Each Day in World War II – 4th July

July 4, 1940

French destroyer Mogador during Operation Catapult, 1940

Overview of Key Events

On July 4, 1940, the aftermath of Operation Catapult, particularly the British attack on the Vichy French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir on July 3, dominated events, with diplomatic repercussions unfolding. Germany continued consolidating control over the occupied Channel Islands, completing the occupation of Sark. Italian air raids persisted against Malta, and Luftwaffe activity increased in the prelude to the Battle of Britain. The Soviet Union finalized its annexation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina. In Asia, Japan strengthened its position in China and implemented basing rights in French Indochina. Holocaust-related measures intensified in occupied Poland and Western Europe.

European and Atlantic Theatre

German Occupation of the Channel Islands: On July 4, 1940, German forces from the 216th Infantry Division (under Generalmajor Hermann von Chappuis) completed the occupation of Sark, the final major Channel Island to be secured, following Jersey (July 1) and Guernsey (July 2). After Luftwaffe bombings softened defenses, German troops established garrisons with minimal resistance, as British forces had evacuated under Operation Aerial. Occupation policies, including curfews and requisitions, were enforced across the islands.
Post-Battle of France Consolidation: Following France’s armistice (June 22), German Army Group A (under General Gerd von Rundstedt) and Army Group B (under General Fedor von Bock) solidified control over occupied northern and western France. The 7th Army (under General Friedrich Dollmann) maintained garrisons in cities like Paris, while the Vichy French government (under Marshal Philippe Pétain) expanded collaborationist policies, including anti-Jewish legislation in unoccupied France.
Soviet Occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina: Soviet forces, including the 9th Army (under General Ivan Boldin) and 12th Army, finalized their occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina from Romania, begun on June 28 under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. By July 4, Soviet control was formalized, with Joseph Stalin’s directive strengthening influence in Eastern Europe, straining relations with Germany.
Battle of Britain Prelude: Luftwaffe reconnaissance and probing attacks intensified over southern England, targeting RAF airfields and coastal defenses. On July 4, Kampfgeschwader 1 (Heinkel He 111 bombers) conducted raids, countered by RAF Fighter Command (under Air Marshal Hugh Dowding) with Spitfires and Hurricanes of No. 11 Group. These skirmishes marked the early stages of the Battle of Britain, escalating in July–August.
Holocaust-Related Events: In occupied Poland, the General Government (under Hans Frank) enforced stricter anti-Jewish measures. The Warsaw Ghetto, with over 400,000 Jews, faced increased confinement, forced labor, and severe food shortages (daily rations below 200 calories). In Kraków, ghettoization isolated Jews in overcrowded districts. In occupied France, Nazi authorities expanded Jewish registration, setting the stage for deportations.
Outcomes: The occupation of Sark completed German control of the Channel Islands, a symbolic gain. German dominance in France and Vichy collaboration strengthened Axis power in Western Europe. Soviet annexations expanded Eastern European control, escalating tensions with Germany. Luftwaffe raids set the stage for the Battle of Britain. Holocaust measures intensified persecution, preparing for mass atrocities.

Mediterranean and African Theatre

Aftermath of Operation Catapult (Mers-el-Kébir): Following the British attack on the Vichy French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir, Algeria, on July 3, diplomatic fallout intensified on July 4. The attack by British Force H (under Vice Admiral James Somerville), including HMS Hood, HMS Valiant, and HMS Resolution, had sunk the battleship Bretagne, damaged Dunkerque and Provence, and killed 1,297 French sailors. Vichy France, under Marshal Philippe Pétain, condemned the attack, severing diplomatic relations with Britain on July 4, while the British justified it to prevent the fleet’s use by Germany. The action strained Anglo-French relations but ensured Allied naval supremacy.
Siege of Malta: Italian Regia Aeronautica continued bombing raids on Malta. On July 4, Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 bombers from the 36th Stormo targeted Grand Harbour and RAF airfields like Hal Far, countered by British Gloster Gladiator fighters of No. 33 Squadron.
Outcomes: The Mers-el-Kébir attack secured Allied naval control but deepened Vichy French resentment, complicating relations. Italian raids on Malta caused damage but failed to neutralize its strategic role.

Pacific Theatre

No significant military engagements occurred in the Pacific on July 4, 1940. The U.S. Pacific Fleet (under Admiral James O. Richardson) strengthened defenses at Pearl Harbor, while Japan focused on Asian campaigns and troop deployments to French Indochina.
Outcomes: The Pacific remained a latent theatre, with Japan’s preparations foreshadowing future conflicts in 1941.

Asian Theatre

In China, the Japanese 11th Army (under General Tomoyuki Yamashita) consolidated control in Hubei province after capturing Yichang (June 12), securing the Yangtze River. Chinese 5th War Area forces (under General Li Zongren) conducted guerrilla raids, targeting Japanese supply lines and outposts.
Japan, led by Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka, implemented agreements with Vichy France (finalized late June–early July) for basing rights in French Indochina, deploying troops to prepare for Southeast Asian invasions, including Malaya and the Philippines.
Outcomes: Japanese gains in China strengthened their strategic hold but faced persistent Chinese resistance. Indochina deployments advanced Japan’s expansionist plans, escalating tensions with Western powers.

Key Personalities

Vice Admiral James Somerville: Commanded British Force H at Mers-el-Kébir.
Marshal Philippe Pétain: Led Vichy France, reacting to Mers-el-Kébir.
General Gerd von Rundstedt: Oversaw German occupation of France.
Hans Frank: Directed anti-Jewish policies in occupied Poland.
General Tomoyuki Yamashita: Commanded Japanese forces in China.

July 4, 1941

Ukrainian attacking a Jew during July pogrom, 1941

Overview of Key Events

On July 4, 1941, Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union launched on June 22, saw continued German advances on the Eastern Front, with significant progress in the Baltic states and Ukraine, including massacres of civilians by Einsatzgruppen. In the Mediterranean, Allied forces advanced in the Syria-Lebanon Campaign, weakening Vichy French defences. Holocaust atrocities escalated with executions in occupied Soviet territories and ongoing ghettoization in Poland. In Asia, Japan’s deployment to French Indochina intensified, escalating tensions with Western powers. .

European and Atlantic Theatre

Operation Barbarossa:
- German Army Group North (under Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb) pressed forward after capturing Riga, Latvia, on July 1. On July 4, the 18th Army and 4th Panzer Group (under General Erich Hoepner), including the 1st Panzer Division, advanced toward Pskov, engaging Soviet Northwestern Front (under General Fyodor Kuznetsov) and its 8th Army. Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 1 (Heinkel He 111 bombers) supported the advance, targeting Soviet defenses and airfields.
- Army Group Center (under Field Marshal Fedor von Bock) completed mopping-up operations in the Minsk pocket, capturing over 300,000 Soviet troops of the Western Front (under General Dmitry Pavlov, executed for failures). The 3rd Panzer Group (under General Hermann Hoth) and 2nd Panzer Group (under General Heinz Guderian) prepared to advance toward Smolensk, clashing with Soviet 13th Army.
- Army Group South (under Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt) pushed toward Kiev, with the 6th Army and 1st Panzer Group (under General Ewald von Kleist) engaging Soviet Southwestern Front (under General Mikhail Kirponos) and its 5th Army near Lviv. On July 4, Einsatzgruppe C and Ukrainian collaborators massacred 25 Polish intellectuals, including scientists and writers, in Lviv, targeting the city’s academic community as part of Nazi purges.
Holocaust-Related Events: Einsatzgruppen, under Reinhard Heydrich’s command, intensified mass executions in occupied Soviet territories. In addition to the Lviv massacre, Einsatzgruppe A (under SS-Obersturmbannführer Franz Walter Stahlecker) continued pogroms in Latvia, killing thousands of Jews in early July. In Ukraine, Einsatzgruppe C conducted shootings and synagogue burnings in Lviv, targeting Jewish communities. In occupied Poland, the Warsaw Ghetto, with over 400,000 Jews, faced worsening conditions, including starvation, disease, and forced labor, as SS authorities tightened restrictions.
Outcomes: German advances in the Baltics and Ukraine disrupted Soviet defenses, though resistance persisted. The Lviv massacre and other Einsatzgruppen actions marked a brutal escalation of genocide, targeting both Jews and intellectuals. Soviet losses in the Minsk pocket weakened their Western Front, setting the stage for further German offensives.

Mediterranean and African Theatre

Syria-Lebanon Campaign (Operation Exporter): Allied forces, including Australian 7th Division (under Major General John Lavarack), British 7th Division, Free French 1st Division (under General Paul Legentilhomme), and 5th Indian Brigade, continued advancing after capturing Palmyra (July 1). On July 4, Australian 25th Brigade and Free French units pushed toward Beirut and Homs, engaging Vichy French 6th Foreign Legion and 22nd Algerian Tirailleurs, supported by No. 3 Squadron RAAF (Hawker Hurricanes) and Royal Navy ships like HMS Ajax. The campaign weakened Vichy control, nearing its conclusion in mid-July.
Outcomes: Allied advances in Syria eroded Vichy defenses, securing the Levant and protecting Middle Eastern oil routes.

Pacific Theatre

No significant military engagements occurred in the Pacific on July 4, 1941. The U.S. Pacific Fleet (under Admiral Husband E. Kimmel) strengthened defenses at Pearl Harbor, while Japan focused on consolidating Asian gains and deploying troops to French Indochina.
Outcomes: The Pacific remained a latent theatre, with Japan’s preparations foreshadowing its December 1941 attacks, including Pearl Harbor.

Asian Theatre

In China, the Japanese 13th Army (under General Shizuichi Tanaka) engaged Chinese 8th Route Army (under General Zhu De) in Shanxi province, following the Hundred Regiments Offensive. Chinese communist forces used guerrilla tactics to disrupt Japanese garrisons, railways, and supply lines, targeting outposts in coordinated raids.
Japan’s Southern Army (under General Hisaichi Terauchi) continued deploying troops to southern French Indochina, following agreements with Vichy France (finalized June 29–30), positioning forces for planned invasions of Southeast Asia, including Malaya and the Philippines. This escalation prompted U.S. and British economic sanctions, including oil embargoes.
Outcomes: Japanese operations in China faced persistent resistance, limiting consolidation. Indochina deployments strengthened Japan’s strategic position but heightened tensions with Western powers, accelerating the path to war.

Key Personalities

Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb: Led Army Group North in the Baltic advance.
Reinhard Heydrich: Directed Einsatzgruppen mass executions, including Lviv massacre.
Major General John Lavarack: Commanded Australian forces in Syria.
General Zhu De: Led Chinese communist resistance against Japan.
General Hisaichi Terauchi: Oversaw Japanese deployments in Indochina.

July 4, 1942

USS Wichita and HMS London, part of the covering force for Convoy PQ 17, 1942

Overview of Key Events

On July 4, 1942, the First Battle of El Alamein in North Africa saw intense fighting as British forces held the line against General Erwin Rommel’s Axis advance. On the Eastern Front, German forces consolidated their capture of Sevastopol, Crimea, as part of Operation Case Blue, with advances toward Voronezh. In the Atlantic, the Convoy PQ 17 suffered devastating losses to German U-boats and aircraft. Holocaust deportations from Western Europe to death camps escalated, and in the Pacific, U.S. forces prepared for the Guadalcanal Campaign. In Asia, Japan consolidated gains in China and the Aleutian Islands.

European and Atlantic Theatre

Operation Case Blue: Launched on June 28, German Army Group South (under Field Marshal Fedor von Bock) advanced toward Voronezh and the Caucasus. On July 4, Army Group B (under General Maximilian von Weichs), including the 4th Panzer Army (under General Hermann Hoth) and 2nd Army (under General Hans von Salmuth), engaged Soviet Southwestern Front (under Marshal Semyon Timoshenko) near the Donets River. The 3rd Panzer Division and 16th Panzer Division, supported by Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 55 (Heinkel He 111 bombers) and Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (Ju 87 Stukas), pushed against Soviet 40th Army, nearing Voronezh despite logistical challenges.
Consolidation of Sevastopol: After capturing Sevastopol on July 1–3, the German 11th Army (under General Erich von Manstein) completed mopping-up operations in Crimea. The German 54th Corps and Romanian 3rd Mountain Division, supported by Luftwaffe VIII Air Corps (Ju 87 Stukas), secured the port, capturing over 90,000 Soviet prisoners from the Coastal Army (under General Ivan Petrov). The victory solidified German control but strained resources.
Convoy PQ 17 Disaster: On July 4, 1942, Arctic Convoy PQ 17, en route to the Soviet Union with supplies, suffered catastrophic losses after Allied naval escorts withdrew due to a mistaken belief in an imminent attack by the German battleship Tirpitz. German U-boats (including U-456 and U-703) and Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 30 (Ju 88 bombers) attacked the dispersed convoy, sinking 11 of 35 merchant ships on July 4 alone, with more losses over subsequent days. British destroyers like HMS Keppel and U.S. ships like USS Wainwright could not protect the scattered convoy.
Holocaust-Related Events: Deportations from the Netherlands and France to Auschwitz-Birkenau, organized by Adolf Eichmann, continued. On or around July 4, transports from Westerbork transit camp sent Jews to Auschwitz, where most were gassed upon arrival. In occupied Poland, Operation Reinhard progressed, with Jews from smaller ghettos like Zamość deported to Belzec death camp under SS-Gruppenführer Odilo Globocnik. The Warsaw Ghetto, with over 400,000 Jews, faced escalating terror as SS authorities prepared for mass deportations to Treblinka, set to begin later in July.
Outcomes: Sevastopol’s fall strengthened German control in Crimea, but Case Blue’s advance faced growing Soviet resistance. The PQ 17 disaster disrupted Allied aid to the Soviets, highlighting vulnerabilities in Arctic convoys. Holocaust deportations killed thousands, advancing the Final Solution.

Mediterranean and African Theatre

First Battle of El Alamein: The battle, ongoing since July 1, saw intense fighting on July 4, with General Erwin Rommel’s Panzer Army Africa, including the 15th Panzer Division, 21st Panzer Division, and Italian XX Corps (Ariete Division), pressing British defenses at El Alamein, Egypt. The British Eighth Army (under General Claude Auchinleck, who assumed direct command) held the line with the 2nd South African Division, 18th Indian Infantry Brigade, and 1st Armoured Division, supported by RAF No. 211 Group (Hurricane fighters). On July 4, British forces repelled Axis assaults at Ruweisat Ridge, using Matilda II tanks and 6-pounder anti-tank guns to counter German Panzer IVs and 88mm Flak guns.
Outcomes: The Eighth Army’s defense at El Alamein halted Rommel’s advance, protecting Egypt and the Suez Canal, marking a critical stand in the North African campaign.

Pacific Theatre

U.S. forces under Admiral Chester Nimitz continued preparations for the Guadalcanal Campaign, set for August 1942. On July 4, Task Force 16 (USS Enterprise, USS Hornet, under Rear Admiral Raymond Spruance) refitted in Pearl Harbor, while the 1st Marine Division (under Major General Alexander Vandegrift) trained in New Zealand. PBY Catalina aircraft of VP-44 Squadron conducted reconnaissance over Guadalcanal and Tulagi, targeting Japanese defenses.
Outcomes: U.S. preparations positioned forces for the first major Allied offensive in the Pacific, setting the stage for a shift in momentum post-Midway.

Asian Theatre

In China, the Japanese China Expeditionary Army (under General Yasuji Okamura) conducted mopping-up operations in Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces after the Zhejiang-Jiangxi Campaign, targeting Chinese 3rd War Area forces (under General Gu Zhutong). These operations secured airfields used in the Doolittle Raid but faced Chinese guerrilla resistance.
Japanese 25th Army (under General Tomoyuki Yamashita) maintained control over Malaya and Singapore, while the Imperial Japanese Navy reinforced positions in the Aleutian Islands (Attu and Kiska), despite logistical challenges.
Outcomes: Japanese efforts in China met persistent resistance, limiting consolidation. Aleutian occupations diverted resources with minimal strategic gain.

Key Personalities

General Erich von Manstein: Led German 11th Army in consolidating Sevastopol.
General Erwin Rommel: Commanded Axis advance at El Alamein.
General Claude Auchinleck: Led British Eighth Army in defense of El Alamein.
Adolf Eichmann: Oversaw Holocaust deportations.
General Yasuji Okamura: Directed Japanese operations in China.

July 4, 1943

Australian Commandos in New Guinea, 1943

Overview of Key Events

On July 4, 1943, the Allies continued preparations for the invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky), set for July 10, while the New Georgia Campaign in the Pacific saw U.S. forces advancing against Japanese defences. On the Eastern Front, German and Soviet forces finalized preparations for the Battle of Kursk, set to begin on July 5, with a notable incident involving the death of Polish General Władysław Sikorski in a plane crash in Gibraltar. Holocaust liquidations and deportations intensified, particularly in Poland and the Netherlands. In Asia, Japanese forces consolidated positions in China and New Guinea, facing Allied pressure.

European and Atlantic Theatre

Battle of Kursk Preparations: German Army Group South (under Field Marshal Erich von Manstein) and Army Group Center (under Field Marshal Günther von Kluge) completed preparations for Operation Citadel, set to launch on July 5. The 4th Panzer Army (under General Hermann Hoth) and 9th Army (under General Walter Model) amassed Panzer IV, Tiger I, and Panther tanks, supported by Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 55 (Heinkel He 111 bombers). Soviet Central Front (under General Konstantin Rokossovsky) and Voronezh Front (under General Nikolai Vatutin) fortified defenses with T-34 tanks, anti-tank guns, and minefields, including the 13th Army and 5th Guards Army, anticipating the German offensive.
Death of Władysław Sikorski: On July 4, 1943, Polish Prime Minister-in-Exile and Commander-in-Chief General Władysław Sikorski died in a Liberator bomber crash shortly after takeoff from Gibraltar, alongside 15 others. The crash, attributed to mechanical failure, was a significant loss for the Polish government-in-exile in London, weakening its leadership and diplomatic influence. Sikorski’s death strained Polish-Allied relations, particularly with the Soviets, amid tensions over the Katyn massacre revelations.
Allied Air Raids: RAF Bomber Command (under Air Marshal Arthur Harris) and U.S. Eighth Air Force (under Major General Ira Eaker) continued bombing German industrial targets. On or around July 4, RAF No. 5 Group (Avro Lancasters) targeted Cologne, while the 100th Bomb Group (B-17 Flying Fortresses) struck U-boat facilities in Bremen, aiming to disrupt German production and morale.
Holocaust-Related Events: The liquidation of the Lviv Ghetto, overseen by SS and Police Leader Friedrich Katzmann, was nearly complete after its initiation in early June. By July 4, most remaining Jews were deported to Belzec death camp or executed at Janowska labor camp, with minimal resistance due to overwhelming SS and Ukrainian auxiliary forces. Deportations from the Netherlands via Westerbork transit camp to Auschwitz-Birkenau and Sobibor continued, organized by Adolf Eichmann, with hundreds gassed upon arrival.
Outcomes: Kursk preparations set the stage for a decisive Eastern Front battle, with massive resources committed by both sides. Sikorski’s death disrupted Polish leadership, complicating Allied coordination. Allied air raids weakened German infrastructure, though at high aircraft losses. Holocaust liquidations and deportations further decimated Jewish populations, advancing Nazi genocide.

Mediterranean and African Theatre

Sicily Invasion Preparations (Operation Husky): Allied forces, including the British Eighth Army (under General Bernard Montgomery) and U.S. Seventh Army (under General George S. Patton), finalized plans for the Sicily invasion, scheduled for July 10. The 1st Canadian Infantry Division, British 51st (Highland) Division, and U.S. 82nd Airborne Division trained in North Africa, supported by RAF No. 205 Group (Wellington bombers) and U.S. 12th Air Force (B-25 Mitchells) conducting reconnaissance and bombing runs on Axis defenses in Sicily, targeting German 15th Panzergrenadier Division and Italian 6th Army.
Outcomes: Allied preparations ensured a coordinated assault on Sicily, pressuring Axis forces and diverting German resources from the Eastern Front.

Pacific Theatre

New Georgia Campaign: Launched on June 30, the U.S.-led New Georgia Campaign in the Solomon Islands progressed under Admiral William F. Halsey. On July 4, the 43rd Infantry Division (under Major General John H. Hester) and 4th Marine Raider Battalion advanced toward Munda Point airfield, engaging Japanese 17th Army (under General Harukichi Hyakutake). P-38 Lightning fighters of the 339th Fighter Squadron provided air cover, while Task Force 31 (under Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner), including destroyers like USS Ralph Talbot, supported operations. Japanese coastal defenses and A6M Zero fighters from the 251st Air Group resisted fiercely, particularly around Munda.
Outcomes: The New Georgia Campaign challenged Japanese control in the Solomons, though heavy resistance slowed Allied progress, setting the stage for prolonged fighting.

Asian Theatre

In China, the Japanese 11th Army (under General Yukio Kasahara) consolidated positions in Hubei province after the Battle of Western Hubei, engaging Chinese 6th War Area forces (under General Sun Lianzhong). Chinese troops employed guerrilla tactics to disrupt Japanese supply lines, targeting railways and outposts.
In New Guinea, Japanese 18th Army (under General Hatazo Adachi) reinforced defenses around Lae and Salamaua, facing pressure from Australian 3rd Division and U.S. 41st Infantry Division, supported by RAAF No. 100 Squadron (Beaufort bombers).
Outcomes: Japanese control in Hubei faced persistent Chinese resistance, limiting consolidation. New Guinea defenses prepared for Allied offensives, straining Japanese resources.

Key Personalities

Field Marshal Erich von Manstein: Led German Army Group South for Kursk.
General Konstantin Rokossovsky: Commanded Soviet Central Front in Kursk defenses.
General Władysław Sikorski: Polish leader killed in Gibraltar crash.
Admiral William F. Halsey: Directed U.S. forces in the New Georgia Campaign.
Friedrich Katzmann: Oversaw Lviv Ghetto liquidation.

July 4, 1944

German mortar team in action, Normandy 1944

Overview of Key Events

On July 4, 1944, Soviet forces captured Minsk during Operation Bagration, a major victory on the Eastern Front. In Normandy, Allied forces advanced following the capture of Cherbourg, with intense fighting around Caen. Holocaust deportations from Hungary to Auschwitz-Birkenau continued at their peak. In the Pacific, U.S. troops neared victory on Saipan, facing heavy Japanese resistance. In Asia, Japan’s Operation Ichi-Go progressed in China, while Japanese forces retreated in the India-Burma theatre.

European and Atlantic Theatre

Operation Bagration: On July 4, 1944, Soviet forces of the 1st Belorussian Front (under General Konstantin Rokossovsky) and 3rd Belorussian Front (under General Ivan Chernyakhovsky) completed the capture of Minsk, Belarus, encircling over 100,000 German troops of Army Group Center (under Field Marshal Walter Model). The Soviet 5th Guards Tank Army and 65th Army, equipped with T-34 tanks and supported by IL-2 Sturmovik aircraft, overwhelmed German 4th Army and remnants of the 9th Army, liberating the city and marking a decisive blow to German defenses.
Normandy Campaign (Operation Overlord): Allied forces expanded their foothold in Normandy. The British Second Army (under General Bernard Montgomery), including the 51st (Highland) Division and Canadian 3rd Infantry Division, prepared for Operation Charnwood to capture Caen, engaging German Panzer Group West (under General Leo Geyr von Schweppenburg) and the 12th SS Panzer Division. British VIII Corps (under Lieutenant General Richard O’Connor) clashed with German 21st Panzer Division, supported by RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force (Hawker Typhoons). Operation Epsom, the earlier attempt to capture Caen had ended in a stalemate, but the Germans has sought permission to withdraw after the battle ended on 1 July. U.S. First Army (under General Omar Bradley), including the 2nd Infantry Division, advanced toward St. Lô against the German 352nd Infantry Division, with U.S. Ninth Air Force (P-47 Thunderbolts) providing air support.
V-1 Attacks: Germany continued V-1 flying bomb attacks on London from Pas-de-Calais, operated by Flak-Regiment 155 (W), causing civilian casualties and disruption.
Holocaust-Related Events: Deportations from Hungary to Auschwitz-Birkenau, organized by Adolf Eichmann, remained at their peak, with daily trains from Budapest and provincial towns. On or around July 4, thousands of Jews were gassed upon arrival, with others selected for forced labor. In Poland, the Łódź Ghetto faced intensified deportations to Auschwitz and Chelmno, with SS authorities targeting remaining workers and families.
Outcomes: The capture of Minsk crippled Army Group Center, shifting Eastern Front momentum decisively to the Soviets. Allied progress in Normandy strengthened their position, though Caen remained contested. V-1 attacks disrupted British civilians but had limited strategic impact. Holocaust deportations marked a devastating phase of the genocide.

Mediterranean and African Theatre

Italian Campaign: Allied forces, including the U.S. Fifth Army (under General Mark Clark) and British Eighth Army (under General Oliver Leese), advanced north of Rome, engaging German 10th Army (under General Heinrich von Vietinghoff). The U.S. 34th Infantry Division and British 78th Division clashed with German 14th Panzer Corps near Florence, supported by U.S. 12th Air Force (B-25 Mitchell bombers).
Operation Dragoon Preparations: Planning for the invasion of southern France (August 1944) progressed, with U.S. Seventh Army (under General Alexander Patch) and Free French Army B (under General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny) organizing in North Africa.
Outcomes: Allied advances in Italy weakened German defenses, while Dragoon preparations set the stage for a second European front, diverting Axis resources.

Pacific Theatre

Battle of Saipan (Operation Forager): U.S. forces, including the 2nd Marine Division and 4th Marine Division (under Lieutenant General Holland Smith), continued intense fighting against the Japanese 31st Army (under Lieutenant General Yoshitsugu Saito) on Saipan. On July 4, U.S. troops advanced north from Mount Tapotchau, capturing key positions despite fierce Japanese resistance from bunkers, caves, and artillery. Task Force 58 (under Admiral Marc Mitscher), including USS Tennessee, provided naval bombardment, while the 27th Infantry Division reinforced the assault.
Outcomes: U.S. progress on Saipan threatened Japan’s inner defense perimeter, paving the way for the Mariana Islands campaign’s success and airfields for B-29 bombers.

Asian Theatre

Operation Ichi-Go: In China, the Japanese China Expeditionary Army (under General Yasuji Okamura) advanced in Henan and Hunan provinces, targeting Chinese 4th War Area forces (under General Zhang Fakui). The 12th Army, having captured Luoyang in May, pressed toward Changsha (captured in June) and moved toward Hengyang. Chinese resistance, including guerrilla tactics, slowed Japanese progress.
India-Burma Theatre: Japanese 15th Army (under General Renya Mutaguchi) continued retreating after defeats in the Battle of Kohima-Imphal. British 14th Army (under General William Slim), including Indian 5th Division and British 2nd Division, pursued Japanese forces, supported by RAF No. 221 Group (Hurricane fighters).
Outcomes: Japanese gains in China threatened Allied airfields but faced resistance. Japanese defeats in India-Burma weakened their regional position, strengthening Allied control.

Key Personalities

General Konstantin Rokossovsky: Commanded Soviet 1st Belorussian Front in capturing Minsk.
General Omar Bradley: Led U.S. First Army in Normandy.
Lieutenant General Holland Smith: Directed U.S. forces on Saipan.
Adolf Eichmann: Oversaw Hungarian deportations.
General Yasuji Okamura: Led Operation Ichi-Go in China.

July 4, 1945

Preparations for Nuremburg trials including Soviet delegate Aron Trainin (with moustache), 1945

Overview of Key Events

On July 4, 1945, the European war had ended with Germany’s surrender on May 8, shifting focus to post-war occupation and Holocaust survivor recovery. In the Pacific, the Battle of Balikpapan in Borneo, which began on July 1, saw Australian forces advancing against Japanese defences. Mopping-up operations continued in Okinawa, while in Asia, Japanese forces retreated in China and Burma, facing Allied counteroffensives.

European and Atlantic Theatre

Post-War Occupation: Following Germany’s surrender, Allied forces maintained occupation zones in Germany and Austria. Soviet forces, including the 1st Baltic Front (under General Ivan Bagramyan), controlled eastern Germany and Poland, implementing Yalta Conference agreements (February 1945). The Polish Provisional Government of National Unity, led by Edward Osóbka-Morawski, solidified Soviet-backed governance, having begun operations on June 28. Allied efforts focused on denazification, rebuilding infrastructure, and managing displaced populations.
Holocaust-Related Events: Preparations for War Crimes Trials: By July 2, 1945, the Allies were organizing the framework for the Nuremberg Trials, which would begin on November 20, 1945, to prosecute major Nazi war criminals. The United Nations War Crimes Commission, established in 1943, was compiling evidence of Nazi atrocities, including survivor testimonies and captured German documents like the Wannsee Conference minutes (1942), which outlined the “Final Solution”. U.S., British, and Soviet legal teams were gathering evidence from liberated camps, such as Dachau (liberated April 29, 1945) and Buchenwald (liberated April 8, 1945), where Allied soldiers documented mass graves, gas chambers, and emaciated survivors. These efforts aimed to hold perpetrators accountable, though most lower-level perpetrators evaded immediate prosecutions.
Outcomes: Soviet occupation shaped Eastern Europe’s post-war landscape, setting the stage for Cold War tensions. Holocaust survivors’ struggles highlighted the massive humanitarian crisis, with DP camps serving as critical refuges.

Mediterranean and African Theatre

No military operations occurred, as the European and North African campaigns had concluded. Allied forces, including the British Eighth Army and U.S. Fifth Army, focused on occupation duties in Italy and reconstruction in North Africa, emphasizing infrastructure repair, repatriation of displaced populations, and administration of former Axis territories.
Outcomes: The Mediterranean transitioned to post-war stabilization, with Allied efforts centered on demobilization and humanitarian aid.

Pacific Theatre

Battle of Balikpapan: Launched on July 1, the Australian-led Battle of Balikpapan in Borneo, part of Operation Oboe, continued on July 4. The Australian 7th Division (under Major General Edward Milford), including the 2/9th Battalion, 2/10th Battalion, and 2/1st Pioneer Battalion, advanced inland, capturing key oil facilities and engaging Japanese 37th Army (under Lieutenant General Masao Baba). Supported by RAAF No. 76 Squadron (P-40 Kittyhawk fighters), U.S. Navy Task Force 74 (including USS Phoenix), and Dutch KNIL units, Australian forces overcame Japanese fortified positions and Type 95 Ha-Go tanks, securing strategic ridges and key infrastructure.
Battle of Okinawa: The campaign officially ended on June 22, but mopping-up operations continued against remnants of the Japanese 32nd Army (under Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ushijima, killed June 22). On July 4, U.S. 10th Army (under General Roy S. Geiger) conducted sweeps with the 1st Marine Division and 96th Infantry Division around Mabuni, neutralizing small Japanese pockets and defending against isolated kamikaze attacks by A6M Zero fighters.
Outcomes: Australian advances in Balikpapan secured Borneo’s oil fields, weakening Japanese logistics. Okinawa’s capture provided a staging base for the planned invasion of Japan, at a cost of over 12,000 U.S. and 110,000 Japanese lives.

Asian Theatre

Borneo Campaign (Operation Oboe): Beyond Balikpapan, Australian 9th Division (under Major General George Wootten) advanced in northern Borneo, securing Labuan Island and Brunei Bay against Japanese 37th Army. On July 4, the 2/28th Battalion and 2/12th Commando Squadron pushed inland, engaging Japanese guerrilla forces, supported by RAAF No. 76 Squadron and HMAS Shropshire.
China (Battle of West Hunan): Japanese China Expeditionary Army (under General Yasuji Okamura) continued retreating in Guangxi and Hunan provinces, pursued by Chinese 3rd War Area forces (under General He Yingqin). The Chinese 74th Army recaptured territory, aided by U.S. 14th Air Force (P-51 Mustang fighters), disrupting Japanese supply lines.
Burma Campaign: Japanese Burma Area Army (under General Hyotaro Kimura) retreated toward the Sittang River after losing Rangoon (May 1945). British 14th Army (under General William Slim), including Indian 5th Division and British 2nd Division, pursued, supported by RAF No. 221 Group (Hurricane fighters). On July 4, British forces engaged Japanese rearguards in the Sittang Bend.
Outcomes: Australian advances in Borneo secured strategic resources. Chinese counteroffensives reclaimed territory, weakening Japanese control. Japanese retreats in Burma diminished their regional presence, solidifying Allied dominance.

Key Personalities

Edward Osóbka-Morawski: Led the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity.
General Ivan Bagramyan: Oversaw Soviet occupation in Eastern Europe.
Major General Edward Milford: Commanded Australian 7th Division at Balikpapan.
General Roy S. Geiger: Directed U.S. 10th Army in Okinawa’s final operations.
General William Slim: Led British 14th Army in Burma.