Each Day in World War II – 1st July

July 1, 1940

Heinkel HE-111 bombers over the English Channel, 1940

Overview of Key Events

On July 1, 1940, Germany continued consolidating control over occupied France and the Channel Islands, while the Battle of Britain loomed with increased Luftwaffe activity. The Soviet Union completed its occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina. Italian air raids targeted Malta, escalating the Mediterranean conflict. In Asia, Japan strengthened its hold in China and negotiated for basing rights in French Indochina. Holocaust-related measures intensified in occupied Poland and Western Europe, focusing on ghettoization and anti-Jewish laws.

European and Atlantic Theatre

German Occupation of the Channel Islands: On July 1, 1940, German forces completed the initial phase of occupying the British Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark), the only British territory occupied during the war. Following Luftwaffe bombings on June 28 and landings on June 30 by the 216th Infantry Division (under Generalmajor Hermann von Chappuis), German troops established garrisons. On July 1, Jersey was formally occupied, with German authorities issuing proclamations to the civilian population, enforcing curfews and requisitions.
Post-Battle of France Consolidation: After 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 Lyon, while the Vichy French government (under Marshal Philippe Pétain) implemented collaborationist policies in unoccupied France, including anti-Jewish laws.
Soviet Occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina: The Soviet Red Army, under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, finalized its occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina from Romania, begun on June 28. On July 1, the Soviet 9th Army (under General Ivan Boldin) and 12th Army completed control of key cities like Chișinău, facing minimal Romanian resistance. Joseph Stalin’s directive expanded Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.
Battle of Britain Prelude: Luftwaffe reconnaissance and probing attacks increased over southern England, targeting RAF airfields and coastal defenses. On July 1, Kampfgeschwader 1 (Heinkel He 111 bombers) conducted small-scale raids, countered by RAF Fighter Command (under Air Marshal Hugh Dowding) with Spitfires and Hurricanes of No. 11 Group. These actions 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) intensified anti-Jewish measures. The Warsaw Ghetto, with over 400,000 Jews, faced stricter confinement, forced labor, and food shortages. In Kraków, ghettoization confined Jews to overcrowded districts with limited resources. In occupied France, Nazi authorities expanded Jewish registration, setting the stage for future deportations.
Outcomes: The Channel Islands’ occupation was a symbolic German victory, though strategically minor. German control in France and Vichy collaboration solidified Axis dominance in Western Europe. Soviet annexations strengthened their Eastern European position, straining Axis relations. Early Luftwaffe raids set the stage for the Battle of Britain. Holocaust measures escalated persecution, laying groundwork for mass atrocities.

Mediterranean and African Theatre

Siege of Malta: Italian Regia Aeronautica continued bombing raids on Malta, a vital British stronghold. On July 1, 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.
Outcomes: Italian attacks caused damage but failed to neutralize Malta’s strategic role, as British defenses held firm.

Pacific Theatre

No significant military engagements occurred in the Pacific on July 1, 1940. The U.S. Pacific Fleet (under Admiral James O. Richardson) strengthened defenses at Pearl Harbor, while Japan focused on Asian campaigns and negotiations for Southeast Asian expansion.
Outcomes: The Pacific remained quiet, 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.
Japan, led by Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka, finalized agreements with Vichy France in late June–early July for basing rights in French Indochina, positioning troops for future Southeast Asian invasions, including Malaya and the Philippines.
Outcomes: Japanese gains in China strengthened their strategic hold but faced persistent Chinese resistance. Indochina agreements advanced Japan’s expansionist plans, escalating tensions with Western powers.

Key Personalities

General Gerd von Rundstedt: Oversaw German occupation of France.
Marshal Philippe Pétain: Led Vichy France’s collaborationist government.
Hans Frank: Directed anti-Jewish policies in occupied Poland.
Joseph Stalin: Ordered Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Bukovina.
General Tomoyuki Yamashita: Commanded Japanese forces in China.

July 1, 1941

Overview of Key Events

On July 1, 1941, Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union launched on June 22, saw continued German advances on the Eastern Front, particularly in Belarus and Ukraine, with the capture of key cities. In the Mediterranean, Allied forces achieved a significant victory in the Syria-Lebanon Campaign by capturing Palmyra. Holocaust atrocities escalated with Einsatzgruppen mass executions in occupied Soviet territories. In Asia, Japan consolidated its position in China and secured basing rights in French Indochina, escalating regional tensions.

European and Atlantic Theatre

Operation Barbarossa:
- Capture of Riga: On July 1, 1941, German Army Group North (under Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb) captured Riga, Latvia, a major Baltic city. The 18th Army and 4th Panzer Group (under General Erich Hoepner), including the 1st Panzer Division, overcame Soviet Northwestern Front (under General Fyodor Kuznetsov) and its 8th Army, supported by Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 1 (Heinkel He 111 bombers). The rapid advance disrupted Soviet defenses and facilitated German movement toward Leningrad.
- Ongoing Operations: Army Group Center (under Field Marshal Fedor von Bock), including the 3rd Panzer Group (under General Hermann Hoth) and 2nd Panzer Group (under General Heinz Guderian), continued mopping up the Minsk pocket (captured June 28), encircling over 300,000 Soviet troops of the Western Front (under General Dmitry Pavlov). Army Group South (under Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt) pushed toward Kiev, engaging Soviet Southwestern Front (under General Mikhail Kirponos) and its 5th Army with T-34 tanks.
Holocaust-Related Events: Einsatzgruppen, under Reinhard Heydrich’s command, intensified mass executions in occupied Soviet territories. In Latvia, following Riga’s capture, Einsatzgruppe A (under SS-Obersturmbannführer Franz Walter Stahlecker) and local collaborators conducted shootings and pogroms, killing thousands of Jews in early July. In Ukraine and Belarus, Einsatzgruppen B and C targeted Jewish communities, with massacres in cities like Lviv. In occupied Poland, the Warsaw Ghetto, with over 400,000 Jews, faced worsening conditions, including starvation and forced labor.
Outcomes: The capture of Riga advanced German control in the Baltics, weakening Soviet defenses. Ongoing Barbarossa operations disrupted Soviet forces, though resistance persisted. Holocaust atrocities marked a brutal escalation of genocide, with thousands killed.

Mediterranean and African Theatre

Syria-Lebanon Campaign (Operation Exporter): On July 1, 1941, 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, captured Palmyra, Syria, from Vichy French forces (under General Henri Dentz). The 1st/Cheshire Regiment and Free French units, supported by No. 3 Squadron RAAF (Hawker Hurricanes) and Royal Navy ships like HMS Ajax, overcame Vichy 6th Foreign Legion defenses. The capture of Palmyra, a strategic desert outpost, disrupted Vichy supply lines and advanced Allied control toward Beirut.
Outcomes: The Palmyra victory weakened Vichy French positions, paving the way for the campaign’s conclusion in July 1941, securing the Levant for the Allies.

Pacific Theatre

No significant military engagements occurred in the Pacific on July 1, 1941. The U.S. Pacific Fleet (under Admiral Husband E. Kimmel) continued defensive preparations at Pearl Harbor, while Japan focused on consolidating Asian gains and planning future offensives. Tensions escalated after Japan secured basing rights in French Indochina, prompting U.S. economic measures.
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.
On June 29–30, Japan’s Southern Army (under General Hisaichi Terauchi) finalized agreements with Vichy France for basing rights in French Indochina, positioning troops for planned invasions of Southeast Asia. On July 1, Japanese forces began deploying to southern Indochina, escalating tensions with Western powers.
Outcomes: Japanese operations in China faced persistent resistance, limiting consolidation. Indochina deployments strengthened Japan’s strategic position, setting the stage for 1941–1942 offensives.

Key Personalities

Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb: Led Army Group North in capturing Riga.
Reinhard Heydrich: Directed Einsatzgruppen mass executions.
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 1, 1942

Overview of Key Events

On July 1, 1942, the First Battle of El Alamein began in North Africa, marking a critical Allied stand against German and Italian forces. On the Eastern Front, Germany’s Operation Case Blue advanced, with the capture of Sevastopol after a prolonged siege. Holocaust deportations from Western Europe to death camps intensified, and in the Pacific, the U.S. continued preparations for the Guadalcanal Campaign. In Asia, Japan consolidated gains in China and the Aleutians.

European and Atlantic Theatre

Operation Case Blue: Following its launch on June 28, German Army Group South (under Field Marshal Fedor von Bock) pressed toward Voronezh and the Caucasus. On July 1, 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), advanced against Soviet Southwestern Front (under Marshal Semyon Timoshenko). The 3rd Panzer Division and 16th Panzer Division, supported by Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwader 55 (Heinkel He 111 bombers) and Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (Ju 87 Stukas), engaged Soviet 40th Army near the Donets River, overcoming defenses but facing logistical strains.
Fall of Sevastopol: On July 1, 1942, German 11th Army (under General Erich von Manstein) completed the capture of Sevastopol, Crimea, after a nine-month siege. The German 54th Corps and Romanian 3rd Mountain Division, supported by Luftwaffe VIII Air Corps (Ju 87 Stukas), overwhelmed Soviet Coastal Army (under General Ivan Petrov), capturing over 90,000 Soviet troops. The victory secured Crimea but exhausted German resources.
Holocaust-Related Events: Deportations from the Netherlands and France to Auschwitz-Birkenau, organized by Adolf Eichmann, continued. On or around July 1, 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 (starting July 22).
Outcomes: The fall of Sevastopol strengthened German control in Crimea, though at high cost. Case Blue’s advance threatened Soviet industrial regions, but resistance slowed progress. Holocaust deportations killed thousands, advancing the Final Solution.

Mediterranean and African Theatre

First Battle of El Alamein: On July 1, 1942, General Erwin Rommel’s Panzer Army Africa, including the 15th Panzer Division, 21st Panzer Division, and Italian XX Corps (Ariete Division), launched an assault on British defenses at El Alamein, Egypt. The British Eighth Army (under General Claude Auchinleck, who assumed direct command after relieving General Neil Ritchie) 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). The battle aimed to halt Rommel’s advance toward the Suez Canal.
Outcomes: The First Battle of El Alamein marked a critical Allied stand, preventing Axis capture of Egypt and stabilizing the North African front.

Pacific Theatre

The U.S. Pacific Fleet (under Admiral Chester Nimitz) finalized preparations for the Guadalcanal Campaign, set for August 1942. On July 1, 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 set the stage for the Guadalcanal offensive, marking a shift to Allied counteroffensives in the Pacific.

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), stretching supply lines.
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 capturing 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 1, 1943

Abba Kovner, leader of Jewish Partisans, Vilnius 1942 – 1944

Overview of Key Events

On July 1, 1943, the Allies continued preparations for the invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky), while the New Georgia Campaign advanced in the Pacific. On the Eastern Front, German and Soviet forces finalized plans for the imminent Battle of Kursk. Holocaust liquidations and deportations intensified, notably in Poland and the Netherlands. In Asia, Japanese forces consolidated positions in China and New Guinea.

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) finalized preparations for Operation Citadel, set to begin 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) strengthened defenses with T-34 tanks, anti-tank guns, and minefields, including the 13th Army and 5th Guards Army.
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 1, RAF No. 5 Group (Avro Lancasters) targeted Cologne, while the 100th Bomb Group (B-17 Flying Fortresses) struck U-boat pens 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 1, the remaining few thousand 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 both sides committing massive resources. Allied air raids inflicted damage on German infrastructure, though at significant 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.
Outcomes: Allied preparations ensured a coordinated assault on Sicily, pressuring Axis forces and diverting German resources from other fronts.

Pacific Theatre

New Georgia Campaign: Launched on June 30, 1943, the U.S.-led New Georgia Campaign in the Solomon Islands progressed under Admiral William F. Halsey. On July 1, the 43rd Infantry Division (under Major General John H. Hester) and 4th Marine Raider Battalion consolidated landings at Segi Point and 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.
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 used 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 braced 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.
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 1, 1944

Germans surrendering to US forces in Italy, 1944

Overview of Key Events

On July 1, 1944, Allied forces advanced in Normandy following the D-Day landings, with significant progress after capturing Cherbourg. Soviet forces pressed forward in Operation Bagration, capturing Minsk. Holocaust deportations from Hungary to Auschwitz-Birkenau continued at their peak. In the Pacific, U.S. troops battled intensely on Saipan, while in Asia, Japan’s Operation Ichi-Go advanced in China, and Japanese forces retreated in the India-Burma theatre.

European and Atlantic Theatre

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, continued operations around 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. The recent capture of Cherbourg (June 30) by VII Corps (under Major General J. Lawton Collins) secured a vital supply port, despite German demolitions.
Operation Bagration: Soviet forces, including the 1st Belorussian Front (under General Konstantin Rokossovsky) and 3rd Belorussian Front (under General Ivan Chernyakhovsky), advanced toward Minsk, Belarus, following the liberation of Bobruisk (June 29). On July 1, the Soviet 5th Guards Tank Army and 65th Army pressed German Army Group Center (under Field Marshal Walter Model, who replaced Ernst Busch), targeting the 4th Army and remnants of the 9th Army. T-34 tanks and IL-2 Sturmovik aircraft overwhelmed German defenses, setting the stage for Minsk’s capture on July 3.
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 1, 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: Allied advances in Normandy strengthened their position, though Caen’s capture was delayed. Operation Bagration’s success crippled Army Group Center, shifting Eastern Front momentum to the Soviets. 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 progress 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. By July 1, U.S. troops advanced north from Mount Tapotchau, facing heavy resistance from Japanese bunkers 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.

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, pushed toward Changsha, which fell by early July. Chinese resistance, including guerrilla tactics, slowed Japanese advances.
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 Omar Bradley: Led U.S. First Army in Normandy.
General Konstantin Rokossovsky: Commanded Soviet 1st Belorussian Front in Bagration.
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 1, 1945

Overview of Key Events

On July 1, 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 began in Borneo, a significant Australian-led operation. 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.
Holocaust-Related Events: Holocaust survivors in Displaced Persons (DP) camps, such as Feldafing (U.S.-administered) and Bergen-Belsen (British-administered), struggled with food shortages, disease, and repatriation challenges. On July 1, relief efforts by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration) provided medical care, clothing, and tracing services to locate relatives. Antisemitic attacks in Poland, such as in Kraków, hindered survivor returns.
Outcomes: Soviet occupation shaped Eastern Europe’s post-war landscape, setting the stage for Cold War tensions. Holocaust survivors faced ongoing humanitarian challenges, 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 and repatriation of displaced populations.
Outcomes: The Mediterranean transitioned to post-war stabilization, with Allied efforts centered on demobilization and humanitarian aid.

Pacific Theatre

Battle of Balikpapan: On July 1, 1945, Australian 7th Division (under Major General Edward Milford) launched the Battle of Balikpapan in Borneo, part of Operation Oboe. The 2/9th Battalion, 2/10th Battalion, and 2/1st Pioneer Battalion landed on Balikpapan’s coast, supported by RAAF No. 76 Squadron (P-40 Kittyhawk fighters), U.S. Navy Task Force 74 (including USS Phoenix), and Dutch KNIL units. They engaged Japanese 37th Army (under Lieutenant General Masao Baba), capturing key oil facilities despite resistance from fortified positions and Type 95 Ha-Go tanks.
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 1, 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 kamikaze attacks by A6M Zero fighters.
Outcomes: The Balikpapan victory 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 1, 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).
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.