1940
February 1st
Battle continues in Kuhmo sector of Central Finland, attempting to encircle a Russian division. Russian forces entrenching themselves on front north of Lake Ladoga. Soviet troops launch violent attack at Summa. In Karelian Isthmus. And British ship “Bancrest” reported sunk.
February 2nd
Russians continue violent attacks on Karelian Isthmus. Twenty places bombed in Southern Finland, including Helsinki and Sortavala. British tanker British Councillor sunk Danish steamer “Vidar” and Swedish steamer “Fram” reported sunk on January 31st.
February 3rd
German aircraft make further raids on unarmed vessels in North Sea. R.A.F. shoots down three raiders and disable a fourth. Four fierce attacks at summa repulsed by Finns. Mass Soviet raids in Finland worst being at Kuopio. Norwegian ship “Tempo” sunk. British steamer "Armanistan” torpedoed H. M. minesweeper “Sphinx” sunk.
February 4th
Russian attack positions newly occupied by Finns in Kuhmo sector, but are repulsed. Viipuri severely bombed. British ship “Polzell” and Norwegian steamer “Varild” overdue and presumed lost.
February 5th
Russians stated to be now only 19 miles from Viipuri. Finns report another big victory in course of which Russian 18th Division, north east of Lake Ladoga, suffered heavy losses. Canadian Pacific liner “Beaverburn” and British steamer “Portelet” reported sunk. Swedish steamer “Andalusia” overdue and feared lost.
February 6th
Large Russian forces and tanks make violent attack in Summa sector and are repulsed after 16 hours fighting. Reported that Russian parachute troops have been dropped behind Finnish lines. Swedish steamer “Wirgo” and Estonian ship "Anu" sunk. Norwegian motor ship "Segovia” overdue and presumed lost.
February 7th
Fierce fighting continues in Summa sector and north east of Lake Ladoga, Eire motor ship “Munster” sunk.
February 8th
Battle in Karelian Isthmus reaches its ninth day Finns reported to be still standing firm. French steamer “Marie Dawn” sunk. Third contingent of Canadian Active Service Force arrive in England.
February 9th
Admiralty announce that two U Boats have been sunk by one of British destroyer while attacking a convoy. German bomber shot down near Firth of Forth. Two others believed damaged. Russian continues to attack Summa, also south west of Vuoksi River and over ice of Taipale River. British steamer “Chagres" sunk.
February 10th
Russian continues violent attack on front in Karelian Isthmus. Admiralty announce loss of H. M. trawlers “Robert Bowen” and “Fort Royal”. Dutch steamer “Burgerdijk" sunk.
February 11th
Fierce fighting continues unabated on Karelian Isthmus. Wave of intense cold returns to Europe. 58 degrees F of frost being recorded at Stockholm. British tanker “Imperial Transport” blown into two by torpedo, crew navigate stern half. Norwegian ships “Snestad” and “Gallia” sunk.
February 12th
Russian attacks on Karelian Isthmus increase in violence. But Finns stand firm. Simultaneous attacks are launched between Lake Muola and Vuoksi River, and also near Taipale. Swedish steamer “Dalaro” sunk by U Boat. Estonian steamer “Linda" reported sunk. First contingent of Australian and New Zealand Expeditionary Force arrive at Suez.
February 13th
Russians capture advanced positions of Mannerheim Line. German bomber over Thames Estuary driven off. German steamers “Wakama and Wolfsburg” reported scuttled off Brazilian Coast. British trawler “Togimo" and Swedish steamer “Orania" reported sunk. R.A.F. makes reconnaissance flight over North West Germany.
February 14th
Russian advance in Summa sector checked by second line of Finnish defences. Admiralty announce destruction of Two U Boats concerned in sinking of British tankers “Gretaflield“ and “British triumph” and cargo liner “Sultan Star” . Danish ship “Chastine Maersk” sunk. British steamer “Langliefrord" sunk.
February 15th
Russian offensive on Karelian Isthmus continues with unabated violence. Advance troops reported to be near Leipaesuo 20 miles from Viipuri. Italian cargo steamer “Giorgio Olson" mined. Danish ship “Martin Goldsmidt” sunk. Norwegian steamer “Steinstad” torpedoed.
February 16th
Finns admit Russian penetration of their forward positions at three points. Swedish Government refuse Finnish appeal for direct military assistance and also for passage of foreign troops through there territory. Danish steamer “Sleipner" and “Rhone" sunk.
February 17th
Admiralty announce that 229 British prisoners taken from ships sunk by “Graf Spee” were rescued by H. M. Destroyer “Cossack” on Friday night from German auxiliary vessel “Altmark” in Joessing Fjord. German tanker “Baldur" scuttled. British steamer “Baron Ailsa” and Norwegian steamer “Kvernas" sunk.
February 18th
Finns report victory in battle near Kuhmo, where they destroyed three Russian battalions. Dutch cargo boat “Ameland" mined. Swedish steamers “Liana" and “Osmed" reported sunk. Norwegian ship “Sangstad" Finnish “Wilja" and Spanish “Banderas" sunk.
February 19th
H. M. Destroyer “Daring” reported sunk. Finns gain another victory by finally routing Russian 18th Division north of Lake Ladoga. Russians begin new attack on Taipale. Greek steamer “Ellin" reported sunk.
February 20th
Russian 164th Division reported trapped by Finns at Kitelae, north east of Lake Ladoga. Further violent attacks in Karelian Isthmus. Norwegian ship “Hop" presumed lost.
February 21st
British trawlers attacked in North Sea by Nazi bombers, retaliate with newly installed machine guns. R.A.F. carry out reconnaissances over Heligoland Bight during night German warships bombed. Three Dutch ships reported lost, cargo steamer “Tara” motor tanker “Den Haag” and trawler “Petten”.
February 22nd
Two Heinkel bombers shot down by R.A.F. One in Berwickshire, the other off Northumbrian coast. Fourteen Russian divisions said to be massed for attack on Viipuri. Blizzards hampering transport and air activity. H.M. trawler “Fifeshire" sunk. British steamer “Lock Maddy" torpedoed.
February 23rd
R.A.F. makes night reconnaissance flights over Austria and Bohemia. Fighting is general throughout Karelian Isthmus. Heavy bombing raids over Finland. Nazi raiding planes attack British shipping by moonlight. Norwegian steamer “Telnes" overdue and presumed lost.
February 24th
Russians resume onslaught against Viipuri, but without effect, owing to fog and snow. Two Soviet detachments reported trapped and annihilated by Finns east of Lake Muola. R.A.F. carries out night reconnaissances over Pargue and daylight flights over Heligoland Bight and North West Germany. H. M. trawler “Benvolio" reported mined. British steamers “Jevington Court” and “Royal Archer" sunk.
February 25th
Russians reported to have concentrated troops on Kaislahti, on coastal railway. They also hold Revonsaari, in Gulf of Finland.
February 26th
Finns evacuate fortress of Koivisto. Defence of Viipuri continues, although town now in ruins. Swedish steamer “Santos" reported sunk. Survivors of torpedoed tanker “British Endeavour" land at Madeira. R.A.F. flights over Heligoland.
February 27th
Battle for Viipuri proceeding among islands in Bight of Viipuri. Finns repulse violent attack at Taipale. R.A.F. Shoot down two Heinkels, one off Firth of Forth, the other off Northumberland coast. U Boat sunk by French destroyer off Cape Finisterre. British steamer “Clan Norrison" and Danish ship “Maryland" reported lost.
February 28th
Attack on Viipuri continues with infantry and artillery. Finns repel attacks on new positions. Air Ministry announce further extensive reconnaissance raids over Germany.
February 29th
Russians clam to be within four miles of Viipuri. Finns repulse three attempts to cross Taipale River, and frustrate attack near Pitkaerantae N. E. of Lake Ladoga. French steamer “P. L. M. 25” reported mined.
1941
February 1st
Agordat, Eritrea, captured, and enemy pursued towards Keren. In Albania, Italians retreating towards Valona. Britain advance west of Derna
February 2nd
In Abyssinia enemy in full retreat on Metemma Gonder road. British naval aircraft attack power plant in Sardinia. Large formations of R.A.F. Fighters and bombers carry out daylight offensive sweeps over straits of Dover and enemy occupied territory.
February 3rd
British capture Cyrene, Libya and Barentu, Eritrea.
February 4th
Night raids on Düsseldorf Brest, Bordeaux, Vannes, and Channel ports.
February 5th
H.M. trawler “Lady Philomena” shoots down dive bomber attacking convoy off S.E. coast.
February 6th
Benghazi surrenders. Mr John G. Winant appointed U.S. ambassador to Britain. Channel invasion ports bombed.
February 7th
Free French force from Chad captures Italian air base at Kufra S. Libya. R.A.F. bomb Channel ports.
February 9th
Royal Navy bombards Genoa. British units occupy EL Agheila, Libya. Petain appoints Darlan vice Premier and Foreign Minister.
February 10th
General Wilson appointed C. in C. and Governor of Cyrenaica. Six hour night raid on Hanover. British Parachutists land in Calabria, S. Italy. British Government breaks off diplomatic relations with Rumania.
February 11th
British warships bombard Ostend. King’s African Rifles take Afmadu, It. Somaliland. Heavy R.A.F. raids on aerodromes in Sicily and Rhodes.
February 12th
British occupy Elghena, Eritrea. Mussolini and Franco meet at Bordighere. Drifter “Eager" shoots down a Junkers bomber.
February 13th
German surface raider sinks six ships in British convoy between Madeira and Azores. Night raid on London residential district, causing heavy casualties. Petain confers with Franco at Montpellier.
February 14th
Greeks open new offensive along 80 mile front. South African troops occupy Kismayu, It. Somaliland. At night incendiaries fall over London, but fires are prevented.
February 15th
Italian 11th Army routed in Moskopoli Tepelini sector. R.A.F. makes heavy attacks on Western Ruhr and Channel ports.
February 17th
Turkey and Bulgaria issue joint statement reaffirming policy of non aggression Heavy night raid on London and on town in East Anglia.
February 18th
U.S.A. creates defence zones in Pacific and Caribbean Sea, from which foreign ships and aircraft without permits will be excluded.
February 19th
Heavy night attack on Swansea. London also raided. Our aircraft bomb Brest and Calais.
February 20th
British troops now across River Juba, It Somaliland. Another destructive night raid on Swansea, extensive damage to dwelling houses. Mr Eden in Cairo for consultations with military chiefs.
February 21st
Third successive attack on Swansea. German troops massing on Rumanian Bulgarian frontier. R.A.F. raid Wilhelmshaven, western Ruhr, and aerodromes in France and Holland.
February 22nd
Jumbo at mouth of River Juba now in British hands, Renewal of Greek offensive, mainly in central sector.
February 23rd
Admiralty announces sinking of 7 supply ships by H.M. Submarines in Mediterranean. Margherita and Jelib, It Somaliland, captured. Heavy raid on a north east town in England, causing considerable damage.
February 24th
West African troops capture Brava port in Eritrea. R.A.F. bomb docks at Brest.
February 25th
Mogadishu capital of It. Somaliland captured. Moyale, frontier post in Abyssinia, again in British hands. Destroyer “Exmoor" sunk by E Boat while escorting convoy in North Sea.
February 26th
Bardera, It Somaliland occupied. Heavy enemy night raid on South Wales. R.A.F. bomb Cologne. Seven dive bombers destroyed over Malta.
February 27th
British forces occupy, Kelemit. Eritrea. Many enemy daylight attacks along East Coast causing considerable damage and some casualties.
February 28th
R.A.F. shoots down 27 Italian aircraft over Albania. Heavy bomber attacks on Wilhelmshaven, Emden, Lorient, and Boulogne. Night raids on London.
1942
February 1st
Japanese attempt to land on Corregidor, heavy raids on Rangoon begun.
February 2nd
Loans to China, Britain £50,000,000, U.S.A. £125,000,000, Day light raids by R.A.F. on Channel North France and occupied region.
February 3rd
Japanese bomb Surabaya (Java)
February 4th
Enemy demands surrender of Singapore, and when this is rejected, begins a heavy bombardment. In Libya our forces evacuate Derna. Lord Beaverbrook appointed Minister for Production, Sir Andrew Duncan Minister of Supply. Col Llewellyn Pres. Board of Trade.
February 5th
Loss of H.M. submarine “Triumph" announced.
February 6th
Japanese reinforcements land on Luzon. Air raids begin on Palembang (Sumatra)
February 7th
R.A.F makes heavy attacks on German warships at Brest.
February 8th
Our forces in Libya withdraw to Gazala. Loss of H.M. destroyer “Matabele" announced. Big Japanese landing on N.W. OF Singapore Island.
February 9th
In Burma, enemy crosses Salween. Big Japanese landing at Gasmata, New Britain. Air raids on Batavia. Pacific Council set up in London. Chiang Kai-shek visits Delhi.
February 10th
Japanese take Martaban. Burma, they land at Macassar. Celebes. U.S. Naval forces at Wellington N.Z.
February 11th
Vice- Admiral Helfrich becomes C. in C. Allied Naval Forces in S.W. Pacific. At night the “Scharnhorst “Gneisenau" and “Prinz Eugen" escape from Brest, and steam up the Channel.
February 12th
Running attack on German warships in Channel.
February 14th
Enemy parachute troops land in S. Sumatra. In Libya, Rommel advances eastward.
February 16th
Tenth Army (Iraq and Persia) under Lt–Gen. E. P. Quinan.
February 19th
Japanese invade Bali. N.E.I. Fierce battle between Allied squadron and the invader’s fleet. Mr Attlee. Deputy Premier and Sec. for Dominions. Sir Stafford Cripps. Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House. Lord Beaverbrook leaves Cabinet to go to Washington. Air Marshal Sir Richard Peirse leaves Bomber Command – succeeded by Air Marshal Sir A.T. Harris, to become A.O.C. in C. India. Loss of H.M. destroyer “Gurkha" announced.
February 20th
Japanese land in Portuguese Timor. Dr van Mook arrives in Batavia from America.
February 21st
British forces in Burma withdraw across Sittang River.
February 22nd
British Government changes Sir James Grigg. Sec for Colonies, Col, Llewellyn Minister of Aircraft Production , Lord Portal, Minister of Works and Buildings, Mr Hugh Dalton Pres. Board of Trade, Lord Wolmer. Minister of Economic Warfare. General MacArther appointed C. in C. Allied Forces in Australia, remains in Philippines until March 17th
February 23rd
Prinz Eugen damaged by “Trident" off Trondheim fjord. Russians capture Dorogobuzh.
February 24th
Russians encircle German 16th Army at Staraya Russia. Raid on Wake Island by U.S. Naval force under Admiral Halsey. Japanese bomb Port Blair in Andaman’s. Debate in Commons on Pacific war and Govt. reconstruction.
February 25th
Our bombers raid Kiel (night) where is German battleship “Gneisenau"? Successes by R.A.F. and American Volunteer Group in Burma.
February 26th
“Tirpitz” located at Trondheim.
February 27th
In battle of Java Sea an Allied squadron fights to the death conflict ends March 1st. Allied losses “H.M.S. Exeter”, “H.M.S. Perth” Dutch cruisers “Java” and “De Ruyter” U.S. cruiser “Houston” British destroyer “Kortenaer” ; U.S. destroyer “Pope” sloop H.M.A.S. “Yarra” Loss of H.M. destroyer “Belmont” announced. At night R.A.F. bombs Wilhelmshaven. Where is the “Scharnhorst”? Combined raid on French coast near Le Havre (Bruneval) radio location stn.
February 28th
Japanese land in Java, in Burma, they mass on Sittang river and cut road N. of Rangoon. General Gordon Bennett reaches Australia from Singapore.
1943
February 2nd
Last centre of resistance in Stalingrad area crushed, battle of Stalingrad concluded. “Saturation" night attack by R.A.F. on Cologne; factories used for building U Boats heavily bombed.
February 3rd
Kupiansk and Krasny-Liman in the Ukraine recaptured by Russians.
February 4th
Day raid on the Ruhr by American Flying Fortresses 25 enemy aircraft destroyed; severe night attack on Turin by R.A.F.
February 6th
Announcement of creation of North African Operational Theatre under the command of Lt- General Eisenhower. Air victory over Wau (New Guinea) 37 Allied fighters destroyed 26 of 71 enemy planes and severely damaged another 15.
February 7th
Azov recaptured by Soviet troops. U.S. troops on Guadalcanal reached Titi.
February 8th
Kursh recaptured by Russians.
February 9th
Byelgorod recaptured by Soviet troops.
February 10th
Bitter fighting in suburbs of Rostov. Whole of Guadalcanal reported in American hands.
February 11th
Lozovaya re occupied by Russians. Heavy concentrated night attack by R.A.F. on Wilhelmshaven; main ammunition depot destroyed.
February 12th
Russians stormed Krasnodar, capital of the Kuban.
February 13th
Novocherkassk. Don Cossack capital, recaptured by Russians. Two concentrated night attacks on Lorient.
February 14th
Rostov recaptured for 2nd time by Red Army. Voroshilovgrad also recaptured. Heavy night attacks on Cologne and Milan. Sidi Bou Sid (Tunisia) captured by Germans Rabaul (New Britain) Munda (Solomons) and Kiska (Aleutians) bombed by U.S. aircraft.
February 15th
Gafsa evacuated by Americans; Ben Gardane occupied by Eighth Army (Tunisia)
February 16th
Kharkov, capital of the Ukraine, recaptured by Red Army; held by the enemy since October 29th 1941.
February 17th
Germans captured Sbeitla. Kasserine and Feriana (Tunisia)
February 18th
Zalegosch captured by Red Army. Eighth Army occupied Foum Tatahouine (Tunisia)
February 20th
Krasnograd and Pavlograd recaptured by Red Army. Eighth Army occupied Medenine (Tunisia)
February 21st
Enemy attack towards Thala (Tunisia) held by Britain.
February 22nd
Night commando raid without loss by seaborne British troops on Myebon (Burma)
February 23rd
Sumi recaptured by Red Army
February 25th
R.A.F. heavily bombed Nuremberg at night. British and American units reoccupied Kasserine Pass, Eighth Army penetrated to the line of the Wadi Zigzau (Tunisia)
February 26th
U.S. bombers made heavy daylight attack on Wilhelmshaven, heavy night attack by R.A.F. on Cologne. U.S. Fortresses made three hour attack on Wewak (New Guinea)
February 27th
Kasserine reoccupied by Americans (Tunisia)
February 28th
Violent tank battles in Donetz basin. Very heavy night attack on St Nazaire U.Boat base.
1944
February 1st
Red Army captured Kingisepp. 5th Army broke through the Gustav Line (Italy). Americans captured Roi Island (Marshalls).
February 2nd
Americans fought their way into outskirts of Cassino (Italy).
February 3rd
Russians encircled 10 German divisions in Dnieper Bend, Red Army fighting inside Estonia. Over 1,100 Americans aircraft made daylight raid on Wilhelmshaven (Germany). Strong German counter attack against Anzio beach head (Italy). Determined Japanese attack in Arakan (Burma). Namur Island (Marshalls) captured by Americans. Two Allied air attack on Wewak (New Guinea). 93 Japanese planes destroyed.
February 4th
“Saturation" daylight attack on Frankfort–on-Main by U.S. bombers. Savage fighting in Cassino (Italy). U.S. Fortresses raided Toulon and the Antheor Viaduct (France). About 70 enemy planes attacked S.E. England. Japanese occupied Taung Bazaar (Burma). China based U.S. bombers attacked Bangkok (Siam). U.S. warships bombarded Paramushir (Japan).
February 5th
Rovno and Lutsk recaptured by Red Army. Kwajalein (Marshalls) occupied by U.S. Forces. Japanese sealed Ngakyedauk Pass (Burma)
February 6th
Apostolovo and Marganets recaptured by Red Army, Soviet bombers made night raid on Helsinki.
February 8th
Red Army took Nikopol. Daylight attack by U.S. Fortresses on Frankfort on Main (Germany). R.A.F. dropped first 12,000 lb bomb on Gnome Rhone works at Limoges (France.)
February 10th
Strong U.S. Fortress formations bombed Brunswick by day. Night Allied air raid on Bangkok (Siam). South of Italy, Sicily and Sardinia restored to Italian Government.
February 11th
Red Army recaptured Shepetovka. Heavy Army attack on Frankfort on Main. Taung Bazaar recaptured by British (Burma). Huon Peninsula (New Guinea) cleared of Japanese.
February 12th
Red Army recaptured Luga. M. Paassikivi former Finnish Premier arrived in Stockholm; met Soviet ambassador there on the 16th.
February 13th
East bank of Lake Peipus cleared by Red Army. Some 60 enemy raiders attacked S. E. England.
February 14th
Red Army recaptured Korsun. American and New Zealand forces landed on Green Islands (Solomons). Ponape (Carolinas) bombed by Liberators.
February 15th
R.A.F. Dropped over 2,500 tons on Berlin (night). Monte Cassino bombed and shelled by Allies.
February 16th
Helsinki (Finland) bombed by Soviet planes. Second major German attack against Anzio beach head (Italy) 15 ships of Japanese convoy off Kavieng sunk (New Ireland).
February 16th – 17th
Powerful U.S. naval and air attacks against Truk (Carolinas) 201 enemy planes destroyed 19 ships sunk 7 probably sunk.
February 18th
Encircled German divisions in Dnieper Bend finally liquidated; Staraya Russia recaptured by Red Army. Sharpest German air raid on London since 1941. 5th Army launched major attack on Cassino (Italy). Allies bombed and bombarded Rabaul (New Britain) and Kavieng (New Ireland). Engebi (Marshalls) captured by U. S. Marines.
February 19th
Nearly 1,000 Halifax’s attacked Leipzig (night).
February 20th
Powerful American bomber attacks on Leipzig, Bernburg, Brunswick, Rostock, Gotha, Gutow, and Oschersleben, 2,000 tons dropped by Bomber Command at night on Stuttgart. Sharp Luftwaffe attack on London.
February 21st
Kholm recaptured by Russians. Brunswick, Hanover and other places heavily attacked by U.S. bombers. U.S. Government requests Eire to remove Axis representatives.
February 22nd
3rd Ukrainian Army took Krivoi Rog by storm. U.S. bombers attacked Barnburg, Aschersleben, Halberstadt, and Regensburg (Germany). S.E. England attacked at night by 175 enemy planes. First Allied attack on Marianas.
February 23rd
Luftwaffe made sharp attack on London. Steyr (Austria) bombed by U.S. Liberators.
February 24th
Russians took Dno and Rogachev. Gotha and Schweinfurt (Germany) and Steyr (Austria) attacked by U.S. bombers. Two night attacks on Schweinfurt by Bomber Command. Ngakyedauk Pass (Burma) freed of enemy. 100 tons dropped on Rabaul by Allies at night (New Britain).
February 25th
Regensburg. Stuttgart. Augsburg. Fuerth. Zell- am See attacked by U.S. bombers; 8 hour Allied day offensive against targets in North of France. Belgium and Holland. Severe double night air attacks on Augsburg.
February 26th
600 Soviet bombers attacked Helsinki (Finland). Over 200 Allied planes (1 lost) bombed Rabaul.
February 29th
Third major enemy offensive launched in Anzio beachhead. Americans landed on Los Negros (Admiralty Islands). Official statement on Finnish – Soviet relations issued in Moscow.
1945
February 1st
U.S. 7th Army crossed Moder near Bischweiler; R.A.F. bombed Munchen Gladbach, by night attacked Mainz. Ludwigshaven and Berlin. 2nd White Russian Army stormed Torun on the Vistula; Marshal Zhukov captured Schwerin. U.S. India bases Super Fortresses sank King George V graving dock at Singapore.
February 2nd
French 1st Army liberated Colmar (Alsace). Heavy R.A.F. attacks by night on Karlsruhe and Wiesbaden. Red Army reached Rosen. Australians on Bougainville (Solomons) cleared enemy from lower end of Empress Augusta Bay.
February 3rd
U.S.A. 8th A. F. in strength attacked Berlin at noon; by night R.A.F. Lancaster’s bombed oil plants at Bottrop and Dortmund. Red Army captured Sternberg and Reppen. Near Frankfort.
February 4th
U.S. 1st Army pierced main Siegfried defences E. of Monschau. U.S. 3rd Army crossed our captured Bleialf. R.A.F. bombed enemy shipping in Gulf of Danzig. 1st Ukrainian Army forced Oder S.E. of Breslau. U.S. troops of the 5th Army recaptured Gallicano (Serchio Valley (Italy) Africans took Minbya (Burma). Ywathithgyi captured.
February 5th
U.S. 1st Army captured Hellenthal in Siegfried Line. Australians made new landing in New Britain. Announced that U.S. 1st Army had reverted to General Omar Bradley’s command.
February 6th
U.S. troops under French command stormed Neuf Brisach (Alsace). U.S.A. 8th A. F. in strength bombed Magdeburg. Leipzig and Chemnitz areas. General MacArthur proclaimed fall of Manila.
February 7th
R.A.F. by night and in great strength bombed Goch. Cleve. Bonn. Hanover. Dusseldorf and Duisburg. Belgian Government resigned.
February 8th
1st Canadian Army renewed offensive S. E. of Nijmegen. U.S. 1st Army captured Schmidt in Hurtgen Forest. R.A.F. made major attacks on Politz (Steettin) and Wanne- Eickel (Ruhr) oil plants. Marshal Koniev’s forces crossed Oder N. W. of Breslau.
February 9th
U.S. 3rd Army crossed the Prum River. In Alsace the Colmar pocket liquidated with French and U.S. 8th A. F. heavily bombed Weimar Magdeburg and Lutzkendorf oil plants.
February 10th -11th
(Night) Germans blew up floodgates and controls of Schwammenauel Dam and sluices leading to Urfttalsperre reservoir and the Rur – stausee.
February 10th
Canadians reached W. bank of Rhine. Announced that French 1st Army had completed destruction of German 1st Army. Heavy R.A.F. Mosquito attack on Hanover. 2nd White Russian Army captured Elbing (Baltic) XV Indian Corps took Ramree town (Arakan) Marianas based Super Fortresses bombed Tokyo and Yokohama areas.
February 11th
1st Ukrainian Army broke through enemy defences on W. bank of the Oder, capturing Liegnitz (Lower Silesia). 1st White Russian Army took Deutsch- Krone and Markisch – Friedland (Pomerania). India based Super Fortresses and heavies of Eastern Air Command struck at Rangoon area; other Super Fortresses bombed Ota, near Tokyo.
February 11th – 12th
(Night) 20th Indian Division crossed Irrawaddy at Myinmu.
February 12th
Scottish troops of 1st Canadian Army took Cleve; U.S. 3rd Army captured Prum. Red Army stormed Bunzlau on Bober River; captured Bielsko (Poland). Treaty between Greek Government and E.A.M. Three Power statement issued from Yalta.
February 13th
R.A.F. by night heavily attacked Dresden twice. Last resistance ceased in Budapest. In Central Burma 19th Indian Division took Singu 40 miles North of Mandalay.
February 14th
R.A.F. made severe double attack on Chemnitz (night). 1st White Russian Army captured Schneidemuhl (Pomerania). Announced in Melbourne that over 200 R.A.A.F. Morotai based Kittyhawks and Beau fighters had destroyed Japanese base of Tohohon (N Celebes) in attacks over five days. Capture of Pagan (Burma). Mr Churchill arrived in Athens with Mr Eden and Field Marshal Alexander.
February 15th
Scottish troops established bridge head over Niers River at Kessel. U.S.A. 8th A. F. heavily bombed Kottbus. 2nd White Russian Army captured Konitz and Tuchola (West Poland). Tito’s forces freed Mostar, capital of Herzegovina. Chinese troops took Kutkai 48 miles North of Lashio. U.S. forces completed capture of Bataan Peninsula.
February 16th
Red Army forces under Marshals Koniev and Zhukov linked up at Grunberg (Silesia). Powerful U.S. force of carrier based bombers attacked Tokyo and Yokohama; U.S. naval units bombarded Iwo Jima and Bonin Islands.
February 17th
XV Indian Corps landed at Ru-Ywa (Arakan) U.S. carrier based bombers kept up attacks on Toyo region and naval forces bombardment of Iwo Jima. Corregidor (Philippines) captured by U.S. troops.
February 18th
Field Marshal Montgomery told 21st Army Group “We stand ready for the last round” Red Army took Sagan; death in action of General I.D. Chernyakhovsky, commanding 3rd White Russian Army, Russia’s youngest general.
February 18th – 19th
5th Army troops drove enemy from Monte Belvedere (Italy).
February 19th
Marianas based Super Fortresses heavily bombed Tokyo. U.S. forces landed in great strength on Iwo Jima (Volcano Islands).
February 20th
Nuremberg heavily bombed by U.S.A. 8th A.F, U.S.A. 15th A. F. attacked Berchtesgaden Soviet aircraft heavily bombed Breslau, Stettin, and Stargard. Motoyama airfield (Iwo Jima).
February 21st
1st Canadian Army captured Goch. Nuremberg again heavily bombed. Russians took Czersk (N. W. Poland). Red Air Force made mass night raids on Konigsberg.
February 22nd
U.S. 3rd Army completed liberation of Luxemburg. Over 6,000 Allied aircraft attacked some 30 rail centres in Central Germany. Soviets reached the Neisse River below Guben. Over 2,500 aircraft of the M.A.A.F. Bombed communications in Bavaria, Austria and North Italy.
February 23rd
U.S. 1st and 9th Armies attacked across Roer. 1st White Russian Army captured Poznan (Poland). U.S. Marines took Mt Suribachi (Iwo Jima).
February 24th
U.S. 9th Army took Julich. R.A.F. Heavily bombed Berlin (night). Brazilians took Bella Vista and La Serra (Italy). Surrender of Intramuros, last Japanese stronghold at Manila. Egypt declared war on Germany and Japan.
February 25th
U.S. 1st Army completed occupation of Duren; U.S.A. 8th A. F. heavily attacked Munich; by night R.A.F. bombed Berlin. British 2nd Division crossed Irrawaddy near Myinmu (Burma). U.S. carrier based bombers attacked Tokyo – Yokohama area.
February 26th
Canadians launched offensive in Calcar- Udem sector. U.S.A. 8th A. F. heavily attacked Berlin by day; R.A.F. bombed it for the seventh successive night. Syria declared war on Germany and Japan.
February 27th
R.A.F. bombed Berlin again. East Africans captured Ywathit (Burma). With capture of Hill 382, half of Iwo Jima in U.S. hands.
February 28th
U.S. 1st Army crossed Erft river, Canadians captured Calcar. Red Army took Neu-Stettin (Pomerania). Motoyama (Iwo Jima) taken by U.S. forces; last remnants of enemy garrison in Corregidor wiped out. Princess Elizabeth launched H. M. S. “Vanguard" on the Clyde.
