Timeline of World War II (1945) - January 1945

January 1945

1: The Germans begin a surprise offensive Operation Nordwind along the Saar and aimed at retaking Strasbourg.

1: Unternehmen Bodenplatte is launched by the Luftwaffe against western Allied air bases in Belgium and Holland by elements of ten different Jagdgeschwadern (fighter wings), as its last major air offensive of the war in the West.

1: American troops kill dozens of German POWs at Chenogne

2: The Japanese increasingly use kamikaze tactics against the US naval forces nearby.

2: 46 American B-29 bombers based near Calcutta, India attacked a railroad bridge near Bangkok, Thailand and other targets in the area.

3: The Allies take the offensive east of the Bulge but they fail to close the pincers (which might have surrounded large numbers of Germans) with Patton's tanks.

4: US navy air attacks on Formosa (Taiwan)

5: The German offensive "North Wind" crosses the border into Alsace.

5: Japanese retreat across the Irrawaddy River in Burma with General Slim's troops in pursuit.

6: American B-29's bomb Tokyo again.

7: Germans, as part of the plan to retake Strasbourg, break out of the "Colmar Pocket", a bridgehead on the Rhine, and head east.

8: The battle of Strasbourg is underway, with Americans in defence of their recent acquisition.

9: Americans land on Luzon, the central island of the Philippines and there inside by the Philippine Commonwealth troops and recognized guerillas; there are more kamikaze attacks on the American navy.

11: The first convoy moves on the Ledo (or "Stilwell") road in northern Burma, linking India and China.

12: The East Prussian Offensive, a major Red Army offensive in East Prussia, begins on January 13th.

13: 1st Byelorussian Front launched its winter offensive towards Pillkallen, East Prussia, Germany, meeting heavy resistance from the German 3rd Panzer Army.

14: British forces clear the Roer Triangle during Operation Blackcock; it is an area noted for its industrial dams.

15: Hitler is now firmly ensconced in the bunker in Berlin with his companion Eva Braun.

15: The British commander in Athens, General Ronald Scobie, accepts a request for a ceasefire from the Greek People's Liberation Army. This marks the end of the Dekemvriana, resulting in clear defeat for the Greek Left.

16: United States First and Third Armies link up following Battle of the Bulge; Soviet troops meanwhile lay siege to Budapest.

17: Warsaw liberated by Red Army troops. A government favourable to the Communists is installed.

17: It is announced officially that the Battle of the Bulge is at an end.

18: Americans drive on Manila.

20: The Red Army advances into East Prussia. Germans renew the retreat.

20: Franklin D. Roosevelt is sworn in as President (his fourth term); Harry Truman is sworn in as Vice President.

25: American navy bombards Iwo Jima in preparation for invasion.

25: The Allies officially win the Battle of the Bulge.

27: Auschwitz concentration camp is liberated by Soviet troops.

28: The Red Army completes the occupation of Lithuania.

31: Red Army crosses the Oder River into Germany and are now less than 50 miles from Berlin.

31: A second invasion on Luzon by Americans by inside to the Filipino soldiers and guerrilla fighters, this time on the west coast.

31: The whole Burma Road is now opened as the Ledo Road linkage with India is complete.