese Kamikaze strikes hit 1 American destroyer and 1 mine layer.

On the Eastern Front... The forces of the Soviet 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Ukrainian Fronts join up as they reach Klagenfurt and Linz in Austria. They establish contact with American forces.

In Liberated Norway... Quisling and some of his supporters are arrested. Reichs Commissioners Terboven and the German Chief of Police in Norway both commit suicide.

In Washington... The government announces plans to withdraw 3.1 million American troops from Europe.

Friday, May 11, 1945

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, American forces conduct a coordinated attack on the Japanese held Shuri Line. The forces deployed include the US 3rd Amphibious Corps on the right of the line and the US 24th Corps on the left. Only minor gains are achieved. At sea, Kamikaze strikes damage the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill and 2 destroyers.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, elements of US 1st Corps make contact on Kapintalan Ridge. The US 25th Division advances on Santa Fe. On Mindanao, elements of US 40th Division advance to hills overlooking Del Monte airfield. Units of Filipino guerrillas liberate Cagayan. The US 24th Division mops up the area northeast of the Talomo river, near Mintal. On Samar, a small American contingent is landed to spot Japanese artillery sites firing on Davao on Mindanao. Fighting continues in the western mountains on Negros.

In New Guinea... After a bitter fight, elements of the Australian 6th Division occupy Wewak, the last Japanese-held port on the mainland.

In China... Chinese armies hold up the Japanese offensive against Chihchiang, threatening the flanks of the advancing columns and firmly defending in the area of Paima Shan.

On the Eastern Front... Units of the Soviet 1st and 2nd Ukrainian Fronts eliminate most of the German resistance in Czechoslovakia and make contact with American forces at Pilsen. German Army Group Center (Schorner), confined to a pocket east of Prague, surrenders to the Soviets. In Austria, Soviet pressure forces some German units to surrender as well.

In Yugoslavia... In Croatia and the northwest, German Army Group Ostmark (Lohr), formerly Army Group E, continues to resist against Yugoslavian forces.

In the Aegean Sea... German island garrisons begin to surrender.

Saturday, May 12, 1945

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, Japanese forces repulse an attack by elements of US 3rd Amphibious Corps at Sugar Loaf Hill, southeast of Amike. The position is an important point in the Japanese held Shuri Line. The US 1st Marine Division suffers heavy losses but captures most of Dakeshi Ridge. The US 77th Division advances slowly toward Shuri. The Japanese held Conical Hill position is fought over by US 96th Division. At sea, a Kamikaze plane strikes the USS New Mexico, causing considerable damage.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, elements of the US 43rd Division, part of US 11th Corps, converge on Ipo, capturing several hill occupied by the Japanese. On Mindanao, Del Monte airfield is reached by elements of the US 40th Division. Other elements advance southwest of Tankulan. The US 123th Infantry Regiment eliminates the Japanese strongpoint in the Colgan woods after a lengthy air and artillery bombardment. American aircraft and artillery strike at suspected Japanese gun emplacements on Samar Island.

In Liberated Czechoslovakia... American forces transfer General Vlasov, former commander of the Russian Army of Liberation and chairman of the Committee for the Liberation of the Peoples of Russia, to Soviet custody.

In Occupied Germany... Elements of US 7th Army capture the Japanese ambassador to Germany, General Oshima, and 130 members of his staff.

In the Mediterranean... The German garrison on Crete surrenders.

In the Arctic... The last Artic convoys JW-67 (eastbound) and RA-67 (westbound) assemble.

In the North Atlantic... U-858 surrenders to American naval forces and is escorted to Cape May, New Jersey where it arrives on May 13th flying the black flag of surrender. This is the first U-boat to surrender since Admiral Donitz order the submarine fleet to surrender on May 4th.

In Washington... The government orders a suspension of Lend-Lease shipments to the USSR.

Sunday, May 13, 1945

In Liberated Italy... Elements of the Yugoslavian partisan army occupy Trieste.

In Yugoslavia... Most of German Army Group E (Lohr) surrender. Some German forces continue to resist in Upper Slovenia, west of Maribor, near the Austrian frontier.

On the Eastern Front... In Czechoslovakia, German forces continue to attempt to evade capture by Soviet forces and seek to surrender to American forces instead. Active resistance ends.

In the Philippines... After more heavy fighting on Mindanao, the Del Monte airfield is captured by units of the US 40th Division. The US 24th Division advances northwards along the Talomo track in the river valley. On Luzon, the force of the US 1st Corps complete the occupation of the Balete Pass, clearing the way into the Cagayan valley. The US 43rd Division, part of US 11th Corps, comes within sight of the Ipoh dam.

In Burma... In the Arakan area, the British 82nd West African Division occupies Gwa unopposed.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, fierce fighting continues along the Shuri Line. The US 6th Marine Division suffers heavy losses but completes the capture of Dakeshi Ridge. On the east coast, elements of the US 96th Division penetrate the strip east of the Shuri line and take part of Conical Hill.

Monday, May 14, 1945

In Occupied Germany... US Army announced the discovery of millions of dollars worth of art looted by the Nazis from all over Europe well as 100 tons of gold bars and currency hidden in a salt mine located on the Losa Plateau in Austria. Meanwhile, the concentration camp at Ebensee is liberated and described as "more horrible than Buchenwald."

In Yugoslavia... Elements of German Army Group E continue to resist, in spite of the general surrender.

On the Eastern Front... The estimated 150,000-strong German forces of Army Group Kurland, cut off in East Prussia and Latvia, surrender to the forces of the Soviet 3rd Army, 2nd Belorussian Front.

In Moscow... The Soviet government claims to have taken 180,000 German prisoners in northern Latvia.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, 20 American Marines reach the summit of Sugar Loaf Hill. The airfield at Yonabaru is captured.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, units of the US 25th Division, part of US 1st Corps, advance north of the Balete Pass. Elements of the the US 43rd Division, part of US 11th Corps, reach the Ipoh dam, which has been fortified by the Japanese.

Over Japan... The US 20th Air Force conducts a fire bombing raid Nagoya. About 2500 tons of incendiary bombs are dropped by 472 B-29 Superfortress bombers. Some 20 Japanese fighters are shot down.

Tuesday, May 15, 1945

On the Eastern Front... German military resistance comes to an end with the disintegration of German Army Group Center, consisting of about 1.2 million troops. Those that could, have surrendered to American forces, the remainder have capitulated to Soviet forces.

In Yugoslavia... The last pocket of German resistance, at Slovenski Gradek, surrenders. Some 150,000 soldiers surrender to Yugoslav and Soviet forces. Out of a population of 15 million, 1.4 million civilians (including 55,000 Jews) and 305,000 soldiers have died during the war.

In Vienna... A new republic of Austria is declared.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, slow American advances and costly Japanese counterattacks continue. Heavy fighting is reported around the Sugar Loaf Hill and Conical Hill positions. Marines on Sugar Loaf Hill, elements of US 3rd Amphibious Corps, withdraw because of Japanese fire. The US 1st Marine Division advances along the Wana river valley, west of Shuri, against heavy Japanese resistance. The US 305th and 77th Divisions, of US 24th Corps, achieve limited progress and have been reduced to 25 percent effectiveness in the fighting.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, the US 11th Corps prepares for a resumption of attacks against the Ipoh dam, north of Manila. Forces of the US 8th Army launch new attacks on Mindanao and Negros. Units of the US 24th Division advance from Davao to the northeast and make contact with Filipino guerrillas. Mopping up operations continue in the Talomo river valley.

In Burma... Aung San, the Burmese nationalist leader, joins the Allied drive against the Japanese. The British 26th Indian Division advances from Rangoon toward Prome and links up with the British 20th Indian Division advancing southward.

In the Andaman Islands... British ships and aircraft attack Japanese positions.

Wednesday, May 16, 1945

In the Arctic... Convoy escorts accept the surrender of 14 German U-boats and escort the submarines to Loch Eriboll in Scotland.

In the Channel Islands... British forces liberate Alderney.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, the US 6th Marine Division (part of US 3rd Amphibious Corps) reports heavy casualties in continuing attacks on Sugar Loaf Hill. Japanese antitank guns knock out a number of American tanks supporting an advance, by US 1st Marine Division, along the valley of the Wana River. Attacks by the US 77th Division to the north of Shuri continue to be unsuccessful. The US 96th Division reaches the edge of the village of Yonabaru. Love Hill, to the west of Conical Hill, continues to be held by Japanese forces.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, the US 152nd Division, part of US 11th Corps, attacks Woodpecker Ridge with heavy artillery support and entrenches on the summit. The capture of the Bicol peninsula by forces of the US 14th Corps is declared to be completed. On Mindanao, Japanese forces hold the American advance along the Talomo River.

In the Strait of Malacca... During the night (May 15-16), the Japanese cruiser Haguro and a destroyer, attempting to resupply Japanese garrisons on the Nicobar Islands, are intercepted by 5 British destroyers, commanded by Captain Power, which sink the cruiser with torpedo attacks.

Thursday, May 17, 1945

In the Philippines... On Luzon, the US 152nd Division, part of US 11th Corps, entrenches in favorable positions on Woodpecker Ridge as the Japanese retire. The US 43rd Division captures the Ipoh dam, the main source of water for Manila, intact after an intensive bombing and artillery preparation.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, the US 6th Marine Division, part of US 3rd Amphibious Corps, continues assaulting Sugar Loaf hill have Japanese positions are heavily bombarded by aircraft, artillery and ships. Elements of US 1st Marine Division capture the western part of the Wana valley but fail to take the ridge. Units of the US 77th Division, part of US 24th Corps, make a surprise attack on Ishimmi Ridge, west of the village, and end up in positions exposed to Japanese fire.

In the Marshall Islands... Aircraft from the USS Ticonderoga attack targets on the Japanese held island of Taroa and the Maleolap atoll, encountering limited resistance.

In the Greater Sunda Islands... Dutch troops land on Tarakan Island, reinforcing the Australian forces which have encountered heavy Japanese resistance.

In Denmark... The German garrison on the island of Bornholm surrenders.

Friday, May 18, 1945

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, the US 6th Marine Division, part of US 3rd Amphibious Corps, captures most of the Sugar Loaf Hill, as well as parts of the Half Moon and the Horseshoe positions that overlook it, after several days of bitter fighting. The US 1st Marine Division continues to battle for the Wana river valley and Wana Ridge but fails to eliminate Japanese resistance, even with flame-throwers and tanks in support. Meanwhile, the US 77th and 96th Divisions, parts of US 24th Corps, attack Japanese positions on Flat Peak without success.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, American units make some progress toward Woodpecker Ridge.

In China... Chinese forces reoccupy Foochow, in Fukien province. Reinforcements from Burma (3 divisions) are about to return.

In Occupied Germany... In Flensburg, Admiral Donitz, nominally the Fuhrer of the Third Reich, issues an order of the day to the Wehrmacht in which he expresses horror at revelations about the Nazi concentration camps and distances the military from the atrocities.

In Dublin... The Irish Prime Minister, De Velera, announces a $12 million food and clothing aid program for Europe.

Saturday, May 19, 1945

In the Middle East... French troops arrive in Syria and Lebanon. Arab nationalists launch protest demonstrations against the landing.

In Occupied Germany... At Flensburg, Alfred Rosenberg, the unofficial philosopher of the NSDAP and the person responsible for formulating the racial policies of the party, is arrested.

In Moscow... Stalin denies that Polish leaders were arrested for political reasons.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, in the Ipoh dam area north of Manila, where the US 43rd Division of US 11th Corps is operating, Japanese resistance ends. The US 152nd Division is holding its positions near Woodpecker Ridge. The US 25th Division, part of US 1st Corps, begins mopping up in the area north and west of Santa Fe.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, the US 77th Division suffers heavy casualties while fighting for the Ishimmi ridge and withdraws.

Over Japan... Some 272 American B-29 Superfortress bombers strike Hamamatsu, 120 miles (192 km) from Tokyo. Bombs are dropped through the clouds from medium altitude.

Sunday, May 20, 1945

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, American troops secure Chocolate Drop Hill after fighting in the interconnecting tunnels. Elements of the 1st Marine Division, part of US 3rd Amphibious Corps, capture Wana Ridge. Elements of the US 6th Marine Division, part of the same corps, begin mopping up operations in the Japanese held caves of the Horseshoe and Half Moon positions. They use flame-throwers and hollow-charge weapons and seal off some Japanese troops. Japanese forces counterattack on the Horseshoe position suffering an estimated 200 killed. To the east, the US 7th and 96th Divisions, of US 24th Corps, continue to be engaged in the capture of Yonabaru.

In the Philippines... On Mindanao, the US 31st Division, part of US 10th Corps, advances northward and occupies positions near the town of Malaybalay and encounter Japanese artillery fire. Other units advance north of Davao and resist nighttime counterattacks.

In China... Japanese troops evacuate Hochih, in Kwangsi province. The Japanese Imperial General Staff has decided to redistribute available forces closer to the home islands.

In Occupied Germany... In Berlin, Soviet authorities appoint Dr. Arthur Werner as the Oberbergermeister (mayor) of the city.

Monday, May 21, 1945

In Occupied Germany... At Belsen, British authorities order the last remaining hut of the concentration camp to be burnt to the ground. Hermann Goring, former Reichsmarshal of the Luftwaffe, is transferred from the prisoner of war camp at Augsburg to the Palace Hotel at Mondorf where he joins other senior Nazi officials awaiting Allied interrogation.

In Britain... At Blackpool, the British Labour Party votes to withdraw its support from the British coalition government and therefore reject the proposal, made by Winston Churchill, to continue the alliance with the Conservative Party until the end of the war with Japan.

In Damascus... Syrian and Lebanese representatives break off negotiations with French representatives. Arab nationalists are seeking to assert their claim to independence, something that was promised when the Free French liberated Syria and Lebanon in 1941, while France presently refuses to recognise anything more than limited self-government.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, US 3rd Amphibious Corps reports advances near the Horseshoe, Half Moon and Wana positions, on the western flank. On the east-side, US 7th and 96th Divisions (parts of US 24th Corps) attack near Yonabaru. Japanese forces begin to pull out of the Shuri Line.

In the Philippines... The Japanese supply base at Malaybalay on Mindanao is captured by elements of the US 31st Division.

Tuesday, May 22, 1945

In Occupied Germany... Heinrich Himmler, the Reichsfuhrer SS, is captured by a British patrol at Bremervorde, near Hamburg. He initially claimed to be a rural policeman named Heinrich Hitzinger but under interrogation he removed the black eye patch he was wearing and put on his familiar glasses before admitting his true identity.

In Britain... A group of 25 German POWs is put to work in the suburbs of London to assist in rebuilding. They are visited by the British minister of works, Duncan Sandys, who later commented: "We hope to get a lot of good work out of these chaps."

In London... The government announces that rations of bacon, cooking fats and soap are to be cut. British supplies are to be shared with liberated European countries. Prisoners of war who are not engaged in labor are also going to have their rations reduced.

In Washington... President Truman reports to Congress on the Lend-Lease program. He announces that up to March 1945, Britain had received supplies worth $12,775,000,000 and the Soviets $8,409,000,000. Reverse Lend-Lease, mostly from Britain has been worth almost $5,000,000,000 in the same period.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, American forces enter Yonabaru and capture Conical Hill. Heavy rains begin that hamper offensive operations for the coming weeks.

In the Philippines... Elements of the US 24th Division reach Tambongan on Mindanao.

Wednesday, May 23, 1945

In Occupied Germany... At Flensburg, the successor government of the Third Reich, including Karl Donitz, the nominal Fuhrer, as well as the German military leadership, are all arrested on the orders of General Eisenhower. At Luneburg, Heinrich Himmler commits suicide while being examined by a doctor at the headquarters of the British 2nd Army. He had been stripped and searched but bit down on a hidden phial of cyanide when the doctor attempted to stick a finger in his mouth. At St. Johann, US troops uncover $4 million in mixed currencies believed to belong to Himmler. In Bavaria, the former leading Nazi anti-Semitic propagandist, Julius Streicher, is arrested by Americans.

In London... The Labor Party withdraws from the wartime coalition government and Prime Minister Churchill (leading the Conservative Party) resigns in order to prepare for the election. He forms a new caretaker government to hold office until the election. The date of the election -- the first in ten years -- is set on July 5, 1945.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, after occupying Naha, the US 6th Marine Division (part of US 3rd Amphibious Corps) encounters heavy Japanese resistance to attempts to advance further south.

In Japan... American attacks bring shipping at Yokohama to a halt.

Thursday, May 24, 1945

In Japan... On Kyushu, aircraft from US Task Force 58 raid several airfields used by the Kamikaze forces attacking American naval forces around Okinawa. Meanwhile about 520 US bombers strike Tokyo, dropping some 3646 tons of bombs.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, during the night, Japanese paratroopers on a suicide mission are landed on American held Yontan airfield and destroy a significant number of aircraft before being wiped out. Meanwhile, Japanese troops conduct vigorous counterattacks in the direction of Yonabaru and make a small penetration into the lines of the US 32nd Division.

In New Guinea... Australian troops surround Wewak.

In Occupied Germany... Field Marshal Robert Ritter von Greim, appointed commander in chief of the Luftwaffe, in succession to Goring, during the last days of the Third Reich, commits suicide.

In Paris... De Gaulle awards Montgomery the Grande Croix of the Legion d'Honneur.

Friday, May 25, 1945

In Washington... The American armed forces Chiefs of Staff set November 1, 1945 as the start date for the invasion of Japan -- Operation Olympic.

From London... Churchill asks all Allied commands in Europe, that have received information from the Ultra project, to maintain its secrecy.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, the US 4th Marine Regiment eliminates the Japanese casemates and underground positions on Machishi Hill. The US 29th Regiment secures Naha.

Saturday, May 26, 1945

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, American bombers and artillery attack Japanese troops withdrawing from the Shuri Line.

Over Japan... Some 464 American B-29 Superfortress bombers fire-bombed Tokyo with about 4000 tons of incendiares. Parts of the imperial palace were damaged as was the nearby business district of Marunouchi, which was the targeted area. A total of 26 of the Marianas-based bombers were lost.

In Burma... Allied forces occupy Bassein, 90 miles west of Rangoon.

In Occupied Germany... The Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) is transferred from Rheims to Frankfurt-am-Main.

Sunday, May 27, 1945

In China... Chinese troops complete the occupation of Nanning, the capital of Kwangsi Province. This success cuts off the main Japanese supply route from French Indochina, Thailand, Malaya and Burma, leaving up to 200,000 Japanese troops stranded.

In Burma... For the first time in history, an entire army is moved by air transport. American aircraft fly the Chinese 6th Army from Burma to China.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, American forces attacking southward, continue to encounter heavy Japanese resistance. Japanese aircraft begin a two-day series of strikes against the Allied naval forces around the island. The US destroyer Drexler is sunk.

In the Philippines... The US 25th Division, part of the US 1st Corps, takes Santa Fe on Luzon. There is still heavy fighting in several parts of Mindanao.

On Borneo... Most of the island is secured by Australian forces. Japanese aircraft attack Australian positions on Tarakan. Total Australian casualties in the campaign are 436 killed and 1460 wounded.

Monday, May 28, 1945

In Occupied Germany... William Joyce ("Lord Haw Haw") is captured in Flensburg. He is a British fascist who became a radio propagandist for the Nazis during the war.

In the Netherlands... Queen Wilhelmina returns.

From London... The British Royal Navy announces the end of the convoy system for shipping operating in the Atlantic, Arctic and Indian Oceans.

In Syria... Fighting breaks out between French troops and Syrians.

From Washington... Admiral Halsey, commanding US 3rd Fleet, takes command of American naval forces operating against targets in Japan; US Task Force 58 is assigned to US 3rd Fleet, becoming TF38.

In the Ryukyu Islands... More than 100 Japanese planes are shot down near Okinawa. This is the last major effort against the Allied naval forces surrounding the island. One American destroyer is sunk in the otherwise unsuccessful air strikes.

Tuesday, May 29, 1945

In Belgium... Belgian socialists call on King Leopold III to abdicate. The former government in exile and some Belgians hold the king in low regard because of his independent policies before the war and his unilateral decision to surrender to the Germans in 1940, without consulting the British and French who were assisting in the defense of Belgium.

In Norway... The Nobel prize winning author Knut Hamsun is arrested for collaborating with the Nazis during the occupation.

In Syria... French forces shell Damascus and Hama. Syrian gendarmes attack French military posts. Meanwhile, Syrian representatives ask the British for assistance.

In Tokyo... Admiral Ozawa replaces Admiral Toyoda as commander of the Combined Fleet.

Over Japan... American B-29 Superfortress bombers drop incendiaries on Yokohama, burning 85 percent of the port area.

Wednesday, May 30, 1945

In Tehran... The Iranian government formally requests the withdrawal of American, British and Soviet troops from Iran.

In Syria... Damascus is bombed by French aircraft.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, American forces reach Shuri, south of the former Japanese positions. Two battalions of US Marines reach the southeast edge of Naha.

Thursday, May 31, 1945

In Syria... British representatives intervene in the fighting and arrange a ceasefire between French troops and Arab nationalists.

In Norway... Representatives of the Norwegian government in exile return to Oslo.

In Occupied Germany... Odilo Globocnik, a key figure in the Nazi death camps, commits suicide when arrested by a British patrol.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, the US 6th Marine Division (part of US 3rd Amphibious Corps) encounters Japanese rearguards near Hill 46. Japanese forces pull out of Shuri.

In the Philippines... On Negros, organized Japanese resistance ends. On Luzon, a regiment of the US 37th Division begins moving northward from Santa Fe through the Cagayan valley.

In Chunking... Chiang Kai-shek gave up his title as president of the Nationalist Yuan but remains president of China. Song Ziwen (Dr. T. V. Soong) succeeds Chiang.