Erich von Manstein, most capable German commanders during WW2. Designed the ‘sickle cut’ for the Blitz victory over France and commanded successfully Army Group South in Russia since the encirclement of the 6th Army in Stalingrad to his replacement because of differences with Hitler in the spring of 1944.Diary for Friday, August 31, 1945:
Occupied countries
Germany: Arrest of Field Marshals von Brauchitsch and von Manstein.
Politics
USA: Re-establishes diplomatic relations with Finland.
Sea War
Merchant shipping losses in August 1945: 0 Allied ships with 0 tons in the Atlantic, 1 Allied ship with 36 tons elsewhere.
48 Japanese ships with 99,094 tons in Pacific.