Year 1945

Diary for Thursday, July 12, 1945: Politics Japan: Emperor Hirohito appoints former Prime Minister Prince Konoye as secret peace emissary in Moscow. Russians refuse to receive him.

Diary for Wednesday, July 11, 1945: Air War Redeployment of 2,118 4-engined bombers of 8th AF from Britain to the USA (en route for Pacific) completed within 51 days. Home

Diary for Tuesday, July 10, 1945: Sea War Pacific: 1,022 planes of TF 38 raid 70 air bases in Tokyo area destroying 173 aircraft – only resistance, light anti-aircraft guns.

Diary for Monday, July 9, 1945: Sea War Atlantic: Brazilian cruiser Bahia sunk by mysterious explosion (294 killed).

Diary for Sunday, July 8, 1945: Air War Sergeant Simon Eden, RAF (aged 20), son of British Foreign Secretary, missing in action over Burma.

Diary for Saturday, July 7, 1945: Sea War Pacific: Many small Japanese vessels sunk or damaged by USN Privateer patrol bombers (modified B-24 Liberator) in Yellow Sea and off South

Diary for Friday, July 6, 1945: Politics Nicaragua becomes first nation to ratify UN Charter.

Diary for Thursday, July 5, 1945: Home Fronts Britain: LABOUR WINS BRITISH GENERAL ELECTION. Labour, 394; Conservatives, 188; Liberals, 14; National Liberal, 13; Ulster Unionists, 9; Communists, 2; Others, 20.

Diary for Wednesday, July 4, 1945: Philippines Mac Arthur announces ‘liberation’ of the Philippines.

Diary for Tuesday, July 3, 1945: Occupied countries Germany: First US occupa­tion troops arrive in Berlin; British contingent arrives next day.

Diary for Monday, July 2, 1945: Sea War Pacific: Rockets fired at Kaihyo island (North Japan) by US submarine Barb.

Diary for Sunday, July 1, 1945: Sea War Pacific: Australians land at Balikpapan (Operation Oboe II).

Diary for Saturday, June 30, 1945: Okinawa Americans complete ‘mopping up’ operations: 8,975 Japanese killed and 2,902 captured, June 23-30. Sea War Pacific: 9 US submarines which have penetrated heavily

Diary for Friday, June 29, 1945: Air War Pacific: Allied bombers raid Balikpapan oil installations for 9th consecutive day.

Diary for Thursday, June 28, 1945: Air War Pacific: B-29 Superfortress drop nearly 3,000 t IB’s on Sasebo naval base.

Diary for Wednesday, June 27, 1945: Home Fronts Czechoslovakia: Former puppet-President of ‘Bohemia-Moravia Protectorate’, Dr Emil Hacha, dies in Prague prison hospital, aged 73, while awaiting trial. Russia: Stalin appointed

Diary for Tuesday, June 26, 1945: Air War Pacific: Radar-equipped B-29 Superfortress bomb Utsube Oil Refinery at Yokkaichi, near Nagoya: first of 15 heavy night raids on Japanese oil targets

Diary for Monday, June 25, 1945: Occupied countries Austria: Allies announce their four zones of occupation. Sea War Pacific: TF 92 – cruisers Richmond and Concord with 4 destroyers –

Diary for Sunday, June 24, 1945: Home Fronts Russia – Victory Parade in Moscow: captured Nazi banners are ceremonially dragged across Red Square.

Diary for Saturday, June 23, 1945: Politics Agreement in Moscow between Polish administrations in London and Lublin on formation of Provisional Government.