1945 in History

President Harry S. Truman discloses to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin that the United States has atomic weapons, Stalin feigns little surprise; he already knows this through espionage

President Harry S. Truman discloses to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin that the United States has atomic weapons, Stalin feigns little surprise; he already knows this through espionage

The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

Aircrews of the 509th Composite Group begin arriving on Tinian with specially modified B-29 aircraft.

The Japanese transfer power to the Vietminh & the Emperor is forced to abdicate

Hue reads a declaration handing over "sovereign power" to the Vietminh

Accepts the post of supreme political adviser in the provisional Government

The Emperor abdicate giving Ho Chi Minh the "mandate of heaven"

Accepts the Allied code name Argonaut for the forthcoming Malta and Yalta conference arrangements.

The United States delegation raises no objection to a Soviet proposal placing Poland's eastern frontier on the Curzon Line with five-to-eight-kilometre adjustments.

Agrees to a formula for reorganizing the Soviet-backed Polish provisional government on a broader basis.

Accepts the American proposal for confidential staff discussions concerning the Far Eastern war.

Accepts a compromise under which Ukraine and Byelorussia will be supported for separate United Nations membership.

Appointed Successor to Adolf Hitler

Pushes 21st Army Group rapidly across northern Germany after breaking out from the Rhine bridgehead.

Supports a declaration committing the Allies to consultation and democratic political processes in liberated Europe.

Joins agreement on a statement linking Poland's eastern frontier to the Curzon Line with adjustments.

Agrees with Churchill that journalists should not attend the conference sessions in Crimea.

US Marines deploy to northern Chinese ports to accept Japanese surrender and help prevent immediate Communist occupation before Nationalist troops arrive.

Montgomery & Rokossovsky join together at Wismar

Joins up with the British forces at Wittenberg near Lubeck

Konevs units make contact with Omar Bradleys Twelfth Army

The Allied Control Commission administers Germany after its occupation by the Allies

The Allied Control Commission administers Germany after it's occupation by the Allies

Falls into American custody after Germany's defeat.

Publishes Animal Farm.

Provides Soviet responses to American military questions during the second secret staff meeting.

Joins Churchill and Stalin in approving the Declaration on Liberated Europe.

Approves inviting France to occupy a German zone and join the Allied Control Council.

Agrees to regular meetings of the three foreign ministers, beginning with a session in London.

Agrees that the conference to draft the United Nations Charter will open in the United States on 25 April.

Represents Egypt's government as the Arab League is founded in Cairo.

Represents Egypt as the Arab League is formally established in Cairo.

Supports Saudi Arabia becoming a founding member of the Arab League.

Represents Saudi diplomacy during the creation of the Arab League.

Supports a significant French role in postwar German occupation and control arrangements.

Completes the plan for the defense of Britain

Designated Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

Appointed Commander Army Group South by Hitler in the Fuhrer Bunker

Appointed Commander Army Group South by Hitler in the Fuhrer Bunker

General Gotthard Heinrici is appointed Commander in Chief of Army Group Vistula replacing Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler

The newly created Army Group Vistula, under the command of Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler,attemped a counter-attack but failed by 24 February

Allied forces arrest Jodl with members of the Dönitz government at Flensburg.

Sentenced in his absence by a three-man tribunal of the Soviet security police (NKGB) to an eight-year term in a labour camp, to be followed by permanent internal exile

Captured by Italian partisans

Captured by Italian partisans, Mussolinis mistress

Liberated from Buchenwald by the US 3rd Army

Arrested in the Ruhr by the Allies

Hitler orders von Greim and Reitsch to fly to Doenitzs headquarters at Ploen, Field Marshal von Greim is ordered by Hitler to arrest the "traitor" Himmler

Hitler orders von Greim and Reitsch to fly to Doenitzs headquarters at Ploen, Field Marshal von Greim is ordered by Hitler to arrest the "traitor" Himmler

Arrested by British troops

Hitler orders von Greim and Reitsch to fly to Doenitzs headquarters at Ploen, Field Marshal von Greim is ordered by Hitler to arrest the "traitor" Himmler

The Soviet forces took Weidling into custody as a prisoner of war and flew him to the Soviet Union

Rescued from a POW camp at Prager Wildsee by the British 5th Army

Rescues from a POW camp at Prager Wildsee by the British 5th Army

Arrested by the Americans & tried for war crimes

Captured by American paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division in a shoemaker's house in the village of Schleching

Soviet security authorities arrest sixteen Polish underground leaders invited to talks on implementing the Yalta political settlement.

Groves drafts the directive authorising atomic attacks when bomb availability and weather permit, listing Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata and Nagasaki.

Groves forwards the Manhattan Project target group's recommendations to General George C. Marshall.

Lee entered first grade in the Benbrook Common School on October 31, 1945, with school records showing an incorrect birth date.

The Allied Berlin Declaration abolishes all the institutions of German civil Government, and establishes that the constitution no longer holds any legal force

General der Artillerie Helmuth Weidling is appointed commander of the Berlin Defence Area

Allied bombing of Dresden leaves 25,000 dead

Allied bombing of Dresden leaves 25,000 dead

Dies when the uranium bomb destroys Hiroshima.

The USA drops a plutonium bomb on Hiroshima. More than 10 sqr miles are obliterated & 137,000 killed

The Us drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima

A co-pilot on the Enola gay which drops the "little boy" a-bomb on Hiroshima

"Little Boy", a gun-type uranium-235 weapon, is used against the city of Hiroshima, Japan

"Little Boy", a gun-type uranium-235 weapon, is used against the city of Hiroshima, Japan

Commands US strategic air forces using the uranium weapon.

Flies the "Enola Gay" which drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima

Pilots Enola Gay during the uranium bomb attack.

Decides to drop the A-bomb on Hiroshima

"Little Boy" is loaded onto the Enola Gay

"Little Boy", a gun-type uranium-235 weapon, is used against the city of Hiroshima, Japan

Authorises the use of atomic weapons against Japan.

Second meeting of the Target Committee, at Los Alamos, which works to finalize the list of cities on which atomic bombs may be dropped

General Carl Spaatz is ordered to bomb one of the targets: Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata, or Nagasaki as soon as weather permitted, some time after August 3

General Carl Spaatz is ordered to bomb one of the targets: Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata, or Nagasaki as soon as weather permitted, some time after August 3

General Carl Spaatz is ordered to bomb one of the targets: Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata, or Nagasaki as soon as weather permitted, some time after August 3

The USA drops the atomic bomb on Nagasaki, over 73,000 are killed

The USA drops the atomic bomb on Nagasaki

"Fat Man", an implosion-type plutonium-239 weapon, is used against the city of Nagasaki, Japan

The USA drops the atomic bomb on Nagasaki

"Fat Man", an implosion-type plutonium-239 weapon, is used against the city of Nagasaki, Japan

The USA bombs Tokyo, 200,000 are killed

2 million have been made homeless in Tokyo

Soviet forces capture Bratislava from German control.

A British revised formula states that Poland's eastern frontier should follow the Curzon Line with local adjustments of five to eight kilometres in Poland's favour.

Hirohito broadcasts a radio message telling the people that Japan will surrender

Liberated from Buchenwald by the US 3rd Army

The bodies of Hitler & Eva Braun are taken into the Chancellery garden & burnt

Brauns remains are discovered by the Russians & secretly buried at the SMERSH compound

Hitler & Eva Brauns bodies are taken into the Chancellery garden & burnt

Shoots himself in woods near Rattingen, buried where he had shot himself under an oak

Buried among the soldiers who died in the Battle of the Bulger

Reports to the British Cabinet on the principal agreements reached at the Big Three conference in Crimea.

With Zhukov shares the honour of capturing Berlin

Russian troops reach the suburbs of Berlin

The Red Army hoists the Red Flag over the Reichstag in Berlin

Berlin surrenders to the Soviet Army

Berlin falls to the Allies

Directs the capture of Berlin

Britsh, American & Canadian troops capture Cologne

The Allies capture Cologne & cross the Rhine

The first Vietminh troops enter Hanoi

The Russians occupy Harbin in Manchuria

The US recapture Corregidor

The Russians occupy Mukden in Manchuria

Captures Munich

Captures Nuremburg

US troops land on Okinawa Island

The Allies capture the Remagen Bridge, still intact, just South of Bonn

Commands Combat Command B of the US 9th Armored Div which captures the Remagen bridge

Reaches the Oder-Neisse line

Reaches the Oder-Neisse line

Soviet forces take Vienna

Appointed Chancellor of Austria

Appointed Chancellor of Austria by the Soviet forces

The international military tribunal charter lists 24 suspected war criminals

Witnesses the signing of the charter of the United Nations

Witnesses the signing of the charter of the United Nations

Churchill appeals to Stalin not to unilaterally impose Russian rule on Yugoslavia. Churchill appeals to Stalin not to unilaterally impose Russian rule on Poland

Churchill appeals to Stalin not to unilaterally impose Russian rule on Yugoslavia. Churchill appeals to Stalin not to unilaterally impose Russian rule on Poland

Accompanies Churchill during a visit to troops after the successful Rhine crossings.

Asks Attlee and Sinclair to remain in the Coalition until the defeat of Japan; the offer is rejected

Joins military planning on occupation zones, strategic bombing liaison and estimates for the end of the German war.

Appointed Commander in Chief, West

Appointed Commander in Chief, West

Appointed Commander of the 15th Army

Appointed Commander of the 15th Army

Appointed Commander of the Army Group North

Appointed Commander of the Army Group North

Appointed Commander Army Group South by Hitler in the Fuhrer Bunker

Appointed Commander Army Group South by Hitler in the Fuhrer Bunker

Appointed Commander of Army Group Vistula

Appointed Commander of Army Group Vistula

Hitler appoints Weidling as the Commander of the Berlin Defence Area. Weidling replaces Lieutenant General (Generalleutnant) Helmuth Reymann, Colonel (Oberst) Ernst Kaether, and Hitler himself

Helmuth Weidling is appointed Commander of the Berlin Defence Area

Appointed Commander of the German Central Zone including Berlin

Appointed Commander of the German Central Zone including Berlin

Appointed Commander of the 1st Panzer Army

Appointed Commander of the 1st Panzer Army

Defends the Yalta agreements during a House of Commons debate that ends with a vote of confidence.

Broadcasts a victory message to the nation & commonwealth at 9.00 p.m

Sends Churchill final travel arrangements for moving from the Malta talks to the Crimea conference.

The British will take the south & Chinese nationalists the north of Vietnam. The Allied leaders divide Vietnam at the 16th parallel

Soviet power in Eastern Europe is recognized. Polands western frontier will follow the Oder-Neisse line. Germany will divided into 4 zones. Churchill, Stalin & Truman agree the map for post war Europe

Establishes a provisional Government with the aid of the Russian liberation forces

In Hitler's 1945 political testament he appoints Admiral Karl Doenitz to succeed him, but he names Doenitz as President, not Fuhrer, thereby re-establishing a constitutional office which had lain dormant since Hindenburgs death in 1934

The Allied Berlin Declaration abolishes all the institutions of German civil Government, and establishes that the constitution no longer holds any legal force

Hitler commits suicide and is briefly succeeded as Chancellor by Joseph Goebbels, as dictated in Hitler's Last Will and Testament

In Hitler's 1945 political testament he appoints Admiral Karl Doenitz to succeed him, but he names Doenitz as President, not Fuhrer, thereby re-establishing a constitutional office which had lain dormant since Hindenburgs death in 1934. Hitler commits suicide and is briefly succeeded as Chancellor by Joseph Goebbels, as dictated in Hitler's Last Will and Testament

Opening day of the Allied Control Commission for German administration

Issues the Fuero de los Espanoles, a charter of rights

The Democratic Republic of Vietnam is proclaimed. Hue reads a declaration handing over "sovereign power" to the Vietminh

Accepts the post of supreme political adviser in the provisional Government

The Emperor abdicate giving Ho Chi Minh the "mandate of heaven"

Proclaims the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Cho supports a major Japanese counteroffensive that leaves the Thirty-Second Army weakened after costly attacks on American lines.

Visits Dachau shortly after Allied forces liberate the concentration camp.

Hirohito announces his decision to accept the Allied terms, breaking the continuing deadlock within Japan's leadership.

The US, Britain & Nationalist China calls for unconditional Japanese surrender

The US & Britain & Nationalist China threaten Japan with "prompt & utter destruction". The US, Britain & Nationalist China calls for unconditional Japanese surrender. Japan ignores the request for uncondional surrender, unaware of the US the atomic bomb

USA & Britain demand Japans unconditional surrender or "prompt & utter destruction"

USA, Britain & Nationalist China calls for unconditional Japanese surrender. The US, Britain & Nationalist China calls for unconditional Japanese surrender

Issues "Directive no 1" to march the PLA into former Japanese territory

Russia declares war on Japan

Russia declares war on Japan

Stalin secretly agrees with Roosevelt & Churchill to fight Japan after German defeat

Russia declares war on Japan. Rusiia declares war on Japan

With the Peoples Liberation Army declares war against Chiang Kaishek

Supports the Declaration on Liberated Europe, which commits the Allies to democratic political processes in liberated states.

Hitler announces a scorched earth policy

Draws a line from Edinburgh to the Medway & Bristol to London of ditches & "pillboxes"

Stalin argues that the Curzon Line was devised by non-Russian Allied statesmen on ethnographic grounds and says he cannot retreat substantially from it.

Yahara's operational planning emphasizes defense in depth, conservation of forces, and attritional fighting in southern Okinawa.

Kuribayashi holds much of his fire until American Marines are ashore, then opens a coordinated defense from concealed positions.

Ushijima allows the American landing to proceed largely unopposed while preserving his main forces in fortified southern positions.

Ota's naval base force defends the Oroku Peninsula after American Marines begin operations against the position.

Denounces the neutrality pact with Japan signed Thirteenth April

Deposed by Lao Issara nationalists after refusing to endorse their full program

Komura commands the destroyer screen accompanying Yamato and Yahagi on Operation Ten-Go.

Roosevelts Ambassador to the USSR Averell Harriman cabled Roosevelt that "we must come clearly to realize that the Soviet program is the establishment of totalitarianism, ending personal liberty and democracy as we know it." Two days later, Roosevelt began to admit that his view of Stalin had been excessively optimistic and that "Averell is right."

Japan & the US begin negotiations to settle their differences

Participates in staff talks on airfields, strategic bombing and operational liaison with Soviet forces.

Discusses France's postwar role with Roosevelt during their first bilateral Yalta meeting.

Reviews proposals for a French occupation zone and French membership on Germany's control machinery.

Reviews Allied troops, oil concessions and diplomatic policy toward Iran with Stettinius and Molotov.

Participates in agreement that the foreign ministers will later consider Soviet proposals on the Turkish Straits convention.

Agrees that the three foreign ministers should meet periodically after the conference.

Reviews proposed trusteeship arrangements for mandates, former enemy territories and territories voluntarily placed under trusteeship.

Discusses possible international trusteeship arrangements for Korea during his bilateral meeting with Stalin.

Discusses membership, timing and location for the conference that will draft the United Nations Charter.

Reviews Yugoslav issues and Allied control arrangements in Bulgaria and Hungary with the other foreign ministers.

Supports British amendments concerning the proposed Yugoslav political settlement.

Discusses referring the question of German dismemberment to the European Advisory Commission.

Stripped of all offices by Hitler after asking if he could succeed

Dismissed for failing to check the Red Armys advance on Berlin

The Nationalists and Communists conclude the Double Tenth Agreement after negotiations between Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong in Chongqing.

Drafts conditions concerning Mongolia, Sakhalin, Port Arthur, Dairen and Manchurian railways for Soviet entry against Japan.

Frisch's Dragon experiment produces the first assembly made prompt critical by neutrons alone, using uranium hydride at Los Alamos.

After Hitler's death, Jodl serves as a senior military adviser to the government headed by Karl Dönitz.

The Russians on the eastern front reach the River Oder

John Lennon starts at Doverdale Primary School

And after the camp is liberated by the Russians in May 1945, becomes the Jewish figure head as the Elder of the Jews

Leads Labour to a landslide general election victory.

Formally elected to his 2nd term as President

Holds Japans 1st post war election

Secures an overwhelming Majority in the General Election

General election outcome recorded for Josip Broz Tito: Secures an overwhelming Majority in the General Election

Government context for this general election: Secures an overwhelming Majority in the General Election

Promises a comprehensive health service in Labour's programme.

The First Einar Gerhardsen Government ends in Oslo, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Norway.

The Hubert Pierlot Government ends in Brussels, concluding this period as Prime Minister of Belgium.

The Johan Nygaardsvold Government ends in Oslo, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Norway.

The Second Buhl Government ends in Copenhagen, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Denmark.

Remains in Hut 8 through the end of the European war, continuing work on German Naval Enigma.

Tibbets names B-29 number 82 Enola Gay and receives final confirmation for the Hiroshima mission scheduled for the next day.

35,000 die in the 1st 2 months of 1945

Hitler evacuates his HQ at Adlershorst

Executed after being found guilty by a Peoples Court

Execution of Joseph Kramer

Shot by a firing squad for high treason

Mussolini, his mistress & members of his entourage are shot by Italian partisans. Captured & shot by Italian partisans while attempting to escape to Switzerland

Mussolinis body is displayed in Milan

Executed by Italian partisans, Mussolinis mistress

Surrenders to the newly restored Norwegian Government then tried & executed

Executed for war crimes, 4th anniversary of Pearl Harbour

Flown to Spain a few days before the German surrender, Franco has Laval arrested and turned over to the Americans in Austria who extradite him to the French authorities in July

Returns to Korea after 33 yrs in exile

Flees from the bunker & escapes to Bavaria

Surrenders to the Americans & allowed to continue his research in the USA

Discusses air bases, supply routes and strategic cooperation in the Far East with Stalin.

Secures Allied agreement to Soviet interests in southern Sakhalin, the Kurile Islands, Port Arthur and Manchurian railways.

Ushijima sends a farewell message and orders remaining Japanese troops to continue resistance as the battle approaches its end.

"Fat Man", an implosion-type plutonium-239 weapon, is used against the city of Nagasaki, Japan

"Fat Man", an implosion-type plutonium-239 weapon, is used against the city of Nagasaki, Japan

"Fat Man", an implosion-type plutonium-239 weapon, is used against the city of Nagasaki, Japan

Fat Man bomb cases arrive on Tinian and assembly of the plutonium implosion weapon begins.

Appointed Federal Vice Chancellor

Kuribayashi's remaining troops launch a final attack near the northern end of Iwo Jima before organized resistance ends.

Ichimaru dies during the final phase of organized Japanese resistance on Iwo Jima.

Reviews final protocol language on the United Nations, Iran, Yugoslavia and the Turkish Straits.

Ugaki flies on a final special-attack mission after the imperial surrender broadcast and is killed.

Ugaki's command launches the tenth and final massed Kikusui attack as the Okinawa campaign reaches its conclusion.

A senior design meeting fixes the plutonium bomb approach around a solid core, explosive lenses, electric detonators and a modulated neutron initiator.

Signs a letter drafted by Leo Szilard seeking a presidential meeting on nuclear policy; Roosevelt dies before receiving it.

Works with Eden and Molotov on invitations and preparations for the United Nations conference.

Takes part in secret American-Soviet military talks focused on operational problems in the Far East.

Begins the First and Second Van Acker Governments in Brussels and serves as Prime Minister of Belgium.

President Harry S. Truman discloses to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin that the United States has atomic weapons, Stalin feigns little surprise; he already knows this through espionage

President Harry S. Truman discloses to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin that the United States has atomic weapons, Stalin feigns little surprise; he already knows this through espionage

Begins the First Einar Gerhardsen Government in Oslo and serves as Prime Minister of Norway.

Truman learns of the secret atomic-bomb development programme from Secretary of War Henry Stimson shortly after becoming president.

The joint work of the scientists at Los Alamos resulted in the first artificial nuclear explosion near Alamogordo on July 16, 1945, the site of which Oppenheimer named "Trinity". The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

Takes part in the first plenary session, which concentrates on the military situation in Europe.

Forms Cambodia's first modern cabinet and serves as Prime Minister

Doenitz forms what becomes known as the Flensburg Government, which controlled only a tiny area of Germany near the Danish border, including the town of Flensburg

Dissolved by the Allies

Discusses Germany's postwar treatment and economic questions with Stettinius and Molotov.

Reviews economic questions concerning defeated Germany during the foreign ministers' luncheon.

Participates in renewed debate over the composition and frontiers of postwar Poland.

Franck's committee issues a report urging international control of atomic energy and recommending a demonstration before combat use.

Hitler moves into the Fuhrerbunker, he is joined by his senior staff, Martin Bormann, and later, Eva Braun and Joseph Goebbels with Magda and their six children who took residence in the upper Vorbunker

Hitler's secretaries include Traudl Junge a nurse named Erna Flegel and telephonist Rochus Misch

Hitler moves into the Fuhrerbunker, he is joined by his senior staff, Martin Bormann, and later, Eva Braun and Joseph Goebbels with Magda and their six children who took residence in the upper Vorbunker

The Red Army start the Battle of Berlin by attacking German front line positions on the rivers Oder and Neisse

Soviet spearheads had break through the German lines and start to encircle Berlin

On his birthday Hitler makes his last trip to the surface to award Iron Crosses to some boy soldiers of the Hitler Youth

Declares that the war is lost, he blames the generals and announces that he will stay on in Berlin until the end and then kill himself

Hitler's secretaries include Traudl Junge a nurse named Erna Flegel and telephonist Rochus Misch

Hitler's secretaries include Traudl Junge a nurse named Erna Flegel and telephonist Rochus Misch

Truman orders that no additional atomic bombs be used without further presidential authority.

The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

Assembly of the Trinity device, known as Gadget, begins as components are prepared for transfer to the test tower.

Gadget is hoisted to the top of the 100-foot Trinity test tower and its detonators are installed and connected.

Appointed General Secretary of the Arab League

Hodges is promoted to general making him only the second man, behind Walter Krueger, to rise to full General from enlisted private

Hodges is promoted to general making him only the second man, behind Walter Krueger, to rise to full General from enlisted private

Helmuth Weidling is appointed Commander of the Berlin Defence Area

Retains Ebbw Vale as Labour wins nationally.

Wins the newly created Coventry East constituency at the Labour general election victory.

Retains Wakefield for Labour in the general election that brings Clement Attlee to power.

Secures an overwhelming Majority in the General Election

Wins the newly created Coventry East constituency at the Labour general election victory.

Healey contests Pudsey and Otley for Labour, substantially increasing the party vote but failing to win the seat.

General election outcome recorded for Richard Howard Stafford Crossman: Wins the newly created Coventry East constituency at the Labour general election victory.

Government context for this general election: Wins the newly created Coventry East constituency at the Labour general election victory.

Jodl argues that Germany should not renounce the Geneva Convention because doing so would bring greater disadvantages.

The Reims surrender requires German military operations to cease at 23:01 Central European Time.

Receives German officers seeking terms for forces facing 21st Army Group in northern Germany and nearby areas.

Accepts the post of supreme political adviser in the provisional Government

Forms a new Cabinet & orders an unconditional surrender

Heads a new coalition of Christian Democrats, Democratic Socialists & Republicans

Forms a pro-Soviet Government

Russia establishes a provisional coaltion Government with Renner as Prime Minister

Kerensky records his position on government defence in exile.

His government ends in Helsinki, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Finland.

Groza forms a Soviet-backed government under intense external pressure.

Schenk concludes that Hitler will be a cripple within a year

Concludes that Hitler will be a cripple within a year

The United States drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first wartime use of a nuclear weapon.

Measures effects from the uranium bomb mission.

Appointed Hitler's Doctor

A witness to the last will and testament of Adolf Hitler

A witness to the last will and testament of Adolf Hitler

It was dictated by Adolf Hitler to his secretary Traudl Junge in his Berlin Fuhrerbunker on 29 April 1945, the day he and Eva Braun married.

This record states: The last will and testament of Adolf Hitler was prompted by Hitler receiving a telegram from Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring asking for confirmation of Goring's succession.

This record states: combined with news of Heinrich Himmler's attempted negotiations of surrender with the western Allies, and reports that Red Army troops were within a block or two of the Reich Chancellery.

It was dictated by Adolf Hitler to his secretary Traudl Junge in his Berlin Fuhrerbunker on 29 April 1945, the day he and Eva Braun married.

This record states: The last will and testament of Adolf Hitler was prompted by Hitler receiving a telegram from Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring asking for confirmation of Goring's succession.

This record states: combined with news of Heinrich Himmler's attempted negotiations of surrender with the western Allies, and reports that Red Army troops were within a block or two of the Reich Chancellery.

Appointed Home Secretary

Appointed Home Secretary

Takes responsibility for housing as Minister of Health.

Frisch confirms through criticality measurements that the planned implosion-core design is satisfactory.

Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon serves as a senior INA officer during the final fighting and withdrawal in Burma.

Prem Kumar Sahgal serves with INA forces during the retreat from Burma as the Allied advance breaks the Japanese-INA campaign.

Promises India independence

Promises India independence

Proclaims Indonesian Independence

Asks Churchill to proclaim a Jewish State, has to wait for a Peace Conference. Asks Churchill to abandon the White Paper of 1939

Proclaims independence within the Japanese Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere

Enter Hanoi & declares independence. Arrives in a Vietminh dominated Hanoi

Proclaims the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Japan surrenders to the Allies & Ho declares independence

Villarroel's government convenes Bolivia's first national Indigenous congress.

The Interim Committee recommends using the atomic bomb against Japan as soon as possible, on a military-industrial target and without prior warning.

On March 11, Roosevelt responded to Churchill, writing, "I most certainly agree that we must stand firm on a correct interpretation of the Crimean decision.

Elements of the 3rd Army reach Czech

US troops in Germany cross the River Rhine at Nierstein & Oppenheim

Hitler evacuates his HQ at Adlershorst

Hitler transfer his HQ to Berlin, he stays there

Russian forces reach Germany for the 1st time

The Russians on the eastern front reach the River Oder

Nehrings priority is to surrender to the west rather than the Russians

Crosses the Rhine at Worms

The 3rd Army crosses the Rhine & establishes its 1st bridgehead

American & Russian troops link forces at the River Elbe

The Red flag is raised over the Reichstag

The Allies prepare for the land invasion of Japan, the plan is scrapped

Appointed Commander of the Army forces against Japan

Russia invades Manchuria

Russia invades Manchuria

Russian troops cross the Polish border

Leads the Russian movement into Poland

Russian troops cross the Polish border

Chinese troops move down to the 16th parallel, as agreed with the Allies

With Allied leaders in Potsdam when he hears news of the succesful test explosion. Sees the atomic bomb as a means of delivering peace to the world

With Allied leaders in Potsdam when he hears news of the succesful test explosion

Japan offers Russia concessions for a non-aggression pact

Japan offers Russia concessions for a non-aggression pact

Sihanouk's wartime government ends after Japan's defeat and the French return

Nationalist China formally receives the surrender of Japanese forces in the China theater at Nanjing.

Asks Churchill to proclaim a Jewish State, has to wait for a Peace Conference

Appointed Junior Commander in the ATS

K-25 begins production of enriched uranium using gaseous diffusion.

Sentenced in his absence by a three-man tribunal of the Soviet security police (NKGB) to an eight-year term in a labour camp, to be followed by permanent internal exile

Ugaki directs massed naval kamikaze operations as the first Kikusui attack strikes American forces off Okinawa.

Directs Kolberg, one of the last major Nazi-era productions.

Approves the programme for the restored state.

Begins the Kristensen Government in Copenhagen and serves as Prime Minister of Denmark.

Stimson rules out Kyoto as an atomic-bomb target because of its cultural and historical importance.

Forms a Labour government committed to welfare reform.

Joins the Lao Issara government after the declaration of independence

Leads the Lao Issara movement declaring Lao independence

Joins the Lao Issara movement after returning from Vietnam

Joins late-night negotiations that produce an agreed formula on the future Polish government.

The Allies liberate Bergen-Belsen

The Allies liberate Bergen-Belsen

Arranges for photograps of Buchenwald camp victims to be circulated around the Cabinet

Liberates Buchenwald concentration camp

The Allies liberate Dachau

The Allies liberate Dachau

Enters Czechoslovakia & liberates Prague

Arms the uranium weapon used at Hiroshima.

"Little Boy", a gun-type uranium-235 weapon, is used against the city of Hiroshima, Japan

Final assembly of Little Boy is completed on Tinian and the weapon is ready for combat use.

Little Boy bomb units and the uranium projectile leave San Francisco aboard USS Indianapolis for Tinian.

Casting of the uranium-235 projectile component for Little Boy is completed.

Is appointed Lord Privy Seal in Clement Attlee’s Labour government.

Hara survives the sinking of Yahagi after repeated American carrier-aircraft attacks during Operation Ten-Go.

Aruga orders Yamato abandoned after uncontrollable flooding and remains aboard when the battleship capsizes and explodes.

This record states: Churchill argued to Roosevelt that it was "as plain as a pike staff" that Moscows tactics were to drag out the period for holding free elections "while the Lublin Committee consolidate their power."

This record states: The Soviet Peoples Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD) arrested 16 Polish opposition political leaders that had been invited to participate in provisional Government negotiations.

This record states: The arrests were part of a trick employed by the NKVD, which flew the leaders to Moscow for a later show trial followed by sentencing to a gulag.

This record states: Churchill argued to Roosevelt that it was "as plain as a pike staff" that Moscows tactics were to drag out the period for holding free elections "while the Lublin Committee consolidate their power."

This record states: The Soviet Peoples Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD) arrested 16 Polish opposition political leaders that had been invited to participate in provisional Government negotiations.

This record states: The arrests were part of a trick employed by the NKVD, which flew the leaders to Moscow for a later show trial followed by sentencing to a gulag.

Hitler summons Field Marshall Robert Ritter von Greim from Munich to Berlin to take over command of the Luftwaffe from Goering

Hitler summons Greim to Berlin to take command of the Luftwaffe from Goering

Hitler summons Field Marshall Robert Ritter von Greim from Munich to Berlin to take over command of the Luftwaffe from Goering

Meets Churchill privately for lunch as negotiations over Germany, Poland and the United Nations continue.

Accepts the unconditional surrender of German forces in the Netherlands, north-west Germany and Denmark.

Begins contributing to Commons debates, including discussion of British policy toward Greece.

Reviews Allied military planning with Roosevelt and the Combined Chiefs of Staff before Yalta.

Meets Anthony Eden to coordinate diplomatic issues before the delegations continue to Yalta.

Takes part in pre-Yalta foreign-minister discussions aboard HMS Sirius in Grand Harbor.

Meets Churchill for lunch aboard USS Quincy before both leaders travel to meet Stalin.

Oppenheimer resigns as director of Los Alamos, and is succeeded by Norris Bradbury

Oppenheimer resigns as director of Los Alamos, and is succeeded by Norris Bradbury

General Leslie Groves had commissioned Smyth to write the Report at Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project

Second meeting of the Target Committee, at Los Alamos, which works to finalize the list of cities on which atomic bombs may be dropped

Second meeting of the Target Committee, at Los Alamos, which works to finalize the list of cities on which atomic bombs may be dropped

The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

The joint work of the scientists at Los Alamos resulted in the first artificial nuclear explosion near Alamogordo on July 16, 1945, the site of which Oppenheimer named "Trinity". The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

Oppenheimer resigns as director of Los Alamos, and is succeeded by Norris Bradbury

Oppenheimer resigns as director of Los Alamos, and is succeeded by Norris Bradbury

The Smyth Report was the common name given to an administrative history written by physicist Henry DeWolf Smyth about the Allied World War II effort to develop the atomic bomb, the Manhattan Project

The Smyth Report was the common name given to an administrative history written by physicist Henry DeWolf Smyth about the Allied World War II effort to develop the atomic bomb, the Manhattan Project

General Leslie Groves had commissioned Smyth to write the Report at Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project

General Carl Spaatz is ordered to bomb one of the targets: Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata, or Nagasaki as soon as weather permitted, some time after August 3

General Carl Spaatz is ordered to bomb one of the targets: Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata, or Nagasaki as soon as weather permitted, some time after August 3

"Little Boy", a gun-type uranium-235 weapon, is used against the city of Hiroshima, Japan

"Fat Man", an implosion-type plutonium-239 weapon, is used against the city of Nagasaki, Japan

General Carl Spaatz is ordered to bomb one of the targets: Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata, or Nagasaki as soon as weather permitted, some time after August 3

General Carl Spaatz is ordered to bomb one of the targets: Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata, or Nagasaki as soon as weather permitted, some time after August 3

President Harry S. Truman discloses to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin that the United States has atomic weapons, Stalin feigns little surprise; he already knows this through espionage

"Fat Man", an implosion-type plutonium-239 weapon, is used against the city of Nagasaki, Japan

The Smyth Report is released to the public, giving the first technical history of the development of the first atomic bombs

"Fat Man", an implosion-type plutonium-239 weapon, is used against the city of Nagasaki, Japan

"Little Boy", a gun-type uranium-235 weapon, is used against the city of Hiroshima, Japan

Healey marries Edna May Edmunds, whom he had met at Oxford before the war.

Marries his mistress Eva Braun in the Bunker

Exceeds his authority & declares martial law in Vietnam

Appeals in vain for calm as French paratroopers go on the rampage in Saigon

Reports on the GI massacre by Nazis in "Stars & Stripes"

Awarded the swords to the oak leaf by Adolf Hitler

Elected Member of Parliament

Elected Member of Parliament for Smethwick in a by-election after Labour's Alfred Dobbs was killed in a car accident one day after winning the seat at the 1945 general election

Appointed Military Govrernor of Bavaria

Appointed Military Govrernor of Bavaria

Becomes Military Governor of the United States occupation zone in Germany after the German surrender.

Ends wartime service with senior army experience that later shapes his public reputation.

Appointed Minister of Health in Attlee's government.

Becomes Minister of Health in Attlee's government.

Joins the first revolutionary government as Minister of Interior

Appointed Minister of the Interior

The Ministry of the Interior is abolished

The US & Soviet troops meet Leckwitz & Torgau on the River Elbe

Konevs units join Zhukov near Vinnitsa threatening the remains of the 1st Panzer Army

The United States drops a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki three days after Hiroshima.

Unanimously confirmed as the president of the republic by the National Assembly

Speaks during debate on the National Insurance Industrial Injuries Bill in the new Labour Parliament.

The Renault company is nationalized after accusations of collaboration during the occupation

Major deposit banks and the Banque de France are brought into public ownership

Ichimaru commands the principal Japanese naval contingent defending Iwo Jima alongside Kuribayashi's army forces.

Japan approaches Russia, as neutrals, to arrange peace but receives no reply

Russia informs Japan it will not renew the Sovietese neutrality pact

Denounces the neutrality pact with Japan signed Thirteenth April

Russia informs Japan it will not renew the Sovietese neutrality pact

Takes responsibility for creating the National Health Service.

Summons 60 comrades to Tran Ho to form the National Liberation Committee

Summons 60 comrades to Tran Ho to form the National Liberation Committee

Publishes Notes on Nationalism.

Witnesses the test nuclear explosion & says, "the war is over"

The USSR announces that it will make its own atomic bomb

The International Military Tribunal indictment names Jodl among the leading German defendants charged with major war crimes.

Jodl appears before the International Military Tribunal as the main Nuremberg trial begins.

Attlee and Truman meet at Potsdam while plans for war crimes trials lead toward the Nuremberg Tribunal

Opens the case for the prosecution of alleged war criminals

Appointed President of the Tibunal

The prosecution enters indictments against 24 major war criminals and six criminal organisations - the leadership of the Nazi party, the Schutzstaffel (SS) and Sicherheitsdienst (SD), the Gestapo, the Sturmabteilung (SA. The International Military Tribunal is opened, in the Supreme Court Building in Berlin, the first session is presided over by the Soviet judge, Nikitchenko

Attlee and Truman meet at Potsdam while plans for war crimes trials lead toward the Nuremberg Tribunal

Asks Eisenhower why the Americans are leaving Berlin to the Russians

Responsible for ordering the occupation of the US controlled part of Germany

A military and civilian alliance overthrew President Isaias Medina Angarita during the October Revolution.

Visits the liberated Ohrdruf concentration camp and urges extensive documentation of Nazi atrocities.

Ushijima authorizes a broad counterattack that fails to break the American positions and causes severe Japanese losses.

Jodl and the OKW Operations Staff move north as the German state collapses under Allied advances.

Opening of the Allied Control Commission by Churchill, Roosevelt & Stalin

Joins Franklin D. Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin as the Yalta Conference opens in Crimea.

The Allies prepare for the land invasion of Japan, the plan is scrapped

The Allies prepare for the land invasion of Japan, the plan is scrapped

Completes the immense artillery, engineering, smoke and logistical preparations for crossing the Rhine.

Launches the 21st Army Group assault across the Rhine at Rees and Wesel.

Ito leads Yamato and its escorts from Tokuyama on the one-way Operation Ten-Go sortie toward Okinawa.

Supports the Rhine crossing with the large British-American airborne assault of Operation Varsity.

21st Army Group opens Operation Veritable to clear German forces from the northern Rhineland.

Leaves office after Labour's general election victory

Anami resists immediate acceptance of Allied terms and supports additional conditions before Japan ends the war.

Kistiakowsky reports that sub-scale tests have achieved the desired symmetrical compression for the implosion system.

Healey’s marriage to fellow Oxford graduate Edna Edmunds begins a partnership lasting until her death.

Parsons meets with Groves and Oppenheimer to finalise arrangements for delivering atomic weapons to the Pacific theatre.

Leads the government during elections boycotted by the Wafd Party.

After Hitler's suicide Goebbels & Bormann make attempt to negotiate with the Russians

Peace negotiations fail & Goebbels decides to commit suicide. After Hitler's suicide Goebbels & Bormann attempt to negotiate with the Russians

Himmler asks Count Bernadotte to convey a peace proposal to US General Dwight David Eisenhowerr

Decides because the navy & army will fight at Okinawa it is not a good time for peace

Meets Mao Zedong in Chongqing for negotiations intended to avert renewed civil war after Japan’s surrender.

Japan approaches Russia, as neutrals, to arrange peace but receives no reply

Stalin reveals Japans request for peace to the USA, issued by Japan in Feb

Fails to persuade Hirohito to make peace

Attends peace talks with Chiang Kaishek in Chongqing

Leaves the peace talks saying "difficulties remained which could be overcome"

Japan askes Russia to mediate peace without unconditional surrender, Stalin refuses

Japan askes Russia to mediate peace without unconditional surrender, Stalin refuses

Watches the Allies cross the Rhine

Molotov signs the Polish-Soviet state frontier treaty establishing the boundary broadly along the Curzon Line with specified deviations in favour of Poland.

The United Kingdom and the USA withdrew support for the legitimate Polish Government in exile, and all its agendas in Poland

Higashikuni becomes prime minister and leads the first Japanese government formed after the surrender announcement.

Uses false identity papers to conceal his senior SS role.

Oppenheimer warns Stimson that atomic weapons will improve, defenses will remain inadequate, and the United States cannot expect a permanent nuclear monopoly.

Attlee and Truman meet at Potsdam while Allied policy for postwar Germany and war crimes trials is discussed

Prague uprising begins against German occupation.

Advances a British proposal concerning Allied policy toward Iran during the foreign ministers' meeting.

Presents the American position on voting procedure in the proposed United Nations Security Council.

Advances Soviet proposals on German reparations and an Allied reparations commission.

Appointed President of the National Council

Appointed President of Austria, 2nd term

Appointed President of Brazil

Appointed provisional President of Brazil after the deposition of Getulio Vargas

Appointed President of Czechoslovakia. After the Prague uprising at the end of World War II, Benes returned home and reassumed his former position as President

Formally elected to his 2nd term as President

Unanimously confirmed as the president of the republic by the National Assembly

Doenitz forms what becomes known as the Flensburg Government, which controlled only a tiny area of Germany near the Danish border, including the town of Flensburg

Appointed President of the Reich & Hitler's successor, on the day of Hitler's death

Appointed President of the Reich & Hitler's successor, on the day of Hitler's death

In Hitler's 1945 political testament he appoints Admiral Karl Doenitz to succeed him, but he names Doenitz as President, not Fuhrer, thereby re-establishing a constitutional office which had lain dormant since Hindenburgs death in 1934

Takes office as the second President of Ireland.

Begins a one-year term as President of the Swiss Confederation.

Inaugurated President of the USA

Appointed President of the USA, 33rd President, 1st term

Appointed President of the Revolutionary Government Junta of Venezuela

Appointed President of the National Liberation Committee

Castaneda Castro becomes President after the 1945 election

Presses the Allies to settle principles for extracting reparations from defeated Germany.

Takes office as Prime Minister of Finland and forms a government in Helsinki.

Appointed Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia

Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 1st term

Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 2nd term

Appointed Prime Minister of Italy, 2nd term

Appointed Prime Minister of Japan

Appointed Prime Minister of Japan

Appointed Prime Minister of Japan

Appointed Prime Minister of Japan

Appointed Prime Minister of Norway, 1st term

Appointed Prime Minister of Poland

Appointed Prime Minister of Romania

Takes part in tripartite work on an agreement for liberated prisoners of war and civilians.

Reaches the temporary rank of brigadier after beginning the war as a private soldier.

Togo proposes accepting the Potsdam Declaration while seeking preservation of the imperial institution.

Presents Soviet amendments to the American proposal on the composition of the Polish government.

Offers a British amendment to the draft Declaration on Liberated Europe.

Proposes short talks between Anthony Eden and Edward Stettinius during the Malta preparations.

Suggests an advance meeting of the three foreign ministers before the Big Three conference.

Proposes excluding the press from the conference to protect secrecy and reduce logistical pressure.

Requests a secret meeting between American and Soviet chiefs to discuss possible Soviet participation against Japan.

Accepts the post of supreme political adviser in the provisional Government

Accepts the post of supreme political adviser in the provisional Government

Forced to abicate in favour of a provisional Government under Ho Chi Minh

Establishes a provisional Government with the aid of the Russian liberation forces

Russia establishes a provisional coaltion Government with Renner as Prime Minister

Appointed Provisional President of Panama

Expelled from the Nazi party after trying to seize power

Raises naval and Far Eastern questions during confidential American-Soviet staff discussions.

Presents a British proposal concerning the future Austrian-Yugoslav frontier.

Raises the subject of Iranian oil during the final tripartite luncheon.

Presents British proposals concerning Venezia Giulia and the Yugoslav-Italian frontier.

Churchill states that Britain has consistently supported the Curzon Line, including leaving Lwow to the Soviet Union, while requesting a gesture toward Poland.

Records final plenary revisions to the communiqué and conference protocol.

Starting on 16 January 1945, the Red Army breached through the German front as a result of the Vistula-Oder Offensive and rapidly advanced westward as fast as 30-40 kilometres a day

The Red Army start the Battle of Berlin by attacking German front line positions on the rivers Oder and Neisse

The Red Army hoists the Red Flag over the Reichstag in Berlin

The Red Army begins the Vistula-Oder offensive across the Narew River and, from Warsaw, a three-day operation on a broad front which incorporated four army Fronts

Starting on 16 January 1945, the Red Army breached through the German front as a result of the Vistula-Oder Offensive and rapidly advanced westward as fast as 30-40 kilometres a day

First Land Reform Act

And after the camp is liberated by the Russians in May 1945, becomes the Jewish figure head as the Elder of the Jews

Jodl arrives at SHAEF headquarters and seeks terms that would allow more German forces to surrender in the west.

Takes part in an evening reconsideration of German reparations with Roosevelt and Stalin.

Replies that the United States should insist on a genuine implementation of the Yalta agreement concerning Poland.

Reports arrangements for Roosevelt and the American party to stay in the Yalta area.

Suggests that Generals Eisenhower and Alexander attend Yalta as well as the Malta military discussions.

Emphasizes the importance of Combined Chiefs of Staff discussions at Malta before travelling to Yalta.

Asks Stalin and Churchill to support additional American votes if the United States later seeks them in the General Assembly.

Requests separate United Nations representation for several Soviet republics during the fourth plenary session.

Suzuki resigns as prime minister after the imperial broadcast announces Japan's acceptance of surrender.

Rejects Churchill's offer to continue the Coalition Government

The Government resigns

Approves the Kosice programme for restored Czechoslovakia.

A large German force passes into American rather than Soviet custody at the end of the European war.

The defeat of the Axis in Europe is publicly confirmed in France.

Berlin passes into Soviet control after the city's defenders capitulate.

The unconditional capitulation ends organised German military resistance.

All German armed forces are ordered to cease resistance to the Allies.

Dönitz authorises the general surrender of German forces, ending further organised national resistance.

The German army in Italy ceases resistance, ending the Italian campaign.

German forces in multiple western and southern theatres stop fighting and enter Allied custody.

German formations across several European theatres lay down their arms as the Reich collapses.

German forces in northwest Europe surrender to Montgomery, ending organised resistance across a large northern theatre.

German forces in Prague cease resistance and pass under Soviet control.

The German High Command formally accepts unconditional military surrender.

Victory in Europe Day publicly marks the end of the European war.

Germany's unconditional surrender ends organised German resistance in Europe.

Germany accepts the formal military surrender ending the European war.

The Berlin surrender instrument confirms and ratifies Germany's unconditional capitulation.

Krosigk publicly confirms Germany's capitulation to the Allied powers.

Germany's final surrender instrument confirms the termination of organised military resistance.

The final German capitulation ends the European war.

Germany's final surrender instrument confirms the end of organised German resistance in Europe.

The Berlin instrument confirms the final military surrender of Germany.

German military leaders formally acknowledge defeat in Zhukov's presence.

Himmler's approach reveals fragmentation inside the Nazi leadership but does not produce a separate peace.

Japan's surrender creates a political vacuum in Vietnam that the Viet Minh moves rapidly to fill.

Japan's capitulation ends organised Japanese resistance across the wider Allied command area.

Japan's decision to surrender brings the Pacific War toward its conclusion.

VJ Day celebrations mark the practical end of the war against Japan.

The signed surrender document formally ends Japan's war with the Allied powers.

The emperor publicly announces Japan's decision to surrender.

The imperial broadcast informs the Japanese population that the war will end through surrender.

Japanese representatives receive the detailed Allied procedures for implementing surrender.

The formal ceremony aboard USS Missouri legally records Japan's capitulation.

Japan accepts Allied authority and ends national military resistance.

MacArthur begins implementing procedures for Japan's cessation of hostilities and formal surrender.

MacArthur's arrival establishes the Allied command presence that will oversee Japan's formal surrender and occupation.

MacArthur formally receives Japan's capitulation on behalf of the Allied powers.

Hirohito's intervention breaks the leadership deadlock and commits Japan to surrender.

The United States announces Japan's unconditional surrender and the end of major Pacific hostilities.

Chinese representatives formally receive Japan's capitulation, ending Japanese military authority in China.

Japanese military commands receive imperial authority to cease fighting and surrender.

The Japanese Eighth Army ceases resistance with only a fraction of its original strength remaining.

The Japanese Empire formally accepts Allied terms aboard USS Missouri.

The Japanese government and armed forces accept the formal Allied surrender terms.

Japanese forces in the Philippines formally cease organised resistance.

Kesselring's remaining forces pass into American custody as German resistance collapses.

Yamashita's forces enter American custody, ending his command's resistance in the Philippines.

Returns to Korea after Japanese surrender.

Participates in tripartite military discussion of German forces in Norway and future Allied operations.

Participates in Joint Chiefs discussion of occupation zones in Germany and Soviet participation against Japan.

Joins Joint Chiefs discussion of reciprocal arrangements for prisoners liberated by Allied and Soviet armies.

Reviews unresolved questions concerning Poland, reparations, the United Nations, Iran and Yugoslavia.

Joins the American chiefs in examining military implications of possible Soviet participation in the Pacific war.

Raises practical questions about Allied ships passing through the Turkish Straits on the journey toward Crimea.

Participates in discussion of how major Axis war criminals should be treated after victory.

Reviews proposed action on the United Nations, Germany, Poland, Eastern Europe, Iran and China with advisers.

Advances a revised British proposal on the composition of the postwar Polish government.

Suggests changes to Stalin's draft political conditions for Soviet entry into the Pacific war.

Forced to abicate in favour of a provisional Government under Ho Chi Minh

Romulo Betancourt became chairman of the Revolutionary Government Junta after the October Revolution.

Montgomery's armies secure positions west of the Rhine before preparing the major river assault.

Roosevelt assured Congress that "I come from the Crimea with a firm belief that we have made a start on the road to a world of peace." However, the Western Powers soon realized that Stalin would not honour his promise of free elections for Poland.

Meets Churchill and Stalin as the Yalta Conference begins at Livadia Palace.

USA., Britain, Russia & France declare supreme authority over Germany

USA, Britain, Russia & France declare supreme authority over Germany

USA., Britain, Russia & France declare supreme authority over Germany

Churchill appeals to Stalin not to unilaterally impose Russian rule on Poland

The United Kingdom and the USA withdrew support for the legitimate Polish Government in exile, and all its agendas in Poland

Russia informs Japan it will not renew the Sovietese neutrality pact

Russia informs Japan it will not renew the Sovietese neutrality pact

The Interim Committee's Scientific Panel reports that it sees no technical demonstration likely to end the war and no acceptable alternative to direct military use.

Continues staff discussion with Soviet officers on air cooperation, facilities and operational liaison.

Begins the Second Buhl Government in Copenhagen and serves as Prime Minister of Denmark.

Begins the Second Einar Gerhardsen Government in Oslo and serves as Prime Minister of Norway.

Begins the Second Fierlinger Government in Prague and serves as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia.

Participates in debate over German dismemberment, occupation zones, France and reparations.

Appointed Minister of Agriculture

Supports French participation in the Allied Control Council and a French occupation zone in Germany.

Secures acceptance of the American formula for voting in the future United Nations Security Council.

Plans for Harry Hopkins to visit Britain before the Malta and Yalta meetings.

Confirms expected arrival dates for the preliminary Malta talks and the subsequent Crimea conference.

Helps settle plans for the United Nations conference to open in the United States on 25 April.

Heinrici rejects Hitler's command to hold Berlin at all costs & is relieved of his command

Commits suicide when the Russians reach Potsdamerplatz a block from the Bunker, 3:30PM

Ordered to bring his forces to halt, might have reached Berlin before the Soviets

1st day of the battle, defends Berlin with 4 Divs, 60,000 men & 50-60 tanks

Hitler transfers forces from the western front to Budapest

Moves his HQ to Gloggau on the Oder to defend it from the Soviet advance

Rendulic is given the task of holding back the Russians who had advanced as far as the Oder

Jodl signs Germany's unconditional military surrender at SHAEF headquarters in Reims at 02:41.

Umezu signs the Instrument of Surrender on behalf of the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters aboard USS Missouri.

Agrees that the Soviet Union will enter the war against Japan after Germany's defeat under specified Far Eastern conditions.

Signs the tripartite protocol governing the initial Allied approach to German reparations.

Signs the protocol establishing principles and machinery for German reparations.

Signs the reparations protocol calling for German payments in kind to Allied countries.

Signs the American-Soviet agreement governing the care and repatriation of liberated prisoners and civilians.

Joins Roosevelt and Stalin in approving the secret Far Eastern agreement on Soviet entry against Japan.

Signs the secret agreement setting conditions for Soviet entry into the war against Japan.

Signs the final Protocol of Proceedings on behalf of the British government.

Signs the Protocol of Proceedings summarizing the principal conclusions reached by the three governments.

Signs the conference Protocol of Proceedings for the United States.

General Leslie Groves had commissioned Smyth to write the Report at Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project

The Smyth Report was the common name given to an administrative history written by physicist Henry DeWolf Smyth about the Allied World War II effort to develop the atomic bomb, the Manhattan Project

The Smyth Report was the common name given to an administrative history written by physicist Henry DeWolf Smyth about the Allied World War II effort to develop the atomic bomb, the Manhattan Project

General Leslie Groves had commissioned Smyth to write the Report at Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project

The Smyth Report is released to the public, giving the first technical history of the development of the first atomic bombs

The Smyth Report is released to the public, giving the first technical history of the development of the first atomic bombs

The Smyth Report was the common name given to an administrative history written by physicist Henry DeWolf Smyth about the Allied World War II effort to develop the atomic bomb, the Manhattan Project. The Smyth Report is released to the public, giving the first technical history of the development of the first atomic bombs

Contests Solihull for Labour at the 1945 general election and is defeated.

Represents the Soviet Union in the opening Yalta discussions with Roosevelt and Churchill.

Signs a Soviet treaty with the Polish provisional government as disputes continue over implementation of the Yalta settlement.

Discusses political conditions under which the Soviet Union would enter the war against Japan.

In response to French violence in Saigon the Vietminh abandon their policy of pacifism

Rules Egypt as the war ends with the Suez Canal still occupied and defended under British military arrangements.

Proposes wording changes to the final conference communiqué during the eighth plenary meeting.

After Hitler's suicide Goebbels & Bormann make attempt to negotiate with the Russians

Death of Eva Braun, commits suicide with Hitler at the Fuhrerbunker

Hitler commits suicide and is briefly succeeded as Chancellor by Joseph Goebbels, as dictated in Hitler's Last Will and Testament

Peace negotiations fail & Goebbels decides to commit suicide. After Hitler's suicide Goebbels & Bormann attempt to negotiate with the Russians

Advises Hitler to remain in the bunker & die in a blinding Gotterdammerung

Bodies of Goebbels, his wife & 5 children are found in a shelter near the Reichstag

Hitler commits suicide and is briefly succeeded as Chancellor by Joseph Goebbels, as dictated in Hitler's Last Will and Testament

Hitler & Eva Braun shoot themselves. Commits suicide when the Russians reach Potsdamerplatz a block from the Bunker, 3:30PM

Shoots himself in woods near Rattingen, buried where he had shot himself under an oak. Death of Otto Moritz Walter Model, commits suicide

Provides cyanide capsules to Hitler. Kills himself by taking a cyanide capsule in the bunker. Death of Ludwig Stumpfegger, suicide

Death of Mitsuru Ushijima, commits ritual suicide during the Battle of Okinawa. Commits ritual suicide

Yonai joins Suzuki and Togo in supporting an end to the war during the leadership crisis after the Soviet attack and Nagasaki bombing.

Roosevelt tells Stalin at Yalta that he generally favours the Curzon Line but asks whether Poland might retain Lwow or nearby oil-producing territory.

Agrees to send a joint message to Tito and Subasic concerning the formation of a Yugoslav government.

Appointed Supreme Commander for Allied Powers

Appointed Supreme Commander of Courland

Appointed Supreme Commander of Courland

Suzuki supports ending the war while the Supreme Council remains divided over acceptance of the Potsdam terms.

Jodl receives authority from Dönitz to sign the unconditional military surrender.

Allied commanders reject German attempts to limit or delay the unconditional surrender.

Shigemitsu leads the Japanese delegation aboard USS Missouri and signs for the Japanese government.

Surrenders 600,000 troops to the Americans rather than the Russians

Makes the official announcement of victory over the Axis powers in Europe at 3 pm

Berlin surrenders to the Soviet Army

Unconditional surrender of all German forces to the Allies

Unconditional surrender of all German forces to the Allies

Authorizes unconditional surrender of all German fighting forces

The German Army on the Italian Front surrenders

German troops in Italy, Austria, Holland & Norway surrender

German troops in Italy, Austria, Holland & Norway surrender

In Europe, the 2First Army Group made its way across The Netherlands, Denmark and Northwest Germany, until on 5 May 1945 its commander, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, accepts the German surrender of all German forces

German forces in Prague surrender to the Soviet Army

The German High Command signs a document of unconditional surrender

Announces "Victory in Europe Day"

Accepts the unconditional surrender of the Germans

Signs act of military surrender to the Allies

Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel signs the final German Instrument of Surrender entering into force at 23:01 Central European Time

Proclaims the capitulation of Germany to the Allies in a national broadcast

Present when Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel signs the final German Instrument of Surrender entering into force at 23:01 Central European Time

German commanders sign unconditional surrender, ends the war in Europe

Present when Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel signs the final German Instrument of Surrender entering into force at 23:01 Central European Time

Present when Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel signs the final German Instrument of Surrender entering into force at 23:01 Central European Time

German military leaders sign documents of surrender in Zhukovs presence

Informed Heinrich Himmler wishes to open his own peace negotiations with the Allies

Japan surrenders to the Allies, creates a power vacuum filled by the Viet Minh

As COS to Mountbatten oversees the surrender of Japan

Hirohito announces the surrender of Japan

The Allies celebrate 15th August as VJ Day

The surrender of Japan is signed

Hirohito announces the surrender of Japan

Hirohito broadcasts a radio message telling the people that Japan will surrender

Japanese emissaries receive terms for Japans surrender from the US

Japan formally surrenders aboard the USS Missouri

Japan surrenders to the Allies

Inititiates action with Japan for the cessation of hostilities

Arrives by plane at Atsugi airodrome to take the formal surrender of Japan

Formally accepts the surrender of Japan on the aircraft-carrier Missouri

The Supreme Council is deadlocked on the question of surrender. Suzuki approaches Hirohito who tells him Japan should surrender

Announces the unconditional surrender of Japan

Formally accepts the surrender of Japan

Issues an Imperial Order directing Japanese forces to surrender

Surrenders the 8th Army with only 13,500 from an original 65,000

Formal surrender of the Japanese Empire aboard the USS Missouri

Signs the surrender on behalf of the Emperor & Japanese Government on USS Missouri

Signs the surrender of the Japanese forces in the Philippines

Surrenders to the Americans

Surrenders to the Americans after belated news of the Emperors death reaches him

Nishi commands the Twenty-Sixth Tank Regiment, whose vehicles are largely employed as fortified firing positions on Iwo Jima.

Second meeting of the Target Committee, at Los Alamos, which works to finalize the list of cities on which atomic bombs may be dropped

The Target Committee holds its first meeting to evaluate potential Japanese targets and the military conditions for atomic-bomb use.

Homi Bhabha founds the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research to build advanced research in physics and related sciences in India.

Commands Viet Minh forces during the August Revolution

The 3rd Army crosses the Rhine & establishes its 1st bridgehead

Elements of the 3rd Army reach Czech

Participates in the third plenary debate over Poland's government and future boundaries.

Leads discussion of the American Security Council voting formula during the third plenary meeting.

The Prime Minister of France is sentenced to death for high treason

Shot by a firing squad for high treason

The Nationalist government signs the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance in Moscow.

Signs the Italian Treaty of unconditional surrender to the Allies

The international military tribunal charter is drawn up with 24 suspect war criminals

Executed after being found guilty by a Peoples Court

Tried for atrocities during the Bataan "Death March". Arrested by the Americans & tried for war crimes

The Prime Minister of France is sentenced to death for high treason

Instructs the creation of an international war tribunal to try Japanese war criminals

Surrenders to the newly restored Norwegian Government then tried & executed. Held responsible for sending over 1,000 Jews to concentration camps

Sentenced in his absence by a three-man tribunal of the Soviet security police (NKGB) to an eight-year term in a labour camp, to be followed by permanent internal exile

The Polish Government Delegates, together with most members of the Council of National Unity and the Commander-in-chief of the Armia Krajowa, were invited by Soviet general Ivan Serov with the agreement of Joseph Stalin to a conference on their eventual entry to the Soviet-backed Provisional Government. They are presented with a warrant of safety, but are arrested in Pruszkow by the NKVD on 27 and 28 March

The Polish Government Delegates, together with most members of the Council of National Unity and the Commander-in-chief of the Armia Krajowa, were invited by Soviet general Ivan Serov with the agreement of Joseph Stalin to a conference on their eventual entry to the Soviet-backed Provisional Government. They are presented with a warrant of safety, but are arrested in Pruszkow by the NKVD on 27 and 28 March

The trial takes place between 18 and 21 June 1945 with foreign press and observers from the United Kingdom and USA present. The date was chosen carefully to be at the same time as a conference on the creation of the Soviet-backed Polish puppet Government was organized

According to international law the trial should not have taken place.

All but one of the defendants were forced to admit to the alleged crimes, and on 21 June the verdict was issued.

General Okulickis witnesses were not allowed to enter the court, which was a violation of Soviet law.

The Soviet Union kidnapped and sentenced a group of citizens of a foreign country whose alleged crimes were committed on a foreign land.

They were deprived of basic human rights and tortured.

The United Kingdom and the USA withdrew support for the legitimate Polish Government in exile, and all its agendas in Poland

The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

Casting of the high-explosive lens components intended for the Trinity device is completed.

The United States conducts the Trinity test, the first detonation of a nuclear explosive device.

The Trinity team detonates about 108 tons of TNT containing reactor fission products to calibrate instruments for the coming nuclear test.

Discusses bomb-line arrangements and coordination between Western and Soviet forces advancing into Germany.

Discusses how smaller states should be represented in the postwar international organization during the evening dinner.

Takes part in military talks on coordinating Allied offensives, liaison and the expected end of the German war.

Truman appoints General Marshall special representitive to China

His forces establish contact with Soviet troops advancing from the east as the European war ends.

The Japanese have to choose "utter devastation or unconditional surrender"

A conference on the proposed world organisation will be summoned for 25th April

Canada signs the United Nations Charter.

Signs the charter on behalf of China, the 1st to sign

Witnesses the signing of the charter of the United Nations. Calls the United Nations "a great instrument for peace & security & human progress in the world"

Signs the United Nations Charter on behalf of Britain

Signs the United Nations Charter for Saudi Arabia.

Attlee's government inherits Britain's obligations as a founding member of the United Nations after the UN Charter is signed in 1945

Attlee's government inherits Britain's obligations as a founding member of the United Nations after the UN Charter is signed in 1945

Supports the Saudi delegation participating in the San Francisco conference.

Frisch completes criticality and zero-yield experiments with uranium-235 needed to confirm weapon-core behaviour.

The Initiator Committee selects the Urchin concept as the most promising neutron initiator for the implosion weapon.

The US liberate Nuremberg & Churchill delivers a tribute to Roosevelt in the Commons

The American delegation proposes using the Curzon Line in northern and central sectors while seeking a southern adjustment that would leave Lwow with Poland.

USA, Britain, Russia & France declare supreme authority over Germany

Makes the announcement of Allied victory over the Axis powers in Europe at 3 p.m

Planned & commanded the capture of Germany until VE-Day

The day that marks victory in Europe for the Allies in World War II, the defining events were the Germans unconditional surrender Eisenhower at Rheims, France, and to the Soviets in Berlin on May 7, President Truman announces victory at 9 AM

Attends the VE Day celebrations in her ATS uniform

Makes the official announcement of victory over the Axis powers in Europe at 3 pm

Broadcasts a victory message to the nation & commonwealth at 9.00 p.m

The day that marks victory in Europe for the Allies in World War II, the defining events were the Germans unconditional surrender Eisenhower at Rheims, France, and to the Soviets in Berlin on May 7, President Truman announces victory at 9 AM. Makes the announcement of Allied victory over the Axis powers in Europe at 3 PM

Broadcasts news of Japan’s surrender and calls for restraint, humane treatment of Japanese civilians and prisoners, and a durable peace.

Crowds gather in Trafalgar Square at the end of war in Europe.

Celebrates the end of war with Japan at a dinner party in Buckingham Palace

Writes Roosevelt expressing alarm about Soviet actions in Poland and urging a firm interpretation of the Yalta settlement.

The German defences are mainly led by Helmuth Weidling and consisted of several depleted, badly equipped, and disorganised Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS divisions, as well as many Volkssturm and Hitler Youth members

Hitler transfers forces from the western front to Budapest

A Raytheon Mark II X-Unit arrives for testing as part of the electrical firing system for the implosion bomb.

Y-12 production rises to roughly 204 grams per day of uranium enriched to about eighty percent uranium-235.

Hara commands light cruiser Yahagi as it accompanies Yamato during Operation Ten-Go.

Attends the opening American Joint Chiefs meeting at Livadia Palace before the first plenary session.

Aruga commands battleship Yamato as it sails with the Surface Special Attack Force toward Okinawa.

Publishes You and the Atomic Bomb.

Birth of Alan James Ball Jr

Birth of Anthony John Selvidge, later known as Tony Kaye, original Yes keyboard player.

Birth of Eric Patrick Clapton

Birth of Helen Mirren, born Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov

Birth of Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister

Birth of Ian McLagan

Birth of Jacqueline du Pre

Birth of Kenneth Robert "Ken" Livingstone

Birth of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

Birth of Nawaz Sharif

Birth of Nawaz Sharif

Birth of Neil Percival Young, later singer songwriter, guitarist and major Canadian rock figure.

Birth of Patricia Boyd

Birth of Who guitarist Pete Townshend.

Birth of Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend

Birth of Rod Stewart

Birth of Roderick David Stewart, later a major British rock and pop singer.

Hitler & Eva Braun shoot themselves

Death of Archibald James Murray

Death of August von Mackensen

Death of Bela Viktor Janos Bartok

Mussolini, his mistress & members of his entourage are shot by Italian partisans

Death of Benito Amilicare Andrea Mussolini, shot by Italian partisans

Mussolinis body is displayed in Milan

Death of Bolivar Buckner at the Battle of Okinawa while inspecting the Eighth Marines

Executed by Italian partisans, Mussolinis mistress

Death of David Lloyd George

Eileen Orwell dies during an operation.

Death of Eva Braun, commits suicide with Hitler at the Fuhrerbunker

Death of Fedor von Bock during an Allied raid on Hamburg

Death of Friedrich Fromm, executed

Death of George Smith Patton

Commits suicide

Cho commits suicide alongside Ushijima at the end of organized Japanese resistance on Okinawa.

Death of Joseph Kramer, executed

Anami commits suicide before Hirohito's surrender broadcast is transmitted to the Japanese public.

Death of Ludwig Stumpfegger, suicide

Ota dies by suicide as organized resistance by his naval base force collapses on the Oroku Peninsula.

Ushijima commits suicide with his chief of staff as organized Japanese resistance on Okinawa ends.

Death of Mitsuru Ushijima, commits ritual suicide during the Battle of Okinawa

Death of Otto Moritz Walter Model, commits suicide

Administers poison to his 6 children & shoots his wife & himself in Hitler's bunker

Death of Peter Dewey, 1st American to die in Vietnam

Death of Pierre Laval, executed

Death of Robert Ley, commits suicide, before the Nuremberg trial begins

Ito cancels the failed Ten-Go mission after catastrophic air attacks and dies aboard Yamato when the battleship sinks.

Death of Stefan Mazurkiewicz

Onishi commits suicide after Japan's surrender, following his central role in organizing naval special-attack operations.

Death of Theodore Roosevelt

Death of Vidkun Quisling, executed

Chuikov, who commanded his army operating in central Berlin, was the first Allied officer to learn about Adolf Hitler's suicide, being informed by General Hans Krebs who had come to Chuikovs headquarters under a white flag

General Weidling finally surrenders with his staff at 06:00 hours, he was taken to see General Vasily Chuikov at 08:23, Weidling agrees to order the citys defenders to surrender to the Soviets

General Weidling had his Chief of Staff, von Dufving, arrange a meeting with General Chuikov. Weidling told the Soviets about the suicides of Hitler and Goebbels, and Chuikov demanded complete capitulation. Accepts the surrender of Berlins forces from General Helmuth Weidling

Hitler summons Field Marshall Robert Ritter von Greim from Munich to Berlin to take over command of the Luftwaffe from Goering

General Gotthard Heinrici is appointed Commander in Chief of Army Group Vistula replacing Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler

The newly created Army Group Vistula, under the command of Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler,attemped a counter-attack but failed by 24 February

Starting on 16 January 1945, the Red Army breached through the German front as a result of the Vistula-Oder Offensive and rapidly advanced westward as fast as 30-40 kilometres a day

The Red Army start the Battle of Berlin by attacking German front line positions on the rivers Oder and Neisse

Soviet spearheads had break through the German lines and start to encircle Berlin

On his birthday Hitler makes his last trip to the surface to award Iron Crosses to some boy soldiers of the Hitler Youth

Declares that the war is lost, he blames the generals and announces that he will stay on in Berlin until the end and then kill himself

The Soviets had consolidated their investment of Berlin and leading Soviet units were probing and penetrating the S-Bahn defensive ring. Hitler summons Field Marshall Robert Ritter von Greim from Munich to Berlin to take over command of the Luftwaffe from Goering

General der Artillerie Helmuth Weidling is appointed commander of the Berlin Defence Area

General Hans Krebs makes his last telephone call from the Fuhrerbunker to Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel Chief of OKW (German Armed Forces High Command) in Fuerstenberg, Krebs tells Keitel that if relief does not arrive within 48 hours all would be lost

At 04:00 hours, in the Fuhrerbunker, Hitler signs his last will and testament and, shortly afterwards, married Eva Braun

The Soviets rapidly advance through the city and reach the city centre, conquering the Reichstag on 30 April after fierce fighting

Marshal Ivan Konevs 1st Ukrainian Front had pushed in the north through the last formations of Army Group Centre

General Hans Krebs makes his last telephone call from the Fuhrerbunker to Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel Chief of OKW (German Armed Forces High Command) in Fuerstenberg, Krebs tells Keitel that if relief does not arrive within 48 hours all would be lost

1st day of the Battle of Berlin with 1,000,000 plus Russians against 60,000 Germans

The US & Russian troops meet at the River Elbe

300,000 Russian soldiers are killed

Berlin surrenders, 17 days after the 1st day of the battle

The German defences are mainly led by Helmuth Weidling and consisted of several depleted, badly equipped, and disorganised Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS divisions, as well as many Volkssturm and Hitler Youth members

Each sector was commanded by a colonel or a general, but most of the colonels and generals had no combat experience. The forces available to Weidling for the citys defence included roughly 45,000 soldiers in several severely depleted German Army and Waffen-SS divisions.

These depleted divisions were supplemented by the Berlin police force, boys in the Hitler Youth, and about 40,000 elderly men of the Home Guard (Volkssturm)

Weidling was ordered by Hitler to defend the city of Berlin. Specifically, he was ordered not to surrender, but to fight to the last man. Weidling organised the defences into eight sectors designated "A" through to "H".

Hitler appoints Weidling as the Commander of the Berlin Defence Area. Weidling replaces Lieutenant General (Generalleutnant) Helmuth Reymann, Colonel (Oberst) Ernst Kaether, and Hitler himself

I have no intentions of wandering around in the woods. I am staying here and I will fall at the head of my troops. You, for your part, will carry on with your defence.".

In the depths of the Bendlerblock, Weidlings staff did not know whether it was day or nigh. Helmuth Weidling is appointed Commander of the Berlin Defence Area

Weidling chose as his base of operations the old army headquarters on the Bendlerstrasse, the "Bendlerblock." This location had well-equipped air-raid shelters and was close to the Reich Chancellery.

Weidling presented Hitler with a detailed proposal for a breakout from Berlin. When Weidling finished, Hitler shook his head and said: "Your proposal is perfectly all right. But what is the point of it all?

By the end of the day on 27 April, Weidling and the forces under his command in Berlin found themselves completely cut off from the rest of Germany

On 29 April, the Soviet Information Bureau announced that troops of the 1st Belorussian Front continued to clear the streets of Berlin, occupied the northwest sector of Charlottenburg as far as Bismarck Street, the west half of Moabit, and the east part of Schoeneberg. Russian troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front occupied Friedenau and Grunewald in northwest Berlin

After Hitler and Brauns suicides, Weidling reached the Fuhrerbunker and was met by Goebbels, Bormann and Krebs. They took him to Hitler's room, where the couple had committed suicide.

Late in the morning of 30 April, with the Soviets less than 500 metres from the bunker, Hitler had a meeting with Weidling, who informed him that the Berlin garrison would probably run out of ammunition that night.

They told him that their bodies had been burned and buried in a shell crater in the Reich Chancellery garden above.

Weidling asked Hitler for permission to break out, a request he had made unsuccessfully before. Hitler did not answer at first, and Weidling went back to his headquarters in the Bendlerblock, where at about 13:00, he received Hitler's permission to try a breakout that night.

Weidling was forced to swear that he would not repeat this news to anybody. The only person in the outside world who was to be informed was Joseph Stalin. An attempt would be made that night to arrange an armistice, and General Krebs would inform the Soviet commander so that he could inform the Kremlin

The meeting between Krebs, who had been sent by Goebbels, and Soviet general Vasily Chuikov ended with no agreement. According to Hitler's personal secretary Traudl Junge, Krebs returned to the bunker complex looking "worn out, exhausted". The surrender of Berlin was thus delayed until Goebbels committed suicide, after which it was left up to Weidling to negotiate with the Soviets

General Weidling finally surrenders with his staff at 06:00 hours, he was taken to see General Vasily Chuikov at 08:23, Weidling agrees to order the citys defenders to surrender to the Soviets

The Soviet forces took Weidling into custody as a prisoner of war and flew him to the Soviet Union. General Weidling had his Chief of Staff, von Dufving, arrange a meeting with General Chuikov. Weidling told the Soviets about the suicides of Hitler and Goebbels, and Chuikov demanded complete capitulation

1st day of the battle, defends Berlin with 4 Divs, 60,000 men & 50-60 tanks

The Red Army begins the Vistula-Oder offensive across the Narew River and, from Warsaw, a three-day operation on a broad front which incorporated four army Fronts

Starting on 16 January 1945, the Red Army breached through the German front as a result of the Vistula-Oder Offensive and rapidly advanced westward as fast as 30-40 kilometres a day

The 1st Belorussian Front led by Marshal Georgy Zhukov starts shelling Berlins city centre

The Soviet 3rd Shock Army crossed the Moltke bridge and started to fan out into the surrounding streets and buildings

The Soviets rapidly advance through the city and reach the city centre, conquering the Reichstag on 30 April after fierce fighting

The Soviets capture the Reich Chancellery

Final day of the Battle of the Bulge, gives way to the Allied advance

Secures a bridgehead over the Elbe, 60 miles west of Berlin

Suicidally chooses to destroy the Intramuros & loses over 16,000 Japanese dead. Manila is isolated from Yamashita main forces. Ignores Yamashitas orders not to defend the city

The Soviets launch an attack on the Baranov Bridgehead & cross the River Oder

Begins landing forces on the island of Okinawa, involves 550,000

The Japanese fortified HQ at Okinawa is discovered

Orders a counterattack which fails & loses 1,000 casualties

Attacks the "Shuri line"

The US forces divide the Japanese garrison into 3 encircled pockets. Makes a broadcast asking the Japanese at Okinawa to surender

Killed while inspecting the Eighth Marines

After 3 months fighting 110,000 Japanese soldiers & 150,000 civilians died

Commands the Japanese defense HQ of 85,000 troops

Takes advantage of bad weather to wihdraw to the south & make a last stand

The US forces divide the Japanese garrison into 3 encircled pockets

Commits ritual suicide

The British cross the Rhine at Wesel

Montgomery & Rokossovsky join together at Wismar

Rundstedt is forbidden to evacuate any city or fortification. Hitler agrees to Rundstedts request to retreat & reconsolidate

Patton crosses the Rhine at Oppenheim

Patton crosses the Rhine at Oppenheim

Patton crosses the Rhine at Oppenheim

The Allies encircle Models Army. Model holds out for 18 days until handing over 300,000 troops. Hitler refuses to let Army Group B withdraw. Hitler orders the destruction of the Ruhr, Model refuses

Weidling prepared to take part in the Battle of the Seelow Heights, which was part of the broader Battle of the Oder-Neisse. Weidlings LVI Panzer Corps was in the centre, flanked by the CI Army Corps to his left and the XI SS Panzer Corps to his right. All three corps were part of General Theodor Busses 9th Army, which was defending the heights above the River Oder

This record states: By 19 April, Schorners Army Group Centre was collapsing, and the position of Army Group Vistula was becoming untenable.

This record states: Heinrici was forced to pull back what was left of his forces, including Weidlings LVI Panzer Corps.

This record states: The defensive line on the Seelow Heights was the last major defensive line outside of Berlin.

This record states: To escape envelopment and total annihilation, Weidling pulled his corps back with the rest of Army Group Vistula.

This record states: With the loss of this position, the road to Berlin lay wide open to the Soviet advance.

Hitler ordered that Weidling be executed by firing squad on receiving a report that he had fled in the face of advancing Soviet forces, which was in defiance of standing orders to the contrary. As such, Weidlings actions required a death sentence. Weidling had not fled, and the sentence was called off when he dramatically appeared at the Fuhrerbunker to clear up the misunderstanding