Each Day in World War II – 5th July

July 5, 1940

Overview of Key Events

On July 5, 1940, the aftermath of the British attack on the Vichy French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir (Operation Catapult, July 3) escalated tensions, with Vichy France formally breaking diplomatic relations with Britain. Germany consolidated control over the occupied Channel Islands, while Italian air raids continued against Malta. Luftwaffe activity intensified in the prelude to the Battle of Britain. The Soviet Union completed 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 escalated in occupied Poland and Western Europe, focusing on ghettoization and anti-Jewish laws.

European and Atlantic Theatre

Aftermath of Mers-el-Kébir (Operation Catapult): Following the British attack on the Vichy French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir, Algeria, on July 3, which sank the battleship Bretagne, damaged Dunkerque and Provence, and killed 1,297 French sailors, Vichy France, under Marshal Philippe Pétain, formally severed diplomatic relations with Britain on July 5. The attack, executed by British Force H (under Vice Admiral James Somerville) with ships like HMS Hood, HMS Valiant, and HMS Resolution, aimed to prevent the French fleet from falling into German hands. The decision strained Anglo-French relations, pushing Vichy closer to Axis alignment, though it ensured Allied naval supremacy in the Mediterranean.
German Occupation of the Channel Islands: German forces from the 216th Infantry Division (under Generalmajor Hermann von Chappuis) continued consolidating control over the Channel Islands, following occupations of Jersey (July 1), Guernsey (July 2), and Sark (July 4). On July 5, German authorities enforced occupation policies, including curfews, requisitions, and civilian registration, with minimal resistance due to the prior British evacuation under Operation Aerial.
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 5, Soviet control was fully established, with Joseph Stalin’s directive expanding influence in Eastern Europe, heightening tensions with Germany.
Battle of Britain Prelude: Luftwaffe reconnaissance and probing attacks escalated over southern England, targeting RAF airfields and coastal defenses. On July 5, Kampfgeschwader 1 (Heinkel He 111 bombers) and Jagdgeschwader 51 (Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters) 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 phase of the Battle of Britain, which would intensify in July–August.
Holocaust-Related Events: In occupied Poland, the General Government (under Hans Frank) tightened anti-Jewish measures. The Warsaw Ghetto, confining over 400,000 Jews, faced increased restrictions, forced labor, and severe food shortages, with daily rations below 200 calories. In Kraków, ghettoization isolated Jews in overcrowded districts with limited resources. In occupied France, Nazi authorities expanded Jewish registration, laying the groundwork for future deportations, overseen by figures like Theodor Dannecker under Adolf Eichmann’s direction.
Outcomes: The Mers-el-Kébir fallout deepened Vichy’s rift with Britain, strengthening Axis ties. German control of the Channel Islands solidified a symbolic victory. Soviet annexations expanded Eastern European influence, straining Axis relations. Luftwaffe raids set the stage for the Battle of Britain. Holocaust measures escalated persecution, preparing for mass atrocities.

Mediterranean and African Theatre

Siege of Malta: Italian Regia Aeronautica continued bombing raids on Malta, a key British stronghold. On July 5, 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. The raids aimed to disrupt British supply lines to North Africa but faced resilient defenses.
Outcomes: Italian attacks caused damage but failed to neutralize Malta’s strategic role, as British forces maintained control.

Pacific Theatre

No significant military engagements occurred in the Pacific on July 5, 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 with the Allies 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, maintaining resistance despite Japanese territorial gains.
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. This move prompted U.S. and British economic sanctions, including oil embargoes.
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 during Mers-el-Kébir.
Marshal Philippe Pétain: Led Vichy France, severing ties with Britain.
Hans Frank: Directed anti-Jewish policies in occupied Poland.
General Tomoyuki Yamashita: Commanded Japanese forces in China.
Joseph Stalin: Oversaw Soviet annexation of Bessarabia and Bukovina.

July 5, 1941

German infantry reach the Dnieper River, 1941

Overview of Key Events

On July 5, 1941, Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union launched on June 22, saw continued German advances on the Eastern Front, particularly in the Baltic states and Ukraine, with Einsatzgruppen mass executions escalating Holocaust atrocities. In the Mediterranean, Allied forces advanced in the Syria-Lebanon Campaign, weakening Vichy French defences. 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) continued its advance after capturing Riga, Latvia (July 1). On July 5, the 18th Army and 4th Panzer Group (under General Erich Hoepner), including the 1st Panzer Division, pushed toward Pskov, engaging Soviet Northwestern Front (under General Fyodor Kuznetsov) and its 8th Army. Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 1 (Heinkel He 111 bombers) and Jagdgeschwader 54 (Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters) targeted Soviet airfields and supply lines, weakening defences.
- Army Group Center (under Field Marshal Fedor von Bock) consolidated gains from the Minsk pocket, where over 300,000 Soviet troops of the Western Front (under General Dmitry Pavlov, executed for failures) were captured. The 3rd Panzer Group (under General Hermann Hoth) and 2nd Panzer Group (under General Heinz Guderian) advanced toward Smolensk, clashing with Soviet 13th Army, supported by T-34 tanks, in defensive actions.
- Army Group South (under Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt) pressed 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. The Germans reach the Dnieper River in their advance. On or around July 5, Einsatzgruppe C and Ukrainian collaborators continued massacres in Lviv, following the July 4 killing of 25 Polish intellectuals, targeting Jewish communities and burning synagogues.
- The British Government officially rule out any possibility of a negotiated peace with Germany.
Holocaust-Related Events: Einsatzgruppen, under Reinhard Heydrich’s command, escalated mass executions in occupied Soviet territories. In Latvia, Einsatzgruppe A (under SS-Obersturmbannführer Franz Walter Stahlecker) conducted pogroms, killing thousands of Jews in early July. In Ukraine, Einsatzgruppe C’s actions in Lviv included mass shootings and synagogue burnings, with hundreds of Jews killed. In occupied Poland, the Warsaw Ghetto, with over 400,000 Jews, faced worsening conditions—starvation, disease, and forced labor—as SS authorities, including Hans Frank, tightened restrictions, preparing for future deportations.
Outcomes: German advances disrupted Soviet defenses, though resistance slowed progress in Ukraine. Holocaust atrocities, particularly Einsatzgruppen massacres, marked a brutal escalation of genocide, targeting Jews and intellectuals. Soviet losses 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 5, 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 Allies weakened Vichy defences, nearing the campaign’s conclusion in mid-July.
British torpedo planes sink an Italian destroyer at Tobruk.
Outcomes: Allied advances eroded Vichy control, securing the Levant and protecting Middle Eastern oil routes for the Allies.

Pacific Theatre

No significant military engagements occurred in the Pacific on July 5, 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, intensifying tensions.
Outcomes: Japanese operations in China faced persistent resistance, limiting consolidation. Indochina deployments strengthened Japan’s strategic position but accelerated the path to war with Western powers.

Key Personalities

Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb: Led Army Group North in the Baltic advance.
Reinhard Heydrich: Directed Einsatzgruppen mass executions in occupied Soviet territories.
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 5, 1942

Overview of Key Events

On July 5, 1942, the First Battle of El Alamein in North Africa continued, with British forces holding the line against General Erwin Rommel’s Axis advance. On the Eastern Front, German forces advanced toward Voronezh as part of Operation Case Blue, while consolidating their recent capture of Sevastopol, Crimea. In the Atlantic, the Convoy PQ 17 suffered heavy 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 5, 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 Voronezh. 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, capturing key positions despite Soviet resistance with T-34 tanks.
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 on July 5. The German 54th Corps and Romanian 3rd Mountain Division, supported by Luftwaffe VIII Air Corps (Ju 87 Stukas), secured remaining Soviet positions, capturing over 90,000 prisoners from the Soviet Coastal Army (under General Ivan Petrov). The victory solidified German control but diverted resources from Case Blue.
Convoy PQ 17 Disaster: Arctic Convoy PQ 17, en route to the Soviet Union, faced devastating attacks after Allied escorts withdrew on July 4 due to a mistaken threat from the German battleship Tirpitz. On July 5, German U-boats (including U-456 and U-703) and Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 30 (Ju 88 bombers) sank additional merchant ships, with 13 of 35 ships lost by this date. British destroyers like HMS Keppel and U.S. ships like USS Wainwright were unable to protect the scattered convoy, severely disrupting Allied aid to the Soviets.
Holocaust-Related Events: In France, the Vichy government, under Marshal Philippe Pétain and Pierre Laval, collaborated with Nazi authorities, registering Jews and facilitating roundups. The Drancy internment camp, overseen by SS officer Theodor Dannecker, sent thousands to Auschwitz. Despite overwhelming odds, Jewish resistance began to emerge. In the Warsaw Ghetto, groups like the Jewish Combat Organization (ŻOB), led by figures such as Mordechai Anielewicz, started organizing in mid-1942, smuggling weapons and preparing for resistance, though their efforts were limited by lack of resources. Underground networks in other ghettos, like Kraków, distributed anti-Nazi leaflets and coordinated with Polish resistance groups, though these actions were small-scale and often suppressed.
Outcomes: German advances in Case Blue threatened Soviet industrial regions, but resistance slowed progress. Sevastopol’s fall strengthened German control in Crimea at high cost. The PQ 17 losses disrupted Soviet aid, exposing Arctic convoy vulnerabilities. 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 5, 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). 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. The New Zealanders attempt to cut off the Ariete Division, by advancing towards El Mreir but are halted by heavy fire from 27 Infantry Division “Brescia”. At this point the Ariete has only five remaining tanks due to losses in the preceding days.
Outcomes: The Eighth Army’s defense 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 5, 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, mapping Japanese defenses.
Outcomes: U.S. preparations positioned forces for the first major Allied offensive in the Pacific, setting the stage for a strategic shift 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 strains.
Outcomes: Japanese efforts in China met persistent resistance, limiting consolidation. Aleutian occupations diverted resources with minimal strategic impact.

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 5, 1943

Soviet PTRD anti-tank rifle team in action, Kursk 1943

Overview of Key Events

On July 5, 1943, the Battle of Kursk, one of the largest battles in history, began with Germany’s Operation Citadel, aimed at pinching off the Soviet salient in the Kursk region. In the Pacific, the New Georgia Campaign saw U.S. forces advancing against Japanese defences. Allied forces finalized preparations for the invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky), set for July 10. 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. The Battle of Kursk’s start was a pivotal event, shaping the Eastern Front’s trajectory.

European and Atlantic Theatre

Battle of Kursk (Operation Citadel): On July 5, 1943, Germany launched Operation Citadel, targeting the Soviet salient around Kursk. German Army Group South (under Field Marshal Erich von Manstein) and Army Group Center (under Field Marshal Günther von Kluge) attacked with the 4th Panzer Army (under General Hermann Hoth), 9th Army (under General Walter Model), and Army Detachment Kempf. Units included the 3rd Panzer Division, 11th Panzer Division, and SS Panzer Corps (1st, 2nd, and 3rd SS Panzer Divisions), equipped with Panzer IV, Tiger I, and Panther tanks. Luftwaffe units like Kampfgeschwader 55 (Heinkel He 111 bombers) and Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (Ju 87 Stukas) provided air support. Soviet Central Front (under General Konstantin Rokossovsky) and Voronezh Front (under General Nikolai Vatutin), with the 13th Army, 5th Guards Army, and 5th Guards Tank Army, countered with T-34 tanks, anti-tank guns, and extensive minefields. Soviet IL-2 Sturmovik aircraft disrupted German advances. Initial German assaults gained ground but faced fierce resistance, particularly at Prokhorovka and Ponyri.
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 5, 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 June. By July 5, 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: The Battle of Kursk’s opening saw heavy German losses against prepared Soviet defenses, marking a turning point on the Eastern Front. 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, set 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 5, 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 in Kursk.
General Konstantin Rokossovsky: Commanded Soviet Central Front in Kursk defenses.
Admiral William F. Halsey: Directed U.S. forces in the New Georgia Campaign.
Friedrich Katzmann: Oversaw Lviv Ghetto liquidation.
General Yukio Kasahara: Led Japanese operations in Hubei.

July 5, 1944

Overview of Key Events

On July 5, 1944, Soviet forces advanced in Operation Bagration, pushing toward Poland after capturing Minsk on July 3–4. In Normandy, Allied forces continued their advance following the capture of Cherbourg, with intense fighting around Caen. Holocaust deportations from Hungary to Auschwitz-Birkenau remained at their peak. In the Pacific, U.S. forces neared victory on Saipan, facing fierce 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: Following the capture of Minsk (July 3–4), Soviet forces of the 1st Belorussian Front (under General Konstantin Rokossovsky) and 3rd Belorussian Front (under General Ivan Chernyakhovsky) advanced toward Poland. On July 5, the Soviet 5th Guards Tank Army and 65th Army, equipped with T-34 tanks and supported by IL-2 Sturmovik aircraft, pursued retreating German Army Group Center (under Field Marshal Walter Model), targeting remnants of the 4th Army and 9th Army. Soviet forces aimed for the Vistula River, engaging German rearguards near Baranovichi.
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). 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, were at their peak, with daily trains from Budapest and provincial towns. On or around July 5, 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: Soviet advances in Bagration crippled Army Group Center, pushing German forces toward Poland and shifting Eastern Front momentum. 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 5, 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 Hengyang after taking Changsha in June. 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 Bagration.
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 5, 1945

Overview of Key Events

On July 5, 1945, the European war had ended with Germany’s surrender on May 8, and the focus shifted to post-war occupation and Holocaust survivor recovery. In the Pacific, the Battle of Balikpapan in Borneo, part of Operation Oboe, continued with Australian forces advancing against Japanese defences. Mopping-up operations persisted in Okinawa, while in Asia, Japanese forces retreated in China and Burma under Allied pressure. General Douglas MacArthur announced the liberation of the Philippines, a significant milestone in the Pacific campaign. Holocaust-related efforts focused on Displaced Persons (DP) camps and early war crimes trial preparations.

European and Atlantic Theatre

Post-War Occupation: After Germany’s surrender, Allied forces managed 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, operational since June 28, 1945. Allied efforts focused on denazification, infrastructure rebuilding, and managing displaced populations, with over 7 million Displaced Persons (DPs) across Europe.
In Great Britain, the first election in 10 years is held. The poll would see Clement Atlee and the Labour Party come to power in a landslid, resulting in a 146 seat majority in the Commons.
Holocaust-Related Events: Zionist organizations, led by figures like David Ben-Gurion, intensified calls for Jewish emigration to Palestine, especially as British restrictions under the 1939 White Paper limited immigration quotas. In DP camps, survivors formed Zionist groups, with some organizing clandestine emigration routes (Aliyah Bet) to bypass British blockades. By July 1945, approximately 10,000 Jews had reached Palestine illegally since the war’s end, with more planning to follow. Preparations for War Crimes Trials: The Allies were compiling evidence for the Nuremberg Trials, set to begin on November 20, 1945, to prosecute Nazi war criminals. On or around July 5, the United Nations War Crimes Commission collected survivor testimonies and German documents, including the Wannsee Conference minutes (1942), which detailed the “Final Solution.” U.S., British, and Soviet legal teams documented atrocities at camps like Dachau (liberated April 29, 1945) and Buchenwald (liberated April 8, 1945), where mass graves, gas chambers, and survivor accounts evidenced genocide. Jewish survivors in DP camps, such as those in Feldafing, began providing statements, though participation was limited by trauma and distrust. Critical Examination: The establishment narrative emphasizes Nuremberg as a triumph of justice, but only 23 high-ranking Nazis were tried in the main trial, with genocide charges secondary to “crimes against peace.” Lower-level perpetrators, including Einsatzgruppen members, often evaded immediate prosecution, with trials like the Einsatzgruppen Trial occurring later (1947–1948). German public resentment, viewing trials as “victor’s justice,” and Allied prioritization of Cold War alliances delayed comprehensive accountability, leaving many Jewish survivors feeling justice was incomplete.
Outcomes: Soviet occupation shaped Eastern Europe’s post-war landscape, setting the stage for Cold War tensions. Holocaust survivors struggled in DP camps, with relief efforts providing critical but limited support. Early trial preparations laid the groundwork for justice, though many perpetrators initially evaded prosecution.

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, 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 5. 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 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 key ridges.
Liberation of the Philippines: On July 5, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur announced the liberation of the Philippines, following the conclusion of major combat operations. The U.S. Sixth Army (under General Walter Krueger) and Eighth Army (under General Robert Eichelberger), supported by Filipino guerrillas, had recaptured Luzon, Mindanao, and other islands from the Japanese 14th Area Army (under General Tomoyuki Yamashita). By July 5, only isolated Japanese pockets remained, marking a strategic victory that secured Allied control of the Philippines.
Battle of Okinawa: The campaign 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 5, 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: The liberation of the Philippines restored Allied control, weakening Japanese logistics and morale. Australian advances in Balikpapan secured Borneo’s oil fields. 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 5, 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 5, 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

General Douglas MacArthur: Announced the liberation of the Philippines.
Clement Attlee: Future Labour Prime Minister of Great Britain.
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 William Slim: Led British 14th Army in Burma.