Each Day in World War II – 8th July

July 8, 1940

Maltese children playing on crashed aircraft, date unknown

Overview of Key Events

On July 8, 1940, the aftermath of the British attack on the Vichy French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir (Operation Catapult, July 3) continued to strain Anglo-French relations, with Vichy France having severed diplomatic ties with Britain on July 5. German forces consolidated control over the occupied Channel Islands, while Italian air raids persisted against Malta. Luftwaffe activity intensified in the prelude to the Battle of Britain, with skirmishes escalating over southern England. The Soviet Union solidified its annexation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina, completed in early July. In Asia, Japan strengthened its position in China and expanded basing rights in French Indochina, escalating tensions with Western powers. Holocaust-related measures intensified 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, had severed diplomatic relations with Britain on July 5. On July 8, Vichy propaganda, led by Prime Minister Pierre Laval, continued to denounce the British action, reinforcing alignment with Nazi Germany. The attack, executed by British Force H (under Vice Admiral James Somerville) with ships like HMS Hood, HMS Valiant, and HMS Resolution, secured Allied naval supremacy in the Mediterranean but strained relations with neutral and occupied nations, complicating Allied diplomacy.
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 8, German authorities enforced occupation policies, including curfews, food requisitions, and civilian registration, with minimal resistance due to the prior British evacuation under Operation Aerial. The islands served as a propaganda victory for Germany, showcasing control over British territory, though their strategic value was limited.
Soviet Consolidation in Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina: Soviet forces, including the 9th Army (under General Ivan Boldin) and 12th Army, had completed their annexation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina from Romania by early July, under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. On July 8, Soviet authorities, under Joseph Stalin’s directive, focused on consolidating control through administrative reorganization and deportation of anti-Soviet elements, escalating tensions with Germany as the pact’s stability weakened.
Battle of Britain Prelude: Luftwaffe reconnaissance and probing attacks intensified over southern England, targeting RAF airfields, coastal defences, and shipping convoys in the English Channel as part of the Kanalkampf (Channel battles), the opening phase of the Battle of Britain. On July 8, Kampfgeschwader 2 (Dornier Do 17 bombers) and Jagdgeschwader 51 (Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters) conducted raids on convoys off Dover and airfields like Manston, countered by RAF Fighter Command (under Air Marshal Hugh Dowding) with Spitfires and Hurricanes of No. 11 Group. These skirmishes tested British defenses, marking the escalation toward the full air campaign in August.
Holocaust-Related Events: In occupied Poland, the General Government (under Hans Frank) intensified anti-Jewish measures. The Warsaw Ghetto, though not fully sealed until November 1940, was in the process of confining over 400,000 Jews, with early restrictions causing overcrowding, forced labour, and food shortages (daily rations below 200 calories), leading to starvation and disease. In Kraków, Jewish residents faced increasing isolation in a newly forming ghetto, with property confiscation and restricted movement. In occupied France, Nazi authorities, under Theodor Dannecker and Adolf Eichmann, expanded Jewish registration and introduced anti-Jewish laws, such as bans on employment in public sectors, setting the stage for deportations that would begin in 1942. The Vichy regime, under Pétain, enacted further discriminatory laws, aligning with Nazi policies.
Outcomes: The Mers-el-Kébir fallout solidified Vichy’s pro-Axis stance, complicating Allied strategy. German control of the Channel Islands bolstered propaganda but offered limited strategic gain. Soviet consolidation in Bessarabia and Bukovina expanded Eastern European influence, foreshadowing tensions with Germany. Luftwaffe raids tested British air defenses, setting the stage for the Battle of Britain. Holocaust measures escalated persecution, laying the groundwork for mass atrocities.

Mediterranean and African Theatre

Siege of Malta: Italian Regia Aeronautica continued bombing raids on Malta, a critical British stronghold. On or around July 8, 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 defences, with Malta’s strategic role intact.
Outcomes: Italian attacks caused damage but failed to neutralize Malta, as British forces maintained control, preserving a key Mediterranean base.

Pacific Theatre

No significant military engagements occurred in the Pacific on July 8, 1940. The U.S. Pacific Fleet (under Admiral James O. Richardson) strengthened defenses at Pearl Harbor, conducting routine patrols and training exercises. Japan focused on consolidating Asian gains and deploying troops to French Indochina, with no direct Pacific confrontations.
Outcomes: The Pacific remained a latent theatre, with Japan’s preparations foreshadowing its expansionist campaigns in 1941, including the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Asian Theatre

In China, the Japanese 11th Army (under General Tomoyuki Yamashita) consolidated control in Hubei province after capturing Yichang (June 12), securing strategic positions along the Yangtze River. Chinese 5th War Area forces (under General Li Zongren) conducted guerrilla raids, targeting Japanese supply lines and outposts, maintaining resistance despite territorial losses.
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 invasions of Southeast Asia, including Malaya and the Philippines. This move prompted U.S. and British economic sanctions, including oil embargoes, escalating tensions.
Outcomes: Japanese gains in China strengthened their strategic hold but faced persistent Chinese resistance, straining resources. Indochina deployments advanced Japan’s expansionist plans, accelerating the path to war with Western powers.

Key Personalities

Vice Admiral James Somerville: Commanded British Force H during Mers-el-Kébir, navigating diplomatic fallout.
Marshal Philippe Pétain: Led Vichy France, deepening Axis alignment post-Mers-el-Kébir.
Hans Frank: Directed anti-Jewish policies in occupied Poland, enforcing ghettoization.
General Tomoyuki Yamashita: Commanded Japanese forces in China, consolidating Hubei.
Joseph Stalin: Oversaw Soviet consolidation in Bessarabia and Bukovina, shaping Eastern European strategy.

July 8, 1941

Himmler touring a POW camp holding Soviet prisoners in Minsk, 1941

Overview of Key Events

On July 8, 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 escalating Holocaust atrocities through mass executions. In the Mediterranean, Allied forces advanced in the Syria-Lebanon Campaign, weakening Vichy French defences. The U.S. occupation of Iceland, initiated on July 7, continued to secure Atlantic convoy routes. In Asia, Japan’s deployment to French Indochina intensified, escalating tensions with Western powers. Holocaust-related measures, including pogroms and ghettoization, intensified in occupied territories.

European and Atlantic Theatre

Operation Barbarossa:
- Battle of Bialystok-Minsk: On July 8, German Army Group Center (under Field Marshal Fedor von Bock) completed the encirclement of Soviet forces in the Bialystok-Minsk pocket, capturing over 300,000 troops of the Soviet 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), including the 17th Panzer Division and 18th Panzer Division, sealed the pocket, supported by Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 2 (Dornier Do 17 bombers) and Jagdgeschwader 51 (Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters). Soviet attempts to break out, led by the 13th Army, failed against German Panzer IV tanks and infantry.
- Army Group North: German Army Group North (under Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb) advanced toward Pskov after capturing Riga (July 1). On July 8, the 18th Army and 4th Panzer Group (under General Erich Hoepner), including the 1st Panzer Division, engaged Soviet Northwestern Front (under General Fyodor Kuznetsov) and its 8th Army, pushing toward Leningrad with Luftwaffe support from Kampfgeschwader 1 (Heinkel He 111 bombers).
- Army Group South: German Army Group South (under Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt) advanced 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. Einsatzgruppe C, supported by Ukrainian collaborators, continued massacres in Lviv, targeting Jewish communities with shootings and synagogue burnings, following earlier killings of Polish intellectuals.
U.S. Occupation of Iceland: Initiated on July 7, the U.S. occupation of Iceland continued on July 8, with the 1st Marine Brigade (under Colonel Leo D. Hermle) establishing control in Reykjavik to replace British troops and secure Atlantic convoy routes against German U-boats. U.S. Navy Task Force 19 (including USS New York and USS Arkansas) supported the operation, authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. British forces, including the 49th (West Riding) Division, continued their withdrawal, strengthening Allied logistics.
Holocaust-Related Events: Einsatzgruppen, under Reinhard Heydrich’s command, intensified 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, particularly in Riga and Daugavpils. In Ukraine, Einsatzgruppe C’s actions in Lviv included mass shootings, with hundreds of Jews killed in pits or burned in synagogues. In occupied Poland, the Warsaw Ghetto, with over 400,000 Jews, faced worsening conditions—starvation, disease, and forced labour—as SS authorities, including Hans Frank, tightened restrictions, preparing for future deportations to death camps like Treblinka.
Outcomes: The Bialystok-Minsk encirclement crippled the Soviet Western Front, advancing German objectives toward Smolensk. Army Group North and South gains threatened Leningrad and Kiev, though Soviet resistance persisted. The U.S. occupation of Iceland strengthened Atlantic convoy security. Holocaust atrocities escalated genocide, targeting Jewish communities with brutal efficiency.

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 8, 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 with an armistice signed on July 14.
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 8, 1941. The U.S. Pacific Fleet (under Admiral Husband E. Kimmel) strengthened defences at Pearl Harbor, conducting routine patrols and training. Japan focused on consolidating Asian gains and deploying troops to French Indochina, with no direct Pacific confrontations.
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 Fedor von Bock: Led Army Group Centre in the Bialystok-Minsk encirclement.
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.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Authorized U.S. occupation of Iceland to secure Atlantic routes.

July 8, 1942

Australian gunners in action at El Alamein, July 1942

Overview of Key Events

On July 8, 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 consolidated their capture of Voronezh, achieved on July 7, as part of Operation Case Blue, pushing toward the Don River. In the Atlantic, the Convoy PQ 17 disaster saw further losses to German U-boats and aircraft, with attacks continuing from July 4–5. Holocaust deportations from Western Europe and Poland to death camps escalated, marking a peak in Operation Reinhard. In the Pacific, U.S. forces prepared for the Guadalcanal Campaign, set for August. In Asia, Japan consolidated gains in China and the Aleutian Islands, facing Allied resistance.

European and Atlantic Theatre

Operation Case Blue: Following the capture of Voronezh on July 7, German Army Group South (under Field Marshal Fedor von Bock) consolidated positions on July 8. 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), secured Voronezh against Soviet Southwestern Front (under Marshal Semyon Timoshenko) and its 40th Army. The 3rd Panzer Division and 16th Panzer Division, supported by Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 55 (Heinkel He 111 bombers) and Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (Ju 87 Stukas), fortified positions, preparing to advance toward the Don River and Stalingrad. Soviet T-34 tanks and IL-2 Sturmovik aircraft launched counterattacks, slowing German progress.
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 by July 8. The German 54th Corps and Romanian 3rd Mountain Division, supported by Luftwaffe VIII Air Corps (Ju 87 Stukas), secured remaining Soviet positions, having captured over 90,000 prisoners from the Soviet Coastal Army (under General Ivan Petrov). This victory solidified German control but strained resources for Case Blue.
Convoy PQ 17 Disaster: Arctic Convoy PQ 17, en route to the Soviet Union, faced ongoing attacks after Allied escorts withdrew on July 4 due to a mistaken threat from the German battleship Tirpitz. On July 8, German U-boats (including U-456 and U-703) and Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 30 (Ju 88 bombers) continued sinking merchant ships, with 16 of 35 ships lost by this date. British destroyers like HMS Keppel and U.S. ships like USS Wainwright could not protect the scattered convoy, severely disrupting Allied aid to the Soviets.
Holocaust-Related Events: Deportations from the Netherlands and France to Auschwitz-Birkenau, organized by Adolf Eichmann, intensified. On or around July 8, a transport from Westerbork transit camp sent approximately 1,000 Jews to Auschwitz, where most were gassed upon arrival. In occupied Poland, Operation Reinhard progressed, with Jews from ghettos like Zamość and Lublin deported to Belzec death camp under SS-Gruppenführer Odilo Globocnik. The Warsaw Ghetto, with over 400,000 Jews, faced escalating terror, with SS authorities, including Jürgen Stroop, preparing for mass deportations to Treblinka, set to begin on July 22. Ghetto conditions included starvation (daily rations below 200 calories), typhus, and forced labour, with thousands dying monthly.
Outcomes: German consolidation in Voronezh advanced Case Blue objectives, threatening Soviet industrial regions, though resistance persisted. Sevastopol’s fall strengthened German control in Crimea at high cost. PQ 17 losses crippled Soviet aid, exposing Arctic convoy vulnerabilities. Holocaust deportations killed thousands daily, advancing the Final Solution with devastating efficiency.

Mediterranean and African Theatre

First Battle of El Alamein: The battle, ongoing since July 1, saw intense fighting on July 8, with General Erwin Rommel’s Panzer Army Africa, including the 15th Panzer Division, 21st Panzer Division, and Italian XX Corps (Ariete Division), pressing British defences 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.
British and Empire forces launched attacks at Tel el Eisa and Tel el Makh Khad, both of which were captured and held against Axis counter attacks by 15th Panzer and Trieste motorised division. The Australians took 1,500 prisoners.
Outcomes: The Eighth Army’s defence 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 8, 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 defences of the 17th Army (under General Harukichi Hyakutake).
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 from the 8th Route Army (under General Zhu De).
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 following the Midway defeat (June 1942).
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 8, 1943

Soviet troops in a trench as a T-34 passes overhead at Kursk, July 1943

Overview of Key Events

On July 8, 1943, the Battle of Kursk, one of the largest battles in history, continued after Germany’s launch of Operation Citadel on July 5, with intense fighting on the Eastern Front as Soviet forces countered German advances. In the Pacific, the New Georgia Campaign saw U.S. forces advancing against Japanese defences in the Solomon Islands. 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.

European and Atlantic Theatre

Battle of Kursk (Operation Citadel): Launched on July 5, Operation Citadel saw German Army Group South (under Field Marshal Erich von Manstein) and Army Group Center (under Field Marshal Günther von Kluge) attacking the Soviet salient around Kursk. On July 8, the 4th Panzer Army (under General Hermann Hoth), 9th Army (under General Walter Model), and Army Detachment Kempf pressed forward with the 3rd Panzer Division, 11th Panzer Division, and SS Panzer Corps (1st, 2nd, and 3rd SS Panzer Divisions), using Panzer IV, Tiger I, and Panther tanks. Luftwaffe units like Kampfgeschwader 55 (Heinkel He 111 bombers) and Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (Ju 87 Stukas) supported the assault. 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 armor. Intense fighting at Prokhorovka and Ponyri inflicted heavy losses, with Soviet defenses holding key positions, signaling the exhaustion of German offensive capabilities.
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 8, 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 8, 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. In Poland, the Warsaw Ghetto, significantly reduced after the April–May 1943 uprising, saw surviving Jews in hiding or forced labor camps facing ongoing persecution under SS authorities.
Outcomes: The Battle of Kursk saw Soviet forces absorbing German assaults, inflicting significant losses and 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 with brutal efficiency.

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 8, 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 8, 1944

Hawker Typhoon attacking rail line, Normandy 1944

Overview of Key Events

On July 8, 1944, Soviet forces advanced in Operation Bagration, pushing toward Poland after capturing Minsk, severely weakening German Army Group Centre. In Normandy, Allied forces launched Operation Charnwood to capture Caen, with intense fighting against German defences. In the Pacific, the Battle of Saipan neared its conclusion, with U.S. forces securing the island after a massive Japanese banzai attack on July 7. Holocaust deportations from Hungary to Auschwitz-Birkenau continued at their peak, with thousands killed daily. 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 8, the Soviet 5th Guards Tank Army and 65th Army, equipped with T-34 tanks and supported by IL-2 Sturmovik aircraft, pressed toward Baranovichi and Grodno, engaging remnants of German Army Group Center (under Field Marshal Walter Model). The German 4th Army and 9th Army, reinforced by the 5th Panzer Division, attempted to stabilize defenses but were overwhelmed by Soviet numerical superiority.
Normandy Campaign (Operation Overlord): On July 8, the British Second Army (under General Bernard Montgomery) launched 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), including the 51st (Highland) Division and Canadian 3rd Infantry Division, advanced with Sherman tanks, supported by RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force (Hawker Typhoons) and heavy bombardment by HMS Rodney. German 21st Panzer Division and 16th Luftwaffe Field Division resisted fiercely, but Allied forces captured northern Caen by day’s end. U.S. First Army (under General Omar Bradley), including the 2nd Infantry Division, continued pushing 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. British defenses, including anti-aircraft guns and RAF Tempest fighters, improved interception rates but could not fully stop the attacks.
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 carrying thousands of Jews. On or around July 8, approximately 2,000–3,000 Jews were gassed upon arrival at Auschwitz, with others selected for forced labor in subcamps like Buna-Monowitz. In Poland, the Łódź Ghetto faced intensified deportations to Auschwitz and Chelmno, with SS authorities under Hans Biebow targeting remaining workers and families. The Warsaw Ghetto, reduced after the 1943 uprising, saw surviving Jews in hiding or forced labor camps facing ongoing persecution.
Outcomes: Soviet advances in Bagration crippled Army Group Center, shifting Eastern Front momentum toward Poland. Operation Charnwood secured northern Caen, strengthening Allied positions in Normandy. V-1 attacks disrupted British civilians but had limited strategic impact. Holocaust deportations decimated Hungary’s Jewish population, advancing the Final Solution.

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, preparing amphibious landings and coordinating with French Resistance groups.
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): Following the massive Japanese banzai attack on July 7, which killed over 4,300 Japanese and nearly 1,000 U.S. troops, U.S. forces, including the 2nd Marine Division, 4th Marine Division, and 27th Infantry Division (under Lieutenant General Holland Smith), secured Saipan on July 8. Supported by Task Force 58 (under Admiral Marc Mitscher), including USS Tennessee for naval bombardment, U.S. troops mopped up remaining Japanese resistance. The island’s capture, finalized by July 9, marked a major victory, with Japanese commanders Lieutenant General Yoshitsugu Saito and Admiral Chuichi Nagumo having committed suicide.
Outcomes: Saipan’s capture secured the Mariana Islands, providing airfields for B-29 bombers and weakening Japan’s defensive perimeter, contributing to the fall of Prime Minister Hideki Tojo’s government later in July.

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 by the 74th Army, slowed Japanese progress.
India-Burma Theatre: On July 8, the Japanese 15th Army (under General Renya Mutaguchi) completed its withdrawal from Imphal, India, 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 near the Chindwin River, supported by RAF No. 221 Group (Hurricane fighters).
Outcomes: Japanese gains in China threatened Allied airfields but faced resistance, limiting consolidation. The Japanese withdrawal from Imphal marked a significant Allied victory, strengthening control in the India-Burma theatre.

Key Personalities

General Konstantin Rokossovsky: Commanded Soviet 1st Belorussian Front in Bagration.
General Bernard Montgomery: Led British Second Army in Operation Charnwood.
Lieutenant General Holland Smith: Directed U.S. forces on Saipan.
Adolf Eichmann: Oversaw Hungarian deportations.
General William Slim: Led British 14th Army in the Imphal victory.
General Yasuji Okamura: Led Operation Ichi-Go in China.

July 8, 1945

Class portrait of children at Schauenstien Displaced Persons Camp, unknown date 1946

Overview of Key Events

On July 8, 1945, the European war had ended with Germany’s surrender on May 8, 1945, and efforts focused on 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, following the campaign’s end on June 22, while General Douglas MacArthur’s announcement of the Philippines’ liberation on July 5 marked a strategic milestone. In Asia, Japanese forces retreated in China and Burma under Allied pressure. Holocaust-related efforts cantered on Displaced Persons (DP) camps, addressing survivor needs amid challenges like antisemitism and repatriation difficulties.

European and Atlantic Theatre

Post-War Occupation: Following 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, operational since June 28, 1945, consolidated Soviet-backed governance. Allied efforts focused on denazification, rebuilding infrastructure, and managing over 7 million Displaced Persons (DPs), including 50,000–100,000 Jewish survivors.
Holocaust-Related Events: Jewish survivors were primarily housed in DP camps such as Feldafing and Landsberg (U.S. zone, Germany), Bergen-Belsen (British zone, Germany), and Santa Cesarea (Italy). On or around July 8, survivors faced ongoing challenges:
- Conditions: At Bergen-Belsen, liberated on April 15, 1945, by British forces, survivors endured lingering effects of typhus, dysentery, and malnutrition, with daily caloric intake often below 1,500 calories. British medical units, including the 32nd Casualty Clearing Station, worked to stabilize survivors, but post-liberation deaths continued due to weakened conditions. Feldafing, an all-Jewish camp, saw survivors organizing self-governance, education, and cultural activities like Yiddish theater to rebuild community identity, though psychological trauma and resource shortages persisted.
- Relief Efforts: The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) provided food, medical care, and family tracing services. On July 8, JDC teams distributed kosher food and religious materials in camps like Feldafing, but logistical constraints limited aid to about 30% of needed supplies.
- Antisemitism and Repatriation: In Poland, antisemitic violence, such as attacks in Kraków and Lublin, deterred repatriation, with dozens of Jews killed in summer 1945 pogroms. Approximately 200,000 Polish Jewish survivors faced hostility, prompting many to seek emigration to Palestine or Western countries. Zionist groups, led by David Ben-Gurion, organized clandestine emigration (Aliyah Bet) to bypass British restrictions under the 1939 White Paper.
- War Crimes Trials: Preparations for the Nuremberg Trials (set for November 1945) advanced, with the United Nations War Crimes Commission collecting survivor testimonies and evidence from camps like Dachau (liberated April 29, 1945) and Buchenwald (liberated April 8, 1945), including gas chamber documentation and mass grave findings.
Outcomes: Soviet occupation shaped Eastern Europe’s post-war landscape, setting the stage for Cold War tensions. Holocaust survivors struggled in under-resourced DP camps, with antisemitism blocking repatriation and fueling Zionist emigration efforts. Trial preparations laid groundwork for justice, though limited in scope, leaving many perpetrators unprosecuted initially.

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 8. 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 strategic ridges.
Philippines Liberation: Following General Douglas MacArthur’s July 5 announcement of the Philippines’ liberation, U.S. Sixth Army (under General Walter Krueger) and Eighth Army (under General Robert Eichelberger), supported by Filipino guerrillas, conducted mopping-up operations against isolated Japanese pockets of the 14th Area Army (under General Tomoyuki Yamashita). On July 8, operations focused on Luzon and Mindanao, neutralizing remaining resistance.
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 8, 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 Philippines’ liberation restored Allied control, weakening Japanese logistics. Australian advances in Balikpapan secured Borneo’s oil fields, a key resource. 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 8, 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 8, 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: Oversaw the Philippines’ liberation, announced on July 5.
Edward Osóbka-Morawski: Led the Polish Provisional Government, influencing Jewish repatriation challenges.
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.
David Ben-Gurion: Advocated for Jewish emigration to Palestine, shaping survivor aspirations.