Chronology of World War II

Saturday, September 1, 1945

In Washington... The US Department of War Information releases a report dealing with an expected world-wide coal shortage which is "of such proportions as to leave untouched no home or industry in any country" -- with particular reference to the situation in Europe. It notes that the "destruction and disruption of the coal-producing areas of Europe during the war, the military coal needs of the Allied armies during the war, through the succeeding liberation period, and continuing during the occupation and redeployment" have created a situation in which if "no outside imports are forthcoming, the liberated countries -- principally France, Holland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Italy and Greece" will be "some 30,000,000 tons below the figure set as their essential requirements for existence during the winter."

In Italy... The Polish cemetery at Monte Cassino is dedicated.

In Warsaw... The government announces Polish-Danish and Polish-Norwegian trade agreements have been concluded providing for the supply of Polish coal and coke. Poland has also contracted to provide coal and coke to the USSR, Sweden and Romania.

In the Philippines... General MacArthur ends military rule, which has been in force since the American landings on Leyte, because the Philippine government has been re-established and is functioning normally. Control of all areas reverts to the Philippine commonwealth.

Sunday, September 2, 1945

In Tokyo... The Japanese surrender is signed aboard the battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Foreign Minister Shigemitsu leads the Japanese delegation. MacArthur accepts the surrender on behalf of all the Allies. Admiral Nimitz signs for the United States and Admiral Fraser for Britain. There are representatives of all the other Allied nations. Also present are Generals Percival and Wainright who have been Japanese prisoner since they surrendered at Corregidor and Singapore, respectively.

In French Indochina... Nationalist resistance leader Ho Chi-Minh proclaims the existence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

From Melbourne... The Australian Minister of Defence announces that the South-West Pacific Command has come to an end. All the area south of the Philippines have been assigned to British Commonwealth control and operational control of Australian forces, vested in General MacArthur in 1942, has reverted to the Australian government.

In Ceylon... In Kandy, a Siamese military mission arrives, headed by Lt.-Gen. Narong, deputy commander in chief of the Siamese Army, to discuss the Japanese surrender in Siam, the disposal of the Siamese forces and the release of Allied prisoners.

In London... The government ends press censorship.

In Oslo... A meeting of the Norwegian Labor Party decides to reject Communist proposals for a merger with the Norwegian Communist Party.

Monday, September 3, 1945

In the Philippines... Japanese forces commanded by Lieutenant General Yamashita surrender at Baguio, on Luzon. The surrender is accepted by US Lieutenant General Jonathan Wainwright, the American commander who was compelled to surrender to Yamashita at Corregidor in 1942. Wainwright was specially flown in from Tokyo for the ceremony.

In Singapore... British Royal Marines go ashore at Pennang without incident after a local surrender agreement is signed on board the battleship HMS Nelson.

In Tokyo... Emperor Hirohito opens the 88th session of the Imperial Diet, with Allied correspondents present.

In the Soviet Union... The Red Army paper Red Star announces the creation officers' clubs, exclusively for the use of officers. Prior to this, Soviet officers and other ranks possessed common club facilities.

Tuesday, September 4, 1945

In Copenhagen... The Danish Minister of Defense, Kraft, announces that an agreement has been reached with the British government for Danish citizens aged 18-32 to join the British Army on a volunteer basis, service being for 3 years. He also announces that in November 10,000 men would be called up for 6 months training in Denmark, after which they would be sent to Germany as a Danish division of the British occupation forces to take part in the occupation of the Reich.

In Madrid... The Spanish government is informed that the Allies intend to reestablish the international zone of Tangier.

In Singapore... British Rear-Admiral Holland and Major-General Christison arrive onboard the cruiser HMS Sussex and sign an agreement, on behalf of Admiral Mountbatten, with Japanese General Itagaki, onboard the cruiser, for the British occupation of Singapore.

In Wellington... It is officially announced that Lieutenant General Sir Bernard Freyberg is to be appointed Governor General of New Zealand in succession to Marshal of the RAF Sir Cyril Newall, who retires in February 1946.

Wednesday, September 5, 1945

In Washington... The United States State Department claims that the Japanese government ignored 19 American protests against atrocities committed against US troops.

In London... Ernest Bevin, the British Foreign Secretary, begins discussions with the heads of the British diplomatic missions in the Middle East. The ambassadors to Egypt, Iran and Iraq, as well as the representatives in Syria and Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia, are summoned specially for consultations on the postwar problems of the area.

In Addis Ababa... An agreement is signed by representatives of the governments of France and Ethiopia in which the French recover rights over the railway from Jibouti (in French Somaliland) to Addis Ababa. The railway, built and run by a French company, was requisitioned by the Italians in 1940, was taken over by British authorities after the Italian surrender in East Africa and under the Anglo-Ethiopian treaty of 1944 was to be returned to Ethiopian management, without prejudice to the rights of the French company. Under the agreement, a commission is to delimit the frontier between Ethiopia and French Somaliland.

In Singapore... At 1130 hours, British, Indian and Gurkha troops go ashore amidst cheering crowds. Japanese General Itagaki and other Japanese officers meet them. No incidents occur during the reoccupation and the British 5th Indian Division (Christison) which spearheads the landing encounters no difficulties.

Thursday, September 6, 1945

In the Bismark Archipelago... The unconditional surrender of Japanese forces in southwest Asia is signed about the British aircraft carrier Glory off the coast of New Britain at Rabaul.

In Occupied Germany... General Eisenhower lifts press censorship. Meanwhile, British field security troops, acting on orders of the Allied Control Commission, arrest 44 prominent Ruhr industrialists.

In the United States... Vice Admiral John S. McCain, former commander of US Task Force 58, dies of a heart attack at age 61.

Friday, September 7, 1945

In Occupied Germany... In Berlin, the Allied Victory Parade is held. The Soviet JS-3 heavy tank is publicly displayed for the first time.

In London... A Monetary Agreement is signed by the governments of Great Britain and the Netherlands by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Dalton, and the Minister of Finance, Lieftinck, respectively.

In Canberra... Australia ratifies the United Nations Charter.

Saturday, September 8, 1945

In Japan... The US 1st Cavalry Division enters Tokyo.

In Korea... American forces fly to southern Korea, landing at Inchon, to balance the Soviet occupation of northern Korea.

In Ceylon... Admiral Lord Mountbatten issues a proclamation which indicates that the territorial gains made by Siam during the war are to be taken away and restored to Britain, including the Malay states of Kelantan, Kedah, Perlis, and Trengganu and some of the Shan states on the Burmese frontier.

In France... The Academie Francaise expells from its membership Marshal Petain, Charles Maurras and Abel Bonnard because of their collaboration with Nazi Germany during the occupation.

Sunday, September 9, 1945

In Asia... American servicemen begin to returning to the United States (Operation Magic Carpet). The effort is marred, on this first day, by a Typhoon Louisa which batters the Okinawa area. Up to March 1946, a total of 1,307,859 troops are brought home aboard a fleet that eventually totals 369 ships.

In China... About 1 million Japanese troops of the forces in China, Formosa and northern French Indochina surrender at Nanking. It is estimated that the mainland conflict has resulted in at least 10,400,00 deaths since July 7, 1937.

In Manchuria... About 594,000 Japanese troops, including 148 generals, are reportedly prisoners of the Soviet forces.

In Korea... Japanese forces surrender at Seoul. Japanese administrators, however, remain in office.

In Malaya... Anglo-Indian forces begin landing on the west coast (Operation Zipper).

In Canada... Meat rationing is reintroduced to assure adequate exports to the UK and Europe.

In Paris... General de Gaulle comments on Anglo-French relations and the German problem, as well as related issues, in an interview with reporters from the Times and Manchester Guardian newspapers.

Monday, September 10, 1945

In Occupied Germany... At a meeting of the Allied Control Commission (Zhukov, Eisenhower, Montgomery and Koenig), it is decided to transmit to all neutral states a request for the return to Germany of "all German officials and obnoxious Germans" now in those countries. The states affected are Afghanistan, Eire (Ireland), Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland as well as Vatican City and the Tangier Zone.

In Stockholm... The Swedish Neutrality Decree, which came into force at the outbreak of war in 1939, was suspended, implying that warships and military aircraft of foreign powers may enter Swedish areas as before the ware.

In Occupied Japan... General MacArthur order the dissolution of the Imperial general headquarters and imposes censorship of the printed press and radio.

Tuesday, September 11, 1945

In Occupied Japan... General Hideki Tojo, former prime minister (October 1941 to July 1944), attempts suicide when American troops arrived at his house to arrest him, on General MacArthur's instructions, as a war criminal. Though shooting himself with a revolver below the heart, the wound is not fatal, and after blood transfusions and penicillin administration at the American hospital at Yokahama his condition improves.

In French Indochina... The capital, Hanoi, is occupied by Chinese troops under an agreement for the joint temporary occupation of the territory by Chinese and South-East Asian Command forces, pending the resumption of French Control.

From London... Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder, the Deputy Supreme Commander of SHAEF until its dissolution, is promoted to the rank of Marshal of the RAF.

Wednesday, September 12, 1945

In Singapore... The surrender of Japanese forces in Southeast Asia is concluded before Admiral Lord Mountbatten, the Supreme Commander in South East Asia, in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Buildings. Japanese General Itagaki signs on behalf of Field Marshal Count Terauchi (who is suffering from a paralytic stroke).

In Occupied Japan... Field Marshal Sugiyama, former Commander in Chief of the Japanese Home Army, commits suicide together with his wife. Meanwhile, General MacArthur orders the dissolution of the Black Dragon society (the secret terrorist organization which for many years played a prominent role in Japanese imperialist policies and had been responsible for many political assassinations) and the arrest of seven of its leaders.

In Mexico City... The Mexican government issues a decree nationalizing all deposits of uranium, actinium and other radioactive minerals that might be used in the production of atomic bombs. Such deposits occur in the states of Chihuahua, Durango and Guerrero.

Thursday, September 13, 1945

In Burma... Japanese forces surrender at Rangoon. (The Commander in Chief, General Kimura, surrenders himself on October 24, 1945.)

In New Guinea... Lieutenant General Adachi surrenders the Japanese 18th Army on Wom airfield, near Wewak.

In Spain... The obligatory Falangist salute is abolished by decree.

In Occupied Germany... British military authorities publish a captured Gestapo "death list" of 2300 British and Allied notables, including Churchill, the leaders of the French, Polish and Czechoslovak governments in exile as well as numerous others.

In Moscow... An exhaustive report on the material damage cause by the German-led invasion of the Soviet Union is released by the State Commission for investigating German war crimes. The report concludes: "The German invaders guilty of organizing and carrying out the destruction of towns and villages, factories and mills, collective farms and State farms and of plundering citizens' private property, must bear full responsibility for their criminal misdeeds, while the damage caused by the invaders to the national economy of the USSR and to Soviet citizens must be indemnified by Germany."

Friday, September 14, 1945

In Brussels... The Belgian government announces that 3 Belgian divisions of 17,000 men will participate in the occupation of Germany as part of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR), under the supreme command of Field Marshal Montgomery. Belgium also expresses an interest in having its own occupation zone, the Aachen and Eifel areas. The first units to be deployed are to be brigades trained in Northern Ireland.

In the Dutch East Indies... The Japanese garrison on Celebes surrenders at Menado.

Saturday, September 15, 1945

In Britain... Commemorative parades throughout the country celebrate the fifth anniversary of the greatest RAF victory over the Luftwaffe, when 185 German planes were destroyed over southern England, marking the turning point in the Battle of Britain.

In the United States... A hurricane in southern Florida and the Bahamas destroys 366 planes and 25 blimps at Richmond Naval Air Station in Florida.

In Washington... The US Department of War issues figures showing that a total of 7,306,000 soldiers (including a small number of Allied forces and civilians) and 126,859,000 tons of war cargo have been moved from American ports to all fronts between December 1941 and August 31, 1945.

Sunday, September 16, 1945

In the Soviet Union... The first meeting of the LIK (Lithuanian Liberation Committee- Lietuvos islaisvinimo komitetas) is held with five persons in attendance. Their primary goal is to rally underground forces for the restoration of an independent Lithuanian state. A manifesto is issued to the Lithuanian public and 6 partisan command regions are defined.

In Hong Kong... The Japanese garrison surrenders. The ceremony takes place at Government House where Rear-Admiral Cecil Harcourt signs the formal surrender instrument with American, Chinese and Canadian representatives present. Major-General Okada and Vice-Admiral Fujita sign on behalf of the Japanese. The British flag is ceremonially hoisted over Government House and a victory salvo of 21 guns is fired by British warships in harbor.

Monday, September 17, 1945

In the Soviet Union... In Latvia, an estimated 17 NKVD troops surround a group of 18 VCA partisans. A total of 10 partisans, including the leader, are killed.

In Occupied Germany... Josef Kramer and 44 others German SS officers stand trial at Luneburg on charges of conspiracy to commit mass murder at Auschwitz and Belsen. Meanwhile, the British, in order to begin receiving war reparations, place an order for 20,000 Volkswagen Beetle cars. By years end more than 1,700 had been produced, their sale being used to recreate the German post office, red cross and other institutions. Within a year 10,000 were made, selling for 5,000 RM a piece, though as of yet no civilians were allowed to purchase the car.

In France... Jean-Herold Paquis, another "radio traitor" broadcasting from occupied Paris, was sentenced to death at the conclusion of a trial in which the prosecution called no witnesses but played recorded extracts from his broadcasts. He admitted during the trial that he received payment for his services and noted that after hearing of the German atrocities he was "happy over the Allied victory" and recognized that he had been "mistaken."

In China... Nationalist Chinese occupy Beijing.

Tuesday, September 18, 1945

In Yugoslavia... Dr. Milan Grol, Vice-Premier in the Marshal Tito government and leader of the Serbian Democratic Party, resigns. The resignation is believed to be due to his objection to certain provisions in the new Yugoslav electoral laws.

In Egypt... Mahmud Issawy, the 26-year-old lawyer who assassinated the late Egyptian prime minister, Dr. Ahmed Maher Pasha, after the Egypt declared war on the Axis countries, was executed today, after the prime minister confirmed the sentence.

In the United States... Henry L. Stimson resigns his position as Secretary of War and is succeeded by R.B. Patterson.

In Britain... The text of letters exchanged between General Franco and Prime Minister Churchill are published.

Wednesday, September 19, 1945

In Occupied Korea... Kim Il-sung arrives Port Wonsan onboard the Soviet warship Pugachev and begins to organize the Workers' Party of Korea (which is formally announced on October 10, 1945).

In Occupied Japan... American occupation forces issue a press code, totally banning reports or publications about the atomic bombing.

In Indochina... British and French forces suppress Vietnamese nationalist forces at Saigon.

In Britain... "Lord Haw-Haw" is sentenced to death at the Old Bailey, London.

In London... The government announces India will be given home rule soon.

Thursday, September 20, 1945

In the United States... German rocket engineers who have been captured at the end of the war and been brought to the US start work on the American rocket program.

In London... At the conclusion of the discussions of Middle East problems, the British Foreign Office releases a communique stating that the government is "impressed with the desirability of strengthening the relations with the countries of the Middle East on the basis of mutual cooperation and the promotion of their social and economic well-being" and that "the mutual understanding which has been built up in the Middle East by the various wartime organisations offers a favourable prospect of fruitful cooperation in the future in these fields."

In Britain... Details of the Vampire jet fighter are made public. Reports state that it is the fastest plane in the world, comparable to the American Shooting Star jet fighter, with a top speed over 500 miles per hour, an operational height of 45,000-50,000 feet and an armament of 4 20mm cannon in the nose.

In China... British and American warships arrive at Shanghai.

Friday, September 21, 1945

In Washington... President Truman holds a cabinet meeting to discuss the question of sharing atomic secrets with the British and particularly the Soviet governments. He chose the topic because it was Secretary of War Stimson's last day in government service; Stimson was retiring that afternoon. In the words of Undersecretary of State Acheson, "the discussion was unworthy of the subject." Stimson desired only a diplomatic approach, not an openhanded passing of information American scientists sought. The presumption was that the Soviets would offer a quid pro quo for the cost of the nuclear project. Instead, some cabinet members misconstrued the debate to be whether to give away the secrets. They were totally unprepared to handle this complicated subject and hardly knew the difference between an at secret and common scientific knowledge. They responded by offering their opinions in airy detail. After the discussion, and reception of papers prepared thereafter (with the exception of Stimson's, which was prepared well in advance), the president released an ambiguous public statement.

In Rio de Janeiro... Brazil ratifies the United Nations Charter.

In India... The Congress Party demands that southeast Asia be freed from "Imperialist domination."

Saturday, September 22, 1945

In French Indochina... Some 1400 French soldiers released by the British from former Japanese internment camps enter Saigon and go on a deadly rampage, attacking Viet Minh and killing innocent civilians including children, aided by French civilians who joined the rampage. An estimated 20,000 French civilians live in Saigon.

In Britain... The aircraft carrier Hercules is launched on the Tyne River. (In 1961 it is transferred to the Indian Navy as Vikrant.)

Sunday, September 23, 1945

In French Indochina... The Viet Minh sponsored Resistance Committee of the Saigon-Cholon Region is set up in response to the return of French authorities. It issues an order calling for non-collaboration with the colonialists and calls on the townspeople of Saigon to unite in resistance. Barricades are erected.

In Cairo... The Egyptian government demands that British forces withdraw from the Sudan, prior to its incorporation with Egypt.

Monday, September 24, 1945

In Tokyo... Japanese Emperor Hirohito says that he did not want war and blames Tojo for the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In the United States... Elevator operators of 2000 buildings in Manhattan go on strike.

Tuesday, September 25, 1945

In Occupied Germany... The Allied Control Commission issued a proclamation announcing additional requirements of Germany. Field Marshal Montgomery, General Eisenhower, Marshal Zhukov and General Koenig sign the 3000 word document. Among the points of the declaration is that the NSDAP and all German armed forces are declared illegal. Meanwhile, secret German OKW documents dated August 17, 1940 which deal with the plan to invade Britain (code named Operation Sealion) are discovered by the Allies.

In London... The Ministry of War Transport announces that in order to avoid the use of the Panama Canal, dues for which have to be paid in dollars, instructions have been given for the rerouting of British ships from Australia and New Zealand.

Wednesday, September 26, 1945

In Britain... The freedom of Aldershot is conferred on the Canadian Army. This is the first time that any British community has presented its freedom to a complete visiting army.

In the Andaman Islands... The Japanese garrison surrenders to the Anglo-Indian sloop Narbada.

In Washington... President Truman announces that, under a decision at the recent Potsdam Conference, the surviving German naval vessels will be divided equally between the United States, Great Britain and the Soviet Union. He notes also that no decision has been made on the disposal of the Imperial Japanese Fleet.

Thursday, September 27, 1945

In Occupied Japan... Emperor Hirohito visits General MacArthur in Tokyo.

In London... An agreement is signed setting up the European Central Inland Transport Organisation. The signatories represent UK, USA, USSR, France, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Luxemburg, Czechoslovakia, Greece and Yugoslavia. A Polish representative is present for the discussions (begun on August 24th) but lacks credentials. Poland is expected to sign. The organization is to be responsible for the allocation or distribution of all forms of transport, equipment and material as may be made available by the Allied commanders in chief.

In Britain... A university for the Canadian Army in Europe, known as the "Khaki University of Canada," is opened by Field Marshal Montgomery at Leavesden. The school will provide professional and other courses for Canadian servicemen pending their demobilization and return to civilian life. When opened, enrolment consists of 565 students taking six month courses in various subjects.

Friday, September 28, 1945

In Occupied Germany... General Patton ridicules the "de-nazification" program in Bavaria.

In Brussels... The Belgian parliament approves approves a series of decree-laws for the improving the living conditions of workers, including the establishment of a "Household Re-equipment Fund" which will provide coupons to qualified persons for which they can obtain textile goods, footwear and household utensils. It is estimated that is will take 2-3 years to manufacture sufficient quantities of the materials covered for all persons qualifying.

In Oslo... The Norwegian government announces that all Soviet forces stationed in northern Norway have been withdrawn, and all remaining British and American forces are expected to withdraw by the end of October.

Saturday, September 29, 1945

In the Dutch East Indies... British troops land on Java to combat Nationalist rebels.

In Argentina... Demonstrators, numbering an estimated 500,000, call of the resignation of Peron in Buenos Aires.

In Italy... Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander officially resigns his position as Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean at Caserta and is succeeded by US Army General Joseph McNarney, with British Lt. Gen. W. D. Morgan, former Chief of Staff, as Deputy Supreme Commander and American Maj. Gen. Lyman L. Lemnitzer as the new Chief of Staff.

Sunday, September 30, 1945

In Britain... The Bourne End (Hemel Hempstead) rail disaster kills 44 and injures 88. An LMS passenger express train from Perth to Euston derails at Bourne End at 9am. The train left the tracks and plunged down a 20 foot embankment, the engine and 4 leading coaches overturning and many people are trapped under the wreckage. Rescue work went on day and night, aided by British and American servicemen. This is the worst railway accident in Britain since 1915 when 224 people were killed on a troop train at Gretna.

In Damascus... The Syrian premier, Fayez el-Khoury, resigns after failing to secure the confidence of the Syrian Chamber for his proposed government. Saadullah Jabry, premier in 1943, is asked to form a new government.

In China... American Marines of the US 3rd Amphibious Corps start landing at Tientsin, in the north, to disarm 630,000 Japanese.