German soldier salute their officers at a Parisian café – July 1940
Overview of Key Events
On July 20, 1940, the world was entrenched in the early stages of World War II, with significant activity across multiple theatres. In Europe, the Battle of Britain intensified as Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe continued its aerial assaults on the United Kingdom, aiming to weaken British defences for a potential invasion. The Atlantic saw ongoing naval skirmishes as part of the Battle of the Atlantic, with German U-boats targeting Allied shipping. In the Mediterranean, Italian forces were engaged in North Africa, while the siege of Malta persisted. In Asia, Japanese military expansion continued, with tensions rising due to their occupation of French Indochina. No specific Holocaust-related events, but the broader context of Jewish persecution was escalating.
European and Atlantic Theatre
In the European Theatre, the Battle of Britain was in its early phase, following the Luftwaffe’s initial large-scale attacks on July 10. On July 20, German aircraft continued to target British airfields, ports, and shipping in the English Channel, aiming to cripple the Royal Air Force (RAF) and disrupt supply lines. The RAF, under Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, mounted a fierce defense, utilizing Spitfires and Hurricanes to counter German Messerschmitt Bf 109s and bombers like the Heinkel He 111. Specific engagements on this date included skirmishes over southern England, with the Luftwaffe testing British radar and fighter response capabilities. The British reported losses but maintained operational strength, with approximately 600 fighters available to counter the German air offensive.
In the Atlantic, the Battle of the Atlantic was ongoing, with German U-boats, such as U-47 commanded by Günther Prien, intensifying attacks on Allied convoys. On July 20, U-boats patrolled the North Atlantic, targeting merchant ships carrying vital supplies to Britain. The Royal Navy’s escort vessels, including destroyers like HMS Brazen, faced challenges protecting convoys against wolfpack tactics. No specific sinkings are recorded for this exact date, but the broader campaign saw significant losses, with the Allies losing thousands of tons of shipping weekly during this period.
Jewish Affairs: While no specific Holocaust-related events are documented for July 20, 1940, the broader persecution of Jews was accelerating. In occupied Poland, the Nazis were establishing ghettos, with the Warsaw Ghetto’s formation underway, though its official sealing occurred later in October 1940. In Western Europe, following the fall of France in June, Jews in Vichy France faced increasing restrictions under the collaborationist regime, including the revocation of citizenship for naturalized Jews. The Nazis’ Einsatzgruppen units were active in Poland, conducting sporadic massacres of Jewish and Polish intellectuals, though specific actions on this date are not detailed. The “Final Solution” was not yet formalized, but anti-Semitic policies were intensifying, laying the groundwork for future atrocities. Jewish communities responded with underground organizations, such as the Zionist youth movements in Poland, beginning to form resistance networks.
Outcome: The RAF’s resilience in the Battle of Britain prevented Germany from achieving air superiority, a critical factor in delaying Operation Sea Lion, the planned invasion of Britain. In the Atlantic, Allied convoys suffered losses, but technological advancements like ASDIC (sonar) were beginning to counter U-boat threats. Jewish communities faced mounting oppression, with no immediate relief, as the Allies were focused on military survival.
Mediterranean and African Theatre
In the Mediterranean, the siege of Malta continued, with Italian Regia Aeronautica aircraft bombing the British-held island. On July 20, Italian SM.79 bombers targeted Maltese airfields and harbors, aiming to neutralize the island as a British naval base. The British defenders, equipped with a small number of Gloster Gladiator biplanes, managed to repel some attacks, though the island’s defenses were strained. In North Africa, Italian forces under Marshal Rodolfo Graziani were preparing for an offensive into Egypt from Libya, but no major engagements occurred on this date. The Italian 10th Army was mobilizing, with approximately 140,000 troops, though logistical challenges delayed significant action until September.
Outcome: Malta remained a thorn in the Axis’ side, disrupting their supply lines to North Africa. The Italian buildup in Libya set the stage for future clashes, but the British maintained control of Egypt and the Suez Canal, critical for Allied supply routes.
Pacific Theatre
No significant Japanese military activity is recorded in the Pacific Theatre for July 20, 1940. The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) was consolidating its positions following earlier expansions, with focus on planning further operations in Southeast Asia. The United States, not yet at war, was increasing its naval presence in the Pacific, with the Pacific Fleet based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, under Admiral James O. Richardson. Tensions were rising due to U.S. economic sanctions, including oil and steel embargoes, in response to Japanese aggression in China and Indochina.
Outcome: The Pacific remained relatively quiet, but Japan’s strategic planning foreshadowed future conflicts, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands.
Asian Theatre
In Asia, Japan’s occupation of northern French Indochina, begun in September 1940, was in its preparatory stages. On July 20, Japanese forces were negotiating with the Vichy French administration to secure bases in Tonkin, though formal occupation did not occur until later. The Second Sino-Japanese War continued, with Japanese troops, including the 11th Army under General Tomoyuki Yamashita, engaged in operations in central China. No specific battles are noted for this date, but Japanese forces were consolidating control over occupied territories, facing guerrilla resistance from Chinese Nationalist and Communist forces. The “Three Alls Policy” (Kill All, Burn All, Loot All) was being implemented in occupied areas, causing significant civilian casualties, though exact figures for this date are unavailable.
Outcome: Japan’s expansion in Indochina heightened tensions with the Western Allies, particularly the U.S., while the ongoing war in China drained Japanese resources, limiting their immediate offensive capabilities.
Key Personalities
Winston Churchill: British Prime Minister, leading the war effort and rallying the nation during the Battle of Britain. On July 20, he was focused on coordinating RAF defenses and securing U.S. support through Lend-Lease discussions.
Hugh Dowding: Commander of RAF Fighter Command, instrumental in orchestrating Britain’s air defense strategy against the Luftwaffe.
Günther Prien: German U-boat commander, whose operations in the Atlantic posed a significant threat to Allied shipping.
Rodolfo Graziani: Italian Marshal, preparing for the North African campaign, though facing logistical challenges.
Tomoyuki Yamashita: Japanese general, leading operations in China and planning further expansion in Southeast Asia.
World War II Events on July 20, 1941
Yakov Dzhugashvili, taken prisoner during the Battle of Smolensk – 1941
Overview of Key Events
On July 20, 1941, World War II was at a critical juncture, with significant developments across multiple theatres. The Eastern Front dominated the war, as Nazi Germany’s Operation Barbarossa, launched on June 22, 1941, saw intense fighting in the Soviet Union. The Battle of Smolensk was ongoing, with German forces pushing toward Moscow. In the Atlantic, the Battle of the Atlantic continued with German U-boats targeting Allied convoys. In the Mediterranean, British and Axis forces clashed in North Africa, while the siege of Malta persisted. In Asia, Japanese military planning for further expansion intensified, though no major actions occurred on this date. A key event for July 20, 1941, is the establishment of the Majdanek concentration camp near Lublin, Poland, a significant Holocaust-related development.
European and Atlantic Theatre
On the Eastern Front, the Battle of Smolensk (July 10–September 10, 1941) saw fierce combat as German Army Group Center, led by Field Marshal Fedor von Bock, advanced against Soviet forces. On July 20, German Panzer Group 2 (under General Heinz Guderian) and Panzer Group 3 (under General Hermann Hoth) were encircling Soviet troops near Smolensk, capturing thousands of prisoners including Yakov Dzhugashvili, the son of Stalin. The German 7th Panzer Division and 20th Panzer Division were heavily engaged, facing resistance from the Soviet 16th Army and 20th Army under General Konstantin Rokossovsky. Despite Soviet counterattacks, the Germans were closing the pocket, aiming to destroy Soviet forces west of Moscow.
In the Atlantic, the Battle of the Atlantic continued with German U-boats, such as U-203 under Kapitänleutnant Rolf Mützelburg, targeting Allied merchant shipping. On July 20, no specific sinkings are recorded, but U-boats were active in the North Atlantic, disrupting convoys like HX-133, which had faced losses earlier in the month. The Royal Navy’s escort vessels, including corvettes like HMS Azalea, were deploying improved anti-submarine tactics, though the U-boat threat remained severe.
Jewish Affairs: The establishment of the Majdanek concentration camp on July 20, 1941, near Lublin, Poland, marks a significant escalation in the Holocaust (key event). Initially intended as a labour camp for Soviet prisoners of war and Polish civilians, Majdanek quickly became a site for the systematic extermination of Jews, with gas chambers operational by late 1941. Administered by the SS under Commandant Karl Otto Koch, the camp’s creation followed Heinrich Himmler’s orders to expand extermination facilities in the General Government. Elsewhere, the Einsatzgruppen, mobile killing squads, were active in occupied Soviet territories, conducting mass shootings of Jews, as seen in earlier pogroms like the Kaunas pogrom in June 1941. In the Warsaw Ghetto, sealed since October 1940, Jews faced starvation and disease, with over 400,000 confined under brutal conditions. Jewish resistance was emerging, with groups like the Jewish Combat Organization forming clandestinely to share information and plan uprisings.
Outcome: On the Eastern Front, German forces gained ground in the Battle of Smolensk, but Soviet resistance delayed their advance, foreshadowing prolonged fighting. In the Atlantic, Allied convoys continued to suffer losses, though improved escorts mitigated some damage. The establishment of Majdanek marked a grim step toward the “Final Solution,” with Jewish communities facing increasing persecution and limited means of resistance.
Mediterranean and African Theatre
In North Africa, the Western Desert Campaign saw a lull after Operation Battleaxe’s failure in June 1941. British forces, including the 7th Armoured Division (the “Desert Rats”), were regrouping in Egypt under General Claude Auchinleck, preparing for future offensives like Operation Crusader. Italian and German forces under General Erwin Rommel, commanding the Afrika Korps, were fortifying positions around Tobruk, which remained under siege by Axis forces. No major engagements occurred on July 20, but both sides were resupplying, with Rommel’s Panzergruppe Afrika, including the 15th Panzer Division, preparing for renewed offensives.
In the Mediterranean, the siege of Malta continued, with Italian and German aircraft bombing the island. On July 20, Luftwaffe Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers targeted Maltese airfields, met by limited RAF defences, including Hurricane fighters. The island’s strategic importance disrupted Axis supply lines to North Africa, making it a focal point of Axis air raids.
Outcome: The stalemate in North Africa favoured the Axis, as Tobruk remained besieged, but British preparations laid the groundwork for future counteroffensives. Malta’s resilience strained Axis logistics, maintaining Allied presence in the Mediterranean.
Pacific Theatre
No significant Japanese military activity is recorded in the Pacific Theatre for July 20, 1941. The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), under Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, was planning the Pearl Harbor attack (executed December 7, 1941), but operations on this date were limited to routine patrols and training. The U.S. Pacific Fleet, based at Pearl Harbor under Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, was expanding its defences in response to growing tensions, particularly after U.S. oil embargoes against Japan.
Outcome: The Pacific remained calm, but Japan’s strategic preparations signaled impending escalation, with the U.S. unaware of the scale of planned attacks.
Asian Theatre
In the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese forces, including the 3rd Army under General Masaharu Homma, continued operations in China, particularly in Hunan and Hubei provinces. On July 20, no major battles are noted, but Japanese troops faced ongoing guerrilla resistance from Chinese Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-shek and Communist forces led by Mao Zedong. Japan’s occupation of northern French Indochina, formalized in 1940, was expanding, with Japanese troops pressuring Vichy French authorities for additional bases in southern Indochina, a move completed by late July 1941. This escalation prompted stronger U.S. sanctions, including the freezing of Japanese assets.
Outcome: Japan’s consolidation in Indochina heightened tensions with the Allies, while the war in China remained a resource-intensive stalemate, with Chinese resistance preventing full Japanese control.
Key Personalities
Adolf Hitler: Führer of Nazi Germany, overseeing Operation Barbarossa and pushing for rapid advances on the Eastern Front.
Heinz Guderian: German general leading Panzer Group 2, instrumental in the encirclement at Smolensk.
Konstantin Rokossovsky: Soviet general commanding the 16th Army, organizing defenses against German advances.
Erwin Rommel: Commander of the Afrika Korps, fortifying Axis positions in North Africa.
Heinrich Himmler: SS leader, orchestrating the Holocaust, including the establishment of Majdanek.
Claude Auchinleck: British general in North Africa, preparing for counteroffensives against Rommel.
World War II Events on July 20, 1942
Soldier of 19th Panzer with MG34 – July 1942
Overview of Key Events
On July 20, 1942, World War II saw intense activity across multiple theatres, with the Eastern Front dominating as German forces advanced in the Soviet Union during Operation Blue. The Battle of Stalingrad was in its early stages, while the Battle of the Atlantic continued to threaten Allied supply lines. In the Mediterranean, Axis and Allied forces clashed in North Africa, and the Pacific Theatre saw Japanese consolidation after earlier conquests. The Holocaust escalated with significant developments in deportations and extermination policies. A key event listed for July 20, 1942, iis the intensification of deportations from the Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka extermination camp, a critical moment in the Holocaust.
European and Atlantic Theatre (Including Jewish Affairs)
On the Eastern Front, German Army Group South, under Field Marshal Wilhelm List, was advancing as part of Operation Blue, aiming to capture the Caucasus oil fields and Stalingrad. On July 20, the German 6th Army, led by General Friedrich Paulus, was approaching the Don River, engaging Soviet forces of the 62nd Army under General Vasily Chuikov in preliminary skirmishes west of Stalingrad. The German 1st Panzer Army and 17th Army were also pushing south toward Rostov-on-Don, facing resistance from Soviet South Front troops. These early engagements set the stage for the brutal Battle of Stalingrad, which would intensify in August.
In the Atlantic, the Battle of the Atlantic remained critical, with German U-boats, such as U-156 under Korvettenkapitän Werner Hartenstein, targeting Allied convoys. On July 20, no specific sinkings are recorded, but U-boats were active off the U.S. East Coast and in the mid-Atlantic, sinking merchant ships at a rate that strained Allied resources. The Royal Navy and U.S. Navy, using destroyers like USS Lansdowne and corvettes, were improving convoy escorts with better radar and depth charges, but losses remained high.
Jewish Affairs: The intensification of deportations from the Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka extermination camp, beginning around July 20, 1942, marks a significant escalation in the Holocaust. Following the Wannsee Conference in January 1942, the Nazis accelerated the “Final Solution,” with Treblinka, operational since July 1942, becoming a primary extermination site. Under Operation Reinhard, SS and police units, overseen by Odilo Globocnik, began mass deportations from the Warsaw Ghetto, where over 400,000 Jews were confined. On July 20, preparations for these deportations were underway, with the first major transports starting days later, sending thousands to their deaths in Treblinka’s gas chambers. In other regions, Einsatzgruppen continued mass shootings in occupied Soviet territories, targeting Jewish communities in Ukraine and Belarus. Jewish resistance grew, with the Jewish Combat Organization (ŻOB) in the Warsaw Ghetto, led by figures like Mordechai Anielewicz, organizing to resist deportations, though armed uprisings were still months away.
Outcome: On the Eastern Front, German advances gained ground but faced stiffening Soviet resistance, foreshadowing the costly Stalingrad campaign. In the Atlantic, Allied convoys endured heavy losses, but improved anti-submarine tactics began to counter U-boat effectiveness. The Holocaust’s escalation through deportations to Treblinka marked a horrific phase, with Jewish resistance organizing under dire conditions.
Mediterranean and African Theatre
In North Africa, the First Battle of El Alamein (July 1–27, 1942) was ongoing, with British 8th Army, under General Claude Auchinleck, holding defensive lines against General Erwin Rommel’s Panzerarmee Afrika. On July 20, German and Italian forces, including the 21st Panzer Division and Italian Ariete Division, launched probing attacks near the Ruweisat Ridge, met by British and Commonwealth troops, including the 9th Australian Division. The battle stabilized the front, preventing Axis capture of Alexandria and the Suez Canal. In the Mediterranean, the siege of Malta continued, with Luftwaffe and Italian Regia Aeronautica aircraft, including Ju 88 bombers, targeting the island’s defences. RAF Hurricanes and Spitfires, supported by ground-based anti-aircraft guns, repelled attacks, though supplies remained critically low.
Outcome: The British held El Alamein, halting Rommel’s advance and preserving Allied control of Egypt. Malta’s resistance disrupted Axis supply lines, weakening their North African campaign.
Pacific Theatre
In the Pacific, Japanese forces were consolidating gains after the Battle of Midway (June 1942). On July 20, no major engagements occurred, but the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), under Admiral Nobutake Kondo, was preparing for operations in the Solomon Islands, including the planned invasion of Tulagi and Guadalcanal (August 1942). Allied forces, primarily the U.S. 1st Marine Division under Major General Alexander Vandegrift, were training for counteroffensives. The U.S. Navy, with carriers like USS Enterprise, patrolled the South Pacific, anticipating Japanese moves.
Outcome: The Pacific Theatre was in a strategic lull, with Japan planning further expansion and the Allies preparing for the Guadalcanal campaign, a turning point in the theatre.
Asian Theatre
In the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese forces, including the 11th Army under General Yasuji Okamura, were engaged in central China, particularly in Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces, following the Third Battle of Changsha (ended January 1942). On July 20, no major battles are recorded, but Japanese troops faced ongoing Chinese guerrilla resistance from Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-shek and Communist units under Mao Zedong. Japan’s occupation of Southeast Asia, including Burma and the Philippines, was solidifying, with the Japanese 25th Army maintaining control despite local resistance movements.
Outcome: Japan’s hold on occupied territories remained firm, but Chinese guerrilla tactics and Allied embargoes strained their resources, limiting offensive capabilities.
Key Personalities
Friedrich Paulus: German general commanding the 6th Army, leading the advance toward Stalingrad.
Vasily Chuikov: Soviet general of the 62nd Army, organizing early defenses in the Stalingrad region.
Erwin Rommel: Commander of Panzerarmee Afrika, pressing the attack at El Alamein.
Claude Auchinleck: British general leading the 8th Army, holding the line in North Africa.
Odilo Globocnik: SS officer overseeing Operation Reinhard and the Treblinka deportations.
Mordechai Anielewicz: Leader in the Warsaw Ghetto, organizing Jewish resistance against deportations.
World War II Events on July 20, 1943
Italian Macchi C.200 taxiing, Sicily – 1943
Overview of Key Events
On July 20, 1943, World War II was marked by significant developments across multiple theatres. The Eastern Front saw intense fighting as the Soviet Union countered German advances following the Battle of Kursk. In the Mediterranean, the Allied invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky) continued, with British and American forces advancing against Axis defenses. The Pacific Theatre featured ongoing campaigns in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, while the Battle of the Atlantic persisted with German U-boats challenging Allied convoys. Holocaust-related atrocities escalated, with deportations and extermination camps operating at full capacity.
European and Atlantic Theatre (Including Jewish Affairs)
On the Eastern Front, the Soviet Union was transitioning to the offensive after the Battle of Kursk (July 5–16, 1943), the largest tank battle in history. On July 20, Soviet forces, including the 5th Guards Tank Army under General Pavel Rotmistrov, were engaged in counteroffensives around the Kursk salient, particularly in the Prokhorovka region. German Army Group South, led by Field Marshal Erich von Manstein, faced mounting pressure as Soviet Central and Voronezh Fronts, commanded by Generals Konstantin Rokossovsky and Nikolai Vatutin, pushed back against the German 4th Panzer Army and Army Group Kempf. The Soviet 62nd Army was also reinforcing positions to prevent German breakthroughs.
In the Atlantic, the Battle of the Atlantic saw continued U-boat activity, though Allied anti-submarine measures were gaining effectiveness. On July 20, German U-boats, such as U-558 under Kapitänleutnant Günther Krech, patrolled the mid-Atlantic, targeting convoys like SC-130. However, no specific sinkings are recorded for this date. Allied escorts, including Royal Navy destroyers like HMS Duncan and U.S. Navy destroyer escorts, utilized improved radar and Hedgehog anti-submarine weapons, reducing U-boat success rates.
Jewish Affairs: No specific Holocaust-related event is recorded for July 20, 1943, but the “Final Solution” was in full operation. The Treblinka extermination camp, operational since July 1942, continued to receive mass deportations from ghettos across Poland, including Warsaw, where the ghetto uprising had been crushed in May 1943. The Sobibor and Belzec camps, part of Operation Reinhard, were also active, with thousands of Jews murdered daily in gas chambers. In occupied Soviet territories, Einsatzgruppen units conducted ongoing mass shootings, targeting Jewish communities in Ukraine and Belarus. Jewish resistance persisted despite overwhelming odds, with survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto forming underground networks, and groups like the Fareynikte Partizaner Organizatsye in Vilna Ghetto planning sabotage. The Białystok Ghetto, still operational, faced increasing deportations, with resistance movements organizing for an uprising in August 1943.
Outcome: Soviet counteroffensives on the Eastern Front shifted momentum, weakening German forces and setting the stage for further advances. In the Atlantic, Allied dominance grew, with U-boat losses mounting due to improved tactics and technology. The Holocaust’s relentless pace continued, with Jewish resistance struggling against systematic extermination.
Mediterranean and African Theatre
In Sicily, Operation Husky (July 10–August 17, 1943) saw Allied forces advancing against Axis defenses. On July 20, the U.S. 7th Army, led by General George S. Patton, pushed toward Palermo, engaging Italian units like the Livorno Division and German Hermann Göring Division. The British 8th Army, under General Bernard Montgomery, advanced toward Catania, facing stiff resistance from the German 15th Panzergrenadier Division. Allied air superiority, provided by RAF Spitfires and U.S. P-38 Lightnings, disrupted Axis supply lines. In North Africa, Axis forces had been defeated in May 1943, leaving Sicily as the primary Mediterranean battleground.
The siege of Malta had eased, but the island remained a critical Allied base, supporting air and naval operations against Axis shipping. On July 20, no major attacks on Malta are noted, but RAF squadrons continued to interdict Axis convoys to Sicily.
Outcome: Allied advances in Sicily eroded Axis control, with Palermo’s capture imminent, weakening Italy’s position and paving the way for the fall of Mussolini later in July. Malta’s role bolstered Allied logistics, ensuring sustained pressure on Axis forces.
Pacific Theatre
In the Pacific, Allied forces were engaged in the New Guinea Campaign and Solomon Islands Campaign. On July 20, U.S. and Australian troops, including the U.S. 41st Infantry Division and Australian 7th Division, were fighting Japanese forces in the Salamaua-Lae campaign in New Guinea. Under General Douglas MacArthur’s command, Allied troops faced the Japanese 51st Division, entrenched in jungle terrain. In the Solomon Islands, U.S. forces, including the 1st Marine Division, were consolidating positions on New Georgia following landings earlier in July, clashing with Japanese defenders under General Noboru Sasaki. No major naval engagements occurred on this date, but the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 74 patrolled the region.
Outcome: Allied progress in New Guinea and the Solomons slowly eroded Japanese defenses, though fierce resistance and difficult terrain delayed significant breakthroughs.
Asian Theatre
In the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese forces, including the 13th Army, were engaged in central China, particularly in Hubei and Hunan provinces. On July 20, no major battles are recorded, but Japanese troops faced persistent guerrilla attacks from Chinese Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-shek and Communist units led by Mao Zedong. In Burma, Japanese occupation forces, including the 33rd Division, maintained control, though Allied-supported Chindit operations under British General Orde Wingate disrupted supply lines. Japan’s broader strategy focused on consolidating Southeast Asian territories, including the Philippines and Malaya.
Outcome: Japan’s hold on China and Southeast Asia remained strong, but guerrilla warfare and Allied pressure strained their resources, limiting offensive operations.
Key Personalities
Konstantin Rokossovsky: Soviet general commanding the Central Front, leading counteroffensives post-Kursk.
Erich von Manstein: German Field Marshal, struggling to maintain momentum on the Eastern Front.
George S. Patton: U.S. general driving the 7th Army’s advance in Sicily.
Bernard Montgomery: British general leading the 8th Army’s push in Sicily.
Douglas MacArthur: Allied commander overseeing operations in the Southwest Pacific.
Heinrich Himmler: SS leader, overseeing the Holocaust’s implementation, including Operation Reinhard camps.
World War II Events on July 20, 1944
Bomb damage to the conference room from the attempted assassination of Adolf Hitler – 20th July 1944
Overview of Key Events
On July 20, 1944, World War II was marked by pivotal developments across multiple theatres. In Europe, the Eastern Front saw Soviet forces advancing in Operation Bagration, while the Western Front witnessed intense fighting in Normandy following the D-Day landings. The Atlantic Theatre was quieter as the Battle of the Atlantic shifted in the Allies’ favour. In the Pacific, U.S. forces were consolidating gains in the Mariana Islands, and in Asia, Japanese troops faced setbacks in China and Burma. A significant Holocaust-related event was the ongoing liberation of concentration camps by advancing Soviet forces. The key event for July 20, 1944, is the failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler, known as the July 20 Plot, orchestrated by German military officers at the Wolf’s Lair in East Prussia, which had profound implications for the Nazi regime’s internal dynamics.
European and Atlantic Theatre
On the Eastern Front, Operation Bagration, launched on June 22, 1944, saw Soviet forces, including the 1st Belorussian Front under General Konstantin Rokossovsky, advancing rapidly through Belarus. On July 20, Soviet troops were closing in on Lublin, Poland, engaging remnants of the German Army Group Centre, which had been decimated by earlier Soviet offensives. The German 9th Army and 4th Army, under General Hans Jordan, struggled to hold defensive lines, with units like the 12th Panzer Division facing overwhelming Soviet armor, including T-34 tanks. The Soviet advance brought them closer to liberating the Majdanek concentration camp, which occurred three days later on July 23.
In the Western Front, the Battle of Normandy continued, with Allied forces, including the British 2nd Army under General Miles Dempsey and the U.S. 1st Army under General Omar Bradley, pushing against German defenses. On July 20, Operation Cobra was in its planning stages, with U.S. forces, including the 4th Armored Division, preparing for a breakout from Saint-Lô. British and Canadian troops were engaged in Operation Atlantic, supporting the capture of Caen, facing German Panzergruppe West under General Heinrich Eberbach.
In the Atlantic, the Battle of the Atlantic had largely turned in the Allies’ favor by mid-1944. German U-boats, such as U-861 under Korvettenkapitän Jürgen Oesten, were less effective due to Allied air patrols and improved convoy escorts, including destroyers like USS Eldridge. No specific U-boat actions are recorded for July 20, but the overall campaign saw reduced German success.
Jewish Affairs: The imminent liberation of Majdanek by Soviet forces was a critical Holocaust-related development. On July 20, Soviet troops were nearing the camp, where over 79,000 victims, primarily Jews, had been murdered since its establishment in 1941. The Nazis, under SS oversight, were destroying evidence, including burning bodies, to conceal atrocities. Elsewhere, deportations to Auschwitz-Birkenau continued, with transports from Hungary, orchestrated by Adolf Eichmann, sending tens of thousands of Jews to gas chambers. In the Łódź Ghetto, one of the last remaining ghettos, Jews faced starvation and forced labor, with liquidation looming in August 1944. Jewish resistance included acts of defiance, such as sabotage in Auschwitz by groups like the Sonderkommando, and partisan activities in forests around Vilnius, led by figures like Abba Kovner.
The July 20 Plot, The 20th July 1944 bomb plot, also known as Operation Valkyrie, was a significant attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler and overthrow the Nazi regime, orchestrated by a group of German military officers and civilians. Below is a detailed account of the event, structured to provide a comprehensive overview while focusing on key aspects, units, personalities, and outcomes, tailored to your interest in World War II events for a daily blog format.
On July 20, 1944, a group of German conspirators, primarily military officers, attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler by detonating a bomb at his Wolf’s Lair headquarters in Rastenburg, East Prussia (now Kętrzyn, Poland). The plot aimed to kill Hitler, seize control of the government, and negotiate peace with the Allies to end World War II. Led by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, the conspirators used a modified version of Operation Valkyrie, a German military contingency plan, to mobilize reserve forces and establish a new government. The attempt failed when the bomb, though detonated, did not kill Hitler, leading to the rapid collapse of the coup and severe repercussions for the conspirators.
By mid-1944, Germany faced mounting losses on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, with Soviet forces advancing in Operation Bagration and Allied troops breaking out in Normandy. Many German officers and civilians, disillusioned with Hitler’s leadership and the war’s catastrophic trajectory, believed his removal was essential to prevent Germany’s total destruction. The resistance, loosely organized as the Schwarze Kapelle (Black Orchestra), included high-ranking officers like General Ludwig Beck, General Friedrich Olbricht, and Colonel Henning von Tresckow, alongside civilians like Carl Goerdeler.
The plot cantered on Operation Valkyrie, an existing plan to mobilize the German Reserve Army to maintain order in case of internal unrest or Hitler’s death. The conspirators, led by Stauffenberg, modified the plan to enable a coup, intending to use the Reserve Army to secure key government buildings in Berlin and arrest Nazi leaders after Hitler’s assassination. Stauffenberg, a staff officer with access to Hitler’s briefings, was chosen to plant the bomb due to his position and resolve.
On July 20, 1944, Stauffenberg attended a military briefing at the Wolf’s Lair, carrying a briefcase containing two bombs, each with a 1-kilogram block of plastic explosive and a British-made pencil detonator. Due to time constraints and an interruption, he armed only one bomb. At approximately 12:40 p.m., Stauffenberg placed the briefcase under the conference table near Hitler and left the room under the pretext of a phone call. At 12:42 p.m., the bomb detonated, killing three officers (including stenographer Heinrich Berger) and injuring others, but Hitler survived with minor injuries, shielded by the table’s heavy oak structure and the open windows of the wooden conference hut, which dissipated the blast.
Stauffenberg, unaware of Hitler’s survival, flew to Berlin to initiate the coup, believing the assassination had succeeded. He contacted co-conspirators at the Bendlerblock (the War Ministry in Berlin), where General Olbricht and Colonel Albrecht Mertz von Quirnheim activated Operation Valkyrie, issuing orders to Reserve Army units, including the Grossdeutschland Regiment, to secure Berlin.
The plot unraveled when news of Hitler’s survival spread. By early afternoon, loyalist officers, including Major Otto Ernst Remer of the Grossdeutschland Regiment, confirmed Hitler was alive after direct communication with him via Joseph Goebbels. Remer’s unit, initially mobilized by the conspirators, was ordered to arrest them instead. By evening, loyalist forces stormed the Bendlerblock, capturing Stauffenberg, Olbricht, Mertz von Quirnheim, and others. Stauffenberg and his immediate co-conspirators were executed by firing squad in the Bendlerblock courtyard around midnight on July 20. The failure of the plot triggered a brutal crackdown by the Nazi regime. The Gestapo arrested over 7,000 people, and approximately 4,980 were executed, including key figures like General Beck (who committed suicide) and Field Marshal Erwin von Witzleben. Others, like General Erich Fellgiebel, who disrupted communications at Wolf’s Lair, were tortured and killed. The Nazis used the plot to justify intensified repression, targeting not only conspirators but also their families through Sippenhaft (kinship punishment). Prominent civilians like Goerdeler were also executed. The plot’s failure prolonged the war, delaying Germany’s surrender until May 1945.
While the July 20 plot was not directly tied to Holocaust-related events, many conspirators were motivated by moral outrage over Nazi atrocities, including the genocide of Jews. By July 1944, the “Final Solution” was at its peak, with mass deportations to Auschwitz-Birkenau, particularly from Hungary, orchestrated by Adolf Eichmann. The liberation of the Majdanek extermination camp by Soviet forces on July 24, 1944, just days after the plot, exposed the Holocaust’s horrors to the world. Some plotters, like Henning von Tresckow, had knowledge of Einsatzgruppen massacres in the East and sought to end Nazi rule to halt such crimes. However, the plot’s failure meant no immediate relief for Jewish victims, and the Holocaust continued unabated.
Key people involved:
Adolf Hitler: Target of the assassination, survived with minor injuries, reinforcing his grip on power, Claus von Stauffenberg: Chief architect of the bomb plot, planted the explosive and led the coup attempt in Berlin, Ludwig Beck: Former Army Chief of Staff, intended to lead the post-coup government, committed suicide after the failure, Friedrich Olbricht: General who modified Operation Valkyrie and coordinated the coup from the Bendlerblock, Henning von Tresckow: Key conspirator who helped plan the assassination, later committed suicide to avoid capture, Otto Ernst Remer: Loyalist officer whose actions helped foil the coup, later promoted by Hitler
Mediterranean and African Theatre
In Italy, the Italian Campaign continued after the fall of Rome in June 1944. On July 20, Allied forces, including the U.S. 5th Army under General Mark Clark and the British 8th Army under General Oliver Leese, were advancing north of the Gustav Line, engaging German 10th Army units, including the 29th Panzergrenadier Division, near the Arno River. The fighting was intense, with Allied air support from P-51 Mustangs targeting German positions. North Africa was fully under Allied control, with no active combat in the region.
The Mediterranean saw reduced Axis naval activity, with Allied dominance ensuring safe supply lines. Malta, no longer under siege, served as a key base for RAF and U.S. Army Air Forces operations, targeting Axis shipping to Italy.
Outcome: Allied progress in Italy pressured German defenses, though rugged terrain and fortified lines slowed advances. The Mediterranean remained an Allied stronghold, supporting operations in Italy and beyond.
Pacific Theatre
In the Pacific, the Mariana and Palau Islands Campaign was underway. On July 20, U.S. forces were preparing for landings on Guam (July 21) and Tinian (July 24), following the capture of Saipan in early July. The U.S. 3rd Marine Division and 77th Infantry Division, under General Holland Smith, were staging for these invasions, facing Japanese garrisons led by General Takeshi Takashina on Guam. The U.S. Navy’s Task Force 58, with carriers like USS Hornet, provided air cover, neutralizing Japanese airfields. No major engagements occurred on July 20, but preparations were critical for upcoming victories.
Outcome: The Mariana Islands campaign secured key bases for B-29 bombers, bringing Japan within striking range and weakening their Pacific defenses.
Asian Theatre
In the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japan’s Operation Ichi-Go, launched in April 1944, aimed to capture southern China’s airfields. On July 20, Japanese forces, including the 11th Army under General Isamu Yokoyama, were advancing in Hunan Province, clashing with Chinese Nationalist forces under General Xue Yue. Chinese resistance, bolstered by U.S. 14th Air Force support under General Claire Chennault, slowed Japanese progress. In Burma, the Battle of Imphal and Kohima had ended in Allied victory in June, but on July 20, Allied forces, including the British 14th Army and Indian 5th Division, were mopping up Japanese 15th Army remnants under General Renya Mutaguchi, who faced supply shortages and disease.
Outcome: Japan’s gains in China came at high cost, with Chinese resistance and Allied air support limiting strategic success. In Burma, Allied victories secured northeastern India, weakening Japanese positions in Southeast Asia.
Key Personalities
Claus von Stauffenberg: German officer who led the July 20 Plot, attempting to assassinate Hitler.
Konstantin Rokossovsky: Soviet general driving Operation Bagration, nearing Lublin and Majdanek.
George S. Patton: U.S. general planning Operation Cobra in Normandy.
Erich von Manstein: German Field Marshal, struggling to stabilize the Eastern Front.
Adolf Eichmann: SS officer overseeing Hungarian Jewish deportations to Auschwitz.
Holland Smith: U.S. Marine general leading operations in the Mariana Islands.
World War II Events on July 20, 1945
Jewish youngsters showing their camp tattoos while aboard refugee ship, July 1945
Overview of Key Events
By July 20, 1945, World War II in Europe had concluded with Germany’s surrender on May 8, 1945, but the Pacific and Asian theatres remained active as the Allies pressed Japan toward surrender. The Potsdam Conference, ongoing since July 17, saw Allied leaders planning the postwar world and issuing demands for Japan’s capitulation. In the Pacific, intense fighting continued in the Philippines and Borneo, with Japanese forces resisting Allied advances.
European and Atlantic Theatre
With Germany’s surrender, active combat in Europe had ceased by July 20, 1945. The European and Atlantic Theatre was focused on postwar recovery, occupation, and addressing the Holocaust’s aftermath. Allied forces, including the U.S. 3rd Army under General George S. Patton and the Soviet 1st Belorussian Front under Marshal Georgy Zhukov, were administering occupied Germany, managing displaced persons, and securing war criminals for trials. The Potsdam Conference, held in Potsdam, Germany, involved key Allied leaders—U.S. President Harry S. Truman, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (replaced by Clement Attlee mid-conference)—discussing Germany’s demilitarization, reparations, and the prosecution of Nazi war criminals.
Jewish Affairs: The Holocaust’s devastating impact was becoming fully apparent as Allied forces liberated survivors and documented atrocities. By July 20, 1945, major extermination camps like Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Majdanek had been liberated, revealing the scale of the “Final Solution,” which claimed approximately 6 million Jewish lives. On this date, no specific Holocaust-related events are recorded, but survivors faced dire conditions in displaced persons (DP) camps across Europe, such as Bergen-Belsen, now under British administration. Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Brigade (formed under the British Army), were aiding survivors, helping them reconnect with families or emigrate, often to Palestine. The Bricha movement facilitated illegal Jewish immigration to Palestine, defying British restrictions. War crimes investigations were intensifying, with the International Military Tribunal preparing for the Nuremberg Trials, targeting figures like Heinrich Himmler (deceased) and Adolf Eichmann (still at large).
Outcome: Europe transitioned to occupation and reconstruction, with the Potsdam Conference shaping postwar policies. Jewish survivors struggled in DP camps, with resistance movements like Bricha aiding emigration, while Allied efforts focused on justice for Holocaust perpetrators.
Mediterranean and African Theatre
The Mediterranean and African Theatre saw no active combat by July 20, 1945, as Axis forces had been defeated in North Africa (May 1943) and Italy (April 1945). Allied forces, including the British 8th Army and U.S. 5th Army, were overseeing occupation duties in Italy, managing surrendered German and Italian troops. The Mediterranean served as a logistical hub for Allied shipping, with bases like Malta supporting operations in the Pacific via the Suez Canal. No significant military actions occurred on this date.
Outcome: The Mediterranean region stabilized as an Allied-controlled zone, facilitating supply routes and postwar administration.
Pacific Theatre
In the Pacific, the Allies were tightening their grip on Japanese-held territories. On July 20, 1945, the Battle of Balikpapan in Borneo, part of the Borneo Campaign, was winding down after Australian forces, including the 7th Division under Major General Edward Milford, captured key oil facilities from the Japanese 22nd Naval Base Force. In the Philippines, the Luzon Campaign continued, with U.S. 6th Army units, under General Walter Krueger, engaging Japanese 14th Area Army remnants led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita in northern Luzon’s mountains. U.S. air raids, including B-29 Superfortress missions from the Mariana Islands, intensified over Japan, targeting cities and infrastructure, though no specific raids are noted for July 20. The U.S. Navy’s Task Force 38, under Admiral William Halsey, conducted carrier-based strikes on Japanese naval targets.
Outcome: Allied victories in Borneo and the Philippines weakened Japanese defenses, while air raids brought Japan closer to surrender, setting the stage for the atomic bombings in August.
Asian Theatre
In the Second Sino-Japanese War, fighting persisted in China, though Japan was on the defensive. On July 20, 1945, Chinese Nationalist forces under Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, supported by the U.S. 14th Air Force led by General Claire Chennault, conducted operations in Hunan and Guangxi provinces, reclaiming territory from the Japanese 11th Army. In Burma, the campaign had largely concluded by May 1945, but Allied forces, including the British 14th Army under General William Slim, were mopping up Japanese stragglers from the 28th Army, who faced starvation and disease in jungle retreats. The Potsdam Conference’s discussions on Japan’s surrender, ongoing on July 20, signaled increasing pressure, with the Allies preparing the Potsdam Declaration (issued July 26) demanding unconditional surrender.
Outcome: Chinese advances and Allied victories in Burma further eroded Japan’s control, while diplomatic efforts at Potsdam foreshadowed Japan’s imminent capitulation.
Key Personalities
Harry S. Truman: U.S. President at the Potsdam Conference, pushing for Japan’s surrender and postwar policies.
Joseph Stalin: Soviet Premier, shaping Eastern Europe’s future at Potsdam and preparing for Soviet entry into the Pacific War.
Winston Churchill: British Prime Minister (until July 26), negotiating at Potsdam before Attlee’s takeover.
George S. Patton: U.S. general overseeing occupation duties in Germany.
Tomoyuki Yamashita: Japanese general leading resistance in the Philippines.
William Slim: British general concluding operations in Burma.
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Each Day in World War II – 20th July
World War II Events on July 20, 1940
Overview of Key Events
On July 20, 1940, the world was entrenched in the early stages of World War II, with significant activity across multiple theatres. In Europe, the Battle of Britain intensified as Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe continued its aerial assaults on the United Kingdom, aiming to weaken British defences for a potential invasion. The Atlantic saw ongoing naval skirmishes as part of the Battle of the Atlantic, with German U-boats targeting Allied shipping. In the Mediterranean, Italian forces were engaged in North Africa, while the siege of Malta persisted. In Asia, Japanese military expansion continued, with tensions rising due to their occupation of French Indochina. No specific Holocaust-related events, but the broader context of Jewish persecution was escalating.
European and Atlantic Theatre
In the European Theatre, the Battle of Britain was in its early phase, following the Luftwaffe’s initial large-scale attacks on July 10. On July 20, German aircraft continued to target British airfields, ports, and shipping in the English Channel, aiming to cripple the Royal Air Force (RAF) and disrupt supply lines. The RAF, under Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, mounted a fierce defense, utilizing Spitfires and Hurricanes to counter German Messerschmitt Bf 109s and bombers like the Heinkel He 111. Specific engagements on this date included skirmishes over southern England, with the Luftwaffe testing British radar and fighter response capabilities. The British reported losses but maintained operational strength, with approximately 600 fighters available to counter the German air offensive.
In the Atlantic, the Battle of the Atlantic was ongoing, with German U-boats, such as U-47 commanded by Günther Prien, intensifying attacks on Allied convoys. On July 20, U-boats patrolled the North Atlantic, targeting merchant ships carrying vital supplies to Britain. The Royal Navy’s escort vessels, including destroyers like HMS Brazen, faced challenges protecting convoys against wolfpack tactics. No specific sinkings are recorded for this exact date, but the broader campaign saw significant losses, with the Allies losing thousands of tons of shipping weekly during this period.
Jewish Affairs: While no specific Holocaust-related events are documented for July 20, 1940, the broader persecution of Jews was accelerating. In occupied Poland, the Nazis were establishing ghettos, with the Warsaw Ghetto’s formation underway, though its official sealing occurred later in October 1940. In Western Europe, following the fall of France in June, Jews in Vichy France faced increasing restrictions under the collaborationist regime, including the revocation of citizenship for naturalized Jews. The Nazis’ Einsatzgruppen units were active in Poland, conducting sporadic massacres of Jewish and Polish intellectuals, though specific actions on this date are not detailed. The “Final Solution” was not yet formalized, but anti-Semitic policies were intensifying, laying the groundwork for future atrocities. Jewish communities responded with underground organizations, such as the Zionist youth movements in Poland, beginning to form resistance networks.
Outcome: The RAF’s resilience in the Battle of Britain prevented Germany from achieving air superiority, a critical factor in delaying Operation Sea Lion, the planned invasion of Britain. In the Atlantic, Allied convoys suffered losses, but technological advancements like ASDIC (sonar) were beginning to counter U-boat threats. Jewish communities faced mounting oppression, with no immediate relief, as the Allies were focused on military survival.
Mediterranean and African Theatre
In the Mediterranean, the siege of Malta continued, with Italian Regia Aeronautica aircraft bombing the British-held island. On July 20, Italian SM.79 bombers targeted Maltese airfields and harbors, aiming to neutralize the island as a British naval base. The British defenders, equipped with a small number of Gloster Gladiator biplanes, managed to repel some attacks, though the island’s defenses were strained. In North Africa, Italian forces under Marshal Rodolfo Graziani were preparing for an offensive into Egypt from Libya, but no major engagements occurred on this date. The Italian 10th Army was mobilizing, with approximately 140,000 troops, though logistical challenges delayed significant action until September.
Outcome: Malta remained a thorn in the Axis’ side, disrupting their supply lines to North Africa. The Italian buildup in Libya set the stage for future clashes, but the British maintained control of Egypt and the Suez Canal, critical for Allied supply routes.
Pacific Theatre
No significant Japanese military activity is recorded in the Pacific Theatre for July 20, 1940. The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) was consolidating its positions following earlier expansions, with focus on planning further operations in Southeast Asia. The United States, not yet at war, was increasing its naval presence in the Pacific, with the Pacific Fleet based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, under Admiral James O. Richardson. Tensions were rising due to U.S. economic sanctions, including oil and steel embargoes, in response to Japanese aggression in China and Indochina.
Outcome: The Pacific remained relatively quiet, but Japan’s strategic planning foreshadowed future conflicts, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands.
Asian Theatre
In Asia, Japan’s occupation of northern French Indochina, begun in September 1940, was in its preparatory stages. On July 20, Japanese forces were negotiating with the Vichy French administration to secure bases in Tonkin, though formal occupation did not occur until later. The Second Sino-Japanese War continued, with Japanese troops, including the 11th Army under General Tomoyuki Yamashita, engaged in operations in central China. No specific battles are noted for this date, but Japanese forces were consolidating control over occupied territories, facing guerrilla resistance from Chinese Nationalist and Communist forces. The “Three Alls Policy” (Kill All, Burn All, Loot All) was being implemented in occupied areas, causing significant civilian casualties, though exact figures for this date are unavailable.
Outcome: Japan’s expansion in Indochina heightened tensions with the Western Allies, particularly the U.S., while the ongoing war in China drained Japanese resources, limiting their immediate offensive capabilities.
Key Personalities
World War II Events on July 20, 1941
Overview of Key Events
On July 20, 1941, World War II was at a critical juncture, with significant developments across multiple theatres. The Eastern Front dominated the war, as Nazi Germany’s Operation Barbarossa, launched on June 22, 1941, saw intense fighting in the Soviet Union. The Battle of Smolensk was ongoing, with German forces pushing toward Moscow. In the Atlantic, the Battle of the Atlantic continued with German U-boats targeting Allied convoys. In the Mediterranean, British and Axis forces clashed in North Africa, while the siege of Malta persisted. In Asia, Japanese military planning for further expansion intensified, though no major actions occurred on this date. A key event for July 20, 1941, is the establishment of the Majdanek concentration camp near Lublin, Poland, a significant Holocaust-related development.
European and Atlantic Theatre
On the Eastern Front, the Battle of Smolensk (July 10–September 10, 1941) saw fierce combat as German Army Group Center, led by Field Marshal Fedor von Bock, advanced against Soviet forces. On July 20, German Panzer Group 2 (under General Heinz Guderian) and Panzer Group 3 (under General Hermann Hoth) were encircling Soviet troops near Smolensk, capturing thousands of prisoners including Yakov Dzhugashvili, the son of Stalin. The German 7th Panzer Division and 20th Panzer Division were heavily engaged, facing resistance from the Soviet 16th Army and 20th Army under General Konstantin Rokossovsky. Despite Soviet counterattacks, the Germans were closing the pocket, aiming to destroy Soviet forces west of Moscow.
In the Atlantic, the Battle of the Atlantic continued with German U-boats, such as U-203 under Kapitänleutnant Rolf Mützelburg, targeting Allied merchant shipping. On July 20, no specific sinkings are recorded, but U-boats were active in the North Atlantic, disrupting convoys like HX-133, which had faced losses earlier in the month. The Royal Navy’s escort vessels, including corvettes like HMS Azalea, were deploying improved anti-submarine tactics, though the U-boat threat remained severe.
Jewish Affairs: The establishment of the Majdanek concentration camp on July 20, 1941, near Lublin, Poland, marks a significant escalation in the Holocaust (key event). Initially intended as a labour camp for Soviet prisoners of war and Polish civilians, Majdanek quickly became a site for the systematic extermination of Jews, with gas chambers operational by late 1941. Administered by the SS under Commandant Karl Otto Koch, the camp’s creation followed Heinrich Himmler’s orders to expand extermination facilities in the General Government. Elsewhere, the Einsatzgruppen, mobile killing squads, were active in occupied Soviet territories, conducting mass shootings of Jews, as seen in earlier pogroms like the Kaunas pogrom in June 1941. In the Warsaw Ghetto, sealed since October 1940, Jews faced starvation and disease, with over 400,000 confined under brutal conditions. Jewish resistance was emerging, with groups like the Jewish Combat Organization forming clandestinely to share information and plan uprisings.
Outcome: On the Eastern Front, German forces gained ground in the Battle of Smolensk, but Soviet resistance delayed their advance, foreshadowing prolonged fighting. In the Atlantic, Allied convoys continued to suffer losses, though improved escorts mitigated some damage. The establishment of Majdanek marked a grim step toward the “Final Solution,” with Jewish communities facing increasing persecution and limited means of resistance.
Mediterranean and African Theatre
In North Africa, the Western Desert Campaign saw a lull after Operation Battleaxe’s failure in June 1941. British forces, including the 7th Armoured Division (the “Desert Rats”), were regrouping in Egypt under General Claude Auchinleck, preparing for future offensives like Operation Crusader. Italian and German forces under General Erwin Rommel, commanding the Afrika Korps, were fortifying positions around Tobruk, which remained under siege by Axis forces. No major engagements occurred on July 20, but both sides were resupplying, with Rommel’s Panzergruppe Afrika, including the 15th Panzer Division, preparing for renewed offensives.
In the Mediterranean, the siege of Malta continued, with Italian and German aircraft bombing the island. On July 20, Luftwaffe Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers targeted Maltese airfields, met by limited RAF defences, including Hurricane fighters. The island’s strategic importance disrupted Axis supply lines to North Africa, making it a focal point of Axis air raids.
Outcome: The stalemate in North Africa favoured the Axis, as Tobruk remained besieged, but British preparations laid the groundwork for future counteroffensives. Malta’s resilience strained Axis logistics, maintaining Allied presence in the Mediterranean.
Pacific Theatre
No significant Japanese military activity is recorded in the Pacific Theatre for July 20, 1941. The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), under Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, was planning the Pearl Harbor attack (executed December 7, 1941), but operations on this date were limited to routine patrols and training. The U.S. Pacific Fleet, based at Pearl Harbor under Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, was expanding its defences in response to growing tensions, particularly after U.S. oil embargoes against Japan.
Outcome: The Pacific remained calm, but Japan’s strategic preparations signaled impending escalation, with the U.S. unaware of the scale of planned attacks.
Asian Theatre
In the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese forces, including the 3rd Army under General Masaharu Homma, continued operations in China, particularly in Hunan and Hubei provinces. On July 20, no major battles are noted, but Japanese troops faced ongoing guerrilla resistance from Chinese Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-shek and Communist forces led by Mao Zedong. Japan’s occupation of northern French Indochina, formalized in 1940, was expanding, with Japanese troops pressuring Vichy French authorities for additional bases in southern Indochina, a move completed by late July 1941. This escalation prompted stronger U.S. sanctions, including the freezing of Japanese assets.
Outcome: Japan’s consolidation in Indochina heightened tensions with the Allies, while the war in China remained a resource-intensive stalemate, with Chinese resistance preventing full Japanese control.
Key Personalities
World War II Events on July 20, 1942
Overview of Key Events
On July 20, 1942, World War II saw intense activity across multiple theatres, with the Eastern Front dominating as German forces advanced in the Soviet Union during Operation Blue. The Battle of Stalingrad was in its early stages, while the Battle of the Atlantic continued to threaten Allied supply lines. In the Mediterranean, Axis and Allied forces clashed in North Africa, and the Pacific Theatre saw Japanese consolidation after earlier conquests. The Holocaust escalated with significant developments in deportations and extermination policies. A key event listed for July 20, 1942, iis the intensification of deportations from the Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka extermination camp, a critical moment in the Holocaust.
European and Atlantic Theatre (Including Jewish Affairs)
On the Eastern Front, German Army Group South, under Field Marshal Wilhelm List, was advancing as part of Operation Blue, aiming to capture the Caucasus oil fields and Stalingrad. On July 20, the German 6th Army, led by General Friedrich Paulus, was approaching the Don River, engaging Soviet forces of the 62nd Army under General Vasily Chuikov in preliminary skirmishes west of Stalingrad. The German 1st Panzer Army and 17th Army were also pushing south toward Rostov-on-Don, facing resistance from Soviet South Front troops. These early engagements set the stage for the brutal Battle of Stalingrad, which would intensify in August.
In the Atlantic, the Battle of the Atlantic remained critical, with German U-boats, such as U-156 under Korvettenkapitän Werner Hartenstein, targeting Allied convoys. On July 20, no specific sinkings are recorded, but U-boats were active off the U.S. East Coast and in the mid-Atlantic, sinking merchant ships at a rate that strained Allied resources. The Royal Navy and U.S. Navy, using destroyers like USS Lansdowne and corvettes, were improving convoy escorts with better radar and depth charges, but losses remained high.
Jewish Affairs: The intensification of deportations from the Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka extermination camp, beginning around July 20, 1942, marks a significant escalation in the Holocaust. Following the Wannsee Conference in January 1942, the Nazis accelerated the “Final Solution,” with Treblinka, operational since July 1942, becoming a primary extermination site. Under Operation Reinhard, SS and police units, overseen by Odilo Globocnik, began mass deportations from the Warsaw Ghetto, where over 400,000 Jews were confined. On July 20, preparations for these deportations were underway, with the first major transports starting days later, sending thousands to their deaths in Treblinka’s gas chambers. In other regions, Einsatzgruppen continued mass shootings in occupied Soviet territories, targeting Jewish communities in Ukraine and Belarus. Jewish resistance grew, with the Jewish Combat Organization (ŻOB) in the Warsaw Ghetto, led by figures like Mordechai Anielewicz, organizing to resist deportations, though armed uprisings were still months away.
Outcome: On the Eastern Front, German advances gained ground but faced stiffening Soviet resistance, foreshadowing the costly Stalingrad campaign. In the Atlantic, Allied convoys endured heavy losses, but improved anti-submarine tactics began to counter U-boat effectiveness. The Holocaust’s escalation through deportations to Treblinka marked a horrific phase, with Jewish resistance organizing under dire conditions.
Mediterranean and African Theatre
In North Africa, the First Battle of El Alamein (July 1–27, 1942) was ongoing, with British 8th Army, under General Claude Auchinleck, holding defensive lines against General Erwin Rommel’s Panzerarmee Afrika. On July 20, German and Italian forces, including the 21st Panzer Division and Italian Ariete Division, launched probing attacks near the Ruweisat Ridge, met by British and Commonwealth troops, including the 9th Australian Division. The battle stabilized the front, preventing Axis capture of Alexandria and the Suez Canal. In the Mediterranean, the siege of Malta continued, with Luftwaffe and Italian Regia Aeronautica aircraft, including Ju 88 bombers, targeting the island’s defences. RAF Hurricanes and Spitfires, supported by ground-based anti-aircraft guns, repelled attacks, though supplies remained critically low.
Outcome: The British held El Alamein, halting Rommel’s advance and preserving Allied control of Egypt. Malta’s resistance disrupted Axis supply lines, weakening their North African campaign.
Pacific Theatre
In the Pacific, Japanese forces were consolidating gains after the Battle of Midway (June 1942). On July 20, no major engagements occurred, but the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), under Admiral Nobutake Kondo, was preparing for operations in the Solomon Islands, including the planned invasion of Tulagi and Guadalcanal (August 1942). Allied forces, primarily the U.S. 1st Marine Division under Major General Alexander Vandegrift, were training for counteroffensives. The U.S. Navy, with carriers like USS Enterprise, patrolled the South Pacific, anticipating Japanese moves.
Outcome: The Pacific Theatre was in a strategic lull, with Japan planning further expansion and the Allies preparing for the Guadalcanal campaign, a turning point in the theatre.
Asian Theatre
In the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese forces, including the 11th Army under General Yasuji Okamura, were engaged in central China, particularly in Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces, following the Third Battle of Changsha (ended January 1942). On July 20, no major battles are recorded, but Japanese troops faced ongoing Chinese guerrilla resistance from Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-shek and Communist units under Mao Zedong. Japan’s occupation of Southeast Asia, including Burma and the Philippines, was solidifying, with the Japanese 25th Army maintaining control despite local resistance movements.
Outcome: Japan’s hold on occupied territories remained firm, but Chinese guerrilla tactics and Allied embargoes strained their resources, limiting offensive capabilities.
Key Personalities
World War II Events on July 20, 1943
Overview of Key Events
On July 20, 1943, World War II was marked by significant developments across multiple theatres. The Eastern Front saw intense fighting as the Soviet Union countered German advances following the Battle of Kursk. In the Mediterranean, the Allied invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky) continued, with British and American forces advancing against Axis defenses. The Pacific Theatre featured ongoing campaigns in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, while the Battle of the Atlantic persisted with German U-boats challenging Allied convoys. Holocaust-related atrocities escalated, with deportations and extermination camps operating at full capacity.
European and Atlantic Theatre (Including Jewish Affairs)
On the Eastern Front, the Soviet Union was transitioning to the offensive after the Battle of Kursk (July 5–16, 1943), the largest tank battle in history. On July 20, Soviet forces, including the 5th Guards Tank Army under General Pavel Rotmistrov, were engaged in counteroffensives around the Kursk salient, particularly in the Prokhorovka region. German Army Group South, led by Field Marshal Erich von Manstein, faced mounting pressure as Soviet Central and Voronezh Fronts, commanded by Generals Konstantin Rokossovsky and Nikolai Vatutin, pushed back against the German 4th Panzer Army and Army Group Kempf. The Soviet 62nd Army was also reinforcing positions to prevent German breakthroughs.
In the Atlantic, the Battle of the Atlantic saw continued U-boat activity, though Allied anti-submarine measures were gaining effectiveness. On July 20, German U-boats, such as U-558 under Kapitänleutnant Günther Krech, patrolled the mid-Atlantic, targeting convoys like SC-130. However, no specific sinkings are recorded for this date. Allied escorts, including Royal Navy destroyers like HMS Duncan and U.S. Navy destroyer escorts, utilized improved radar and Hedgehog anti-submarine weapons, reducing U-boat success rates.
Jewish Affairs: No specific Holocaust-related event is recorded for July 20, 1943, but the “Final Solution” was in full operation. The Treblinka extermination camp, operational since July 1942, continued to receive mass deportations from ghettos across Poland, including Warsaw, where the ghetto uprising had been crushed in May 1943. The Sobibor and Belzec camps, part of Operation Reinhard, were also active, with thousands of Jews murdered daily in gas chambers. In occupied Soviet territories, Einsatzgruppen units conducted ongoing mass shootings, targeting Jewish communities in Ukraine and Belarus. Jewish resistance persisted despite overwhelming odds, with survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto forming underground networks, and groups like the Fareynikte Partizaner Organizatsye in Vilna Ghetto planning sabotage. The Białystok Ghetto, still operational, faced increasing deportations, with resistance movements organizing for an uprising in August 1943.
Outcome: Soviet counteroffensives on the Eastern Front shifted momentum, weakening German forces and setting the stage for further advances. In the Atlantic, Allied dominance grew, with U-boat losses mounting due to improved tactics and technology. The Holocaust’s relentless pace continued, with Jewish resistance struggling against systematic extermination.
Mediterranean and African Theatre
In Sicily, Operation Husky (July 10–August 17, 1943) saw Allied forces advancing against Axis defenses. On July 20, the U.S. 7th Army, led by General George S. Patton, pushed toward Palermo, engaging Italian units like the Livorno Division and German Hermann Göring Division. The British 8th Army, under General Bernard Montgomery, advanced toward Catania, facing stiff resistance from the German 15th Panzergrenadier Division. Allied air superiority, provided by RAF Spitfires and U.S. P-38 Lightnings, disrupted Axis supply lines. In North Africa, Axis forces had been defeated in May 1943, leaving Sicily as the primary Mediterranean battleground.
The siege of Malta had eased, but the island remained a critical Allied base, supporting air and naval operations against Axis shipping. On July 20, no major attacks on Malta are noted, but RAF squadrons continued to interdict Axis convoys to Sicily.
Outcome: Allied advances in Sicily eroded Axis control, with Palermo’s capture imminent, weakening Italy’s position and paving the way for the fall of Mussolini later in July. Malta’s role bolstered Allied logistics, ensuring sustained pressure on Axis forces.
Pacific Theatre
In the Pacific, Allied forces were engaged in the New Guinea Campaign and Solomon Islands Campaign. On July 20, U.S. and Australian troops, including the U.S. 41st Infantry Division and Australian 7th Division, were fighting Japanese forces in the Salamaua-Lae campaign in New Guinea. Under General Douglas MacArthur’s command, Allied troops faced the Japanese 51st Division, entrenched in jungle terrain. In the Solomon Islands, U.S. forces, including the 1st Marine Division, were consolidating positions on New Georgia following landings earlier in July, clashing with Japanese defenders under General Noboru Sasaki. No major naval engagements occurred on this date, but the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 74 patrolled the region.
Outcome: Allied progress in New Guinea and the Solomons slowly eroded Japanese defenses, though fierce resistance and difficult terrain delayed significant breakthroughs.
Asian Theatre
In the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese forces, including the 13th Army, were engaged in central China, particularly in Hubei and Hunan provinces. On July 20, no major battles are recorded, but Japanese troops faced persistent guerrilla attacks from Chinese Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-shek and Communist units led by Mao Zedong. In Burma, Japanese occupation forces, including the 33rd Division, maintained control, though Allied-supported Chindit operations under British General Orde Wingate disrupted supply lines. Japan’s broader strategy focused on consolidating Southeast Asian territories, including the Philippines and Malaya.
Outcome: Japan’s hold on China and Southeast Asia remained strong, but guerrilla warfare and Allied pressure strained their resources, limiting offensive operations.
Key Personalities
World War II Events on July 20, 1944
Overview of Key Events
On July 20, 1944, World War II was marked by pivotal developments across multiple theatres. In Europe, the Eastern Front saw Soviet forces advancing in Operation Bagration, while the Western Front witnessed intense fighting in Normandy following the D-Day landings. The Atlantic Theatre was quieter as the Battle of the Atlantic shifted in the Allies’ favour. In the Pacific, U.S. forces were consolidating gains in the Mariana Islands, and in Asia, Japanese troops faced setbacks in China and Burma. A significant Holocaust-related event was the ongoing liberation of concentration camps by advancing Soviet forces. The key event for July 20, 1944, is the failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler, known as the July 20 Plot, orchestrated by German military officers at the Wolf’s Lair in East Prussia, which had profound implications for the Nazi regime’s internal dynamics.
European and Atlantic Theatre
On the Eastern Front, Operation Bagration, launched on June 22, 1944, saw Soviet forces, including the 1st Belorussian Front under General Konstantin Rokossovsky, advancing rapidly through Belarus. On July 20, Soviet troops were closing in on Lublin, Poland, engaging remnants of the German Army Group Centre, which had been decimated by earlier Soviet offensives. The German 9th Army and 4th Army, under General Hans Jordan, struggled to hold defensive lines, with units like the 12th Panzer Division facing overwhelming Soviet armor, including T-34 tanks. The Soviet advance brought them closer to liberating the Majdanek concentration camp, which occurred three days later on July 23.
In the Western Front, the Battle of Normandy continued, with Allied forces, including the British 2nd Army under General Miles Dempsey and the U.S. 1st Army under General Omar Bradley, pushing against German defenses. On July 20, Operation Cobra was in its planning stages, with U.S. forces, including the 4th Armored Division, preparing for a breakout from Saint-Lô. British and Canadian troops were engaged in Operation Atlantic, supporting the capture of Caen, facing German Panzergruppe West under General Heinrich Eberbach.
In the Atlantic, the Battle of the Atlantic had largely turned in the Allies’ favor by mid-1944. German U-boats, such as U-861 under Korvettenkapitän Jürgen Oesten, were less effective due to Allied air patrols and improved convoy escorts, including destroyers like USS Eldridge. No specific U-boat actions are recorded for July 20, but the overall campaign saw reduced German success.
Jewish Affairs: The imminent liberation of Majdanek by Soviet forces was a critical Holocaust-related development. On July 20, Soviet troops were nearing the camp, where over 79,000 victims, primarily Jews, had been murdered since its establishment in 1941. The Nazis, under SS oversight, were destroying evidence, including burning bodies, to conceal atrocities. Elsewhere, deportations to Auschwitz-Birkenau continued, with transports from Hungary, orchestrated by Adolf Eichmann, sending tens of thousands of Jews to gas chambers. In the Łódź Ghetto, one of the last remaining ghettos, Jews faced starvation and forced labor, with liquidation looming in August 1944. Jewish resistance included acts of defiance, such as sabotage in Auschwitz by groups like the Sonderkommando, and partisan activities in forests around Vilnius, led by figures like Abba Kovner.
The July 20 Plot, The 20th July 1944 bomb plot, also known as Operation Valkyrie, was a significant attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler and overthrow the Nazi regime, orchestrated by a group of German military officers and civilians. Below is a detailed account of the event, structured to provide a comprehensive overview while focusing on key aspects, units, personalities, and outcomes, tailored to your interest in World War II events for a daily blog format.
On July 20, 1944, a group of German conspirators, primarily military officers, attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler by detonating a bomb at his Wolf’s Lair headquarters in Rastenburg, East Prussia (now Kętrzyn, Poland). The plot aimed to kill Hitler, seize control of the government, and negotiate peace with the Allies to end World War II. Led by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, the conspirators used a modified version of Operation Valkyrie, a German military contingency plan, to mobilize reserve forces and establish a new government. The attempt failed when the bomb, though detonated, did not kill Hitler, leading to the rapid collapse of the coup and severe repercussions for the conspirators.
By mid-1944, Germany faced mounting losses on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, with Soviet forces advancing in Operation Bagration and Allied troops breaking out in Normandy. Many German officers and civilians, disillusioned with Hitler’s leadership and the war’s catastrophic trajectory, believed his removal was essential to prevent Germany’s total destruction. The resistance, loosely organized as the Schwarze Kapelle (Black Orchestra), included high-ranking officers like General Ludwig Beck, General Friedrich Olbricht, and Colonel Henning von Tresckow, alongside civilians like Carl Goerdeler.
The plot cantered on Operation Valkyrie, an existing plan to mobilize the German Reserve Army to maintain order in case of internal unrest or Hitler’s death. The conspirators, led by Stauffenberg, modified the plan to enable a coup, intending to use the Reserve Army to secure key government buildings in Berlin and arrest Nazi leaders after Hitler’s assassination. Stauffenberg, a staff officer with access to Hitler’s briefings, was chosen to plant the bomb due to his position and resolve.
On July 20, 1944, Stauffenberg attended a military briefing at the Wolf’s Lair, carrying a briefcase containing two bombs, each with a 1-kilogram block of plastic explosive and a British-made pencil detonator. Due to time constraints and an interruption, he armed only one bomb. At approximately 12:40 p.m., Stauffenberg placed the briefcase under the conference table near Hitler and left the room under the pretext of a phone call. At 12:42 p.m., the bomb detonated, killing three officers (including stenographer Heinrich Berger) and injuring others, but Hitler survived with minor injuries, shielded by the table’s heavy oak structure and the open windows of the wooden conference hut, which dissipated the blast.
Stauffenberg, unaware of Hitler’s survival, flew to Berlin to initiate the coup, believing the assassination had succeeded. He contacted co-conspirators at the Bendlerblock (the War Ministry in Berlin), where General Olbricht and Colonel Albrecht Mertz von Quirnheim activated Operation Valkyrie, issuing orders to Reserve Army units, including the Grossdeutschland Regiment, to secure Berlin.
The plot unraveled when news of Hitler’s survival spread. By early afternoon, loyalist officers, including Major Otto Ernst Remer of the Grossdeutschland Regiment, confirmed Hitler was alive after direct communication with him via Joseph Goebbels. Remer’s unit, initially mobilized by the conspirators, was ordered to arrest them instead. By evening, loyalist forces stormed the Bendlerblock, capturing Stauffenberg, Olbricht, Mertz von Quirnheim, and others. Stauffenberg and his immediate co-conspirators were executed by firing squad in the Bendlerblock courtyard around midnight on July 20. The failure of the plot triggered a brutal crackdown by the Nazi regime. The Gestapo arrested over 7,000 people, and approximately 4,980 were executed, including key figures like General Beck (who committed suicide) and Field Marshal Erwin von Witzleben. Others, like General Erich Fellgiebel, who disrupted communications at Wolf’s Lair, were tortured and killed. The Nazis used the plot to justify intensified repression, targeting not only conspirators but also their families through Sippenhaft (kinship punishment). Prominent civilians like Goerdeler were also executed. The plot’s failure prolonged the war, delaying Germany’s surrender until May 1945.
While the July 20 plot was not directly tied to Holocaust-related events, many conspirators were motivated by moral outrage over Nazi atrocities, including the genocide of Jews. By July 1944, the “Final Solution” was at its peak, with mass deportations to Auschwitz-Birkenau, particularly from Hungary, orchestrated by Adolf Eichmann. The liberation of the Majdanek extermination camp by Soviet forces on July 24, 1944, just days after the plot, exposed the Holocaust’s horrors to the world. Some plotters, like Henning von Tresckow, had knowledge of Einsatzgruppen massacres in the East and sought to end Nazi rule to halt such crimes. However, the plot’s failure meant no immediate relief for Jewish victims, and the Holocaust continued unabated.
Key people involved:
Adolf Hitler: Target of the assassination, survived with minor injuries, reinforcing his grip on power, Claus von Stauffenberg: Chief architect of the bomb plot, planted the explosive and led the coup attempt in Berlin, Ludwig Beck: Former Army Chief of Staff, intended to lead the post-coup government, committed suicide after the failure, Friedrich Olbricht: General who modified Operation Valkyrie and coordinated the coup from the Bendlerblock, Henning von Tresckow: Key conspirator who helped plan the assassination, later committed suicide to avoid capture, Otto Ernst Remer: Loyalist officer whose actions helped foil the coup, later promoted by Hitler
Mediterranean and African Theatre
In Italy, the Italian Campaign continued after the fall of Rome in June 1944. On July 20, Allied forces, including the U.S. 5th Army under General Mark Clark and the British 8th Army under General Oliver Leese, were advancing north of the Gustav Line, engaging German 10th Army units, including the 29th Panzergrenadier Division, near the Arno River. The fighting was intense, with Allied air support from P-51 Mustangs targeting German positions. North Africa was fully under Allied control, with no active combat in the region.
The Mediterranean saw reduced Axis naval activity, with Allied dominance ensuring safe supply lines. Malta, no longer under siege, served as a key base for RAF and U.S. Army Air Forces operations, targeting Axis shipping to Italy.
Outcome: Allied progress in Italy pressured German defenses, though rugged terrain and fortified lines slowed advances. The Mediterranean remained an Allied stronghold, supporting operations in Italy and beyond.
Pacific Theatre
In the Pacific, the Mariana and Palau Islands Campaign was underway. On July 20, U.S. forces were preparing for landings on Guam (July 21) and Tinian (July 24), following the capture of Saipan in early July. The U.S. 3rd Marine Division and 77th Infantry Division, under General Holland Smith, were staging for these invasions, facing Japanese garrisons led by General Takeshi Takashina on Guam. The U.S. Navy’s Task Force 58, with carriers like USS Hornet, provided air cover, neutralizing Japanese airfields. No major engagements occurred on July 20, but preparations were critical for upcoming victories.
Outcome: The Mariana Islands campaign secured key bases for B-29 bombers, bringing Japan within striking range and weakening their Pacific defenses.
Asian Theatre
In the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japan’s Operation Ichi-Go, launched in April 1944, aimed to capture southern China’s airfields. On July 20, Japanese forces, including the 11th Army under General Isamu Yokoyama, were advancing in Hunan Province, clashing with Chinese Nationalist forces under General Xue Yue. Chinese resistance, bolstered by U.S. 14th Air Force support under General Claire Chennault, slowed Japanese progress. In Burma, the Battle of Imphal and Kohima had ended in Allied victory in June, but on July 20, Allied forces, including the British 14th Army and Indian 5th Division, were mopping up Japanese 15th Army remnants under General Renya Mutaguchi, who faced supply shortages and disease.
Outcome: Japan’s gains in China came at high cost, with Chinese resistance and Allied air support limiting strategic success. In Burma, Allied victories secured northeastern India, weakening Japanese positions in Southeast Asia.
Key Personalities
World War II Events on July 20, 1945
Overview of Key Events
By July 20, 1945, World War II in Europe had concluded with Germany’s surrender on May 8, 1945, but the Pacific and Asian theatres remained active as the Allies pressed Japan toward surrender. The Potsdam Conference, ongoing since July 17, saw Allied leaders planning the postwar world and issuing demands for Japan’s capitulation. In the Pacific, intense fighting continued in the Philippines and Borneo, with Japanese forces resisting Allied advances.
European and Atlantic Theatre
With Germany’s surrender, active combat in Europe had ceased by July 20, 1945. The European and Atlantic Theatre was focused on postwar recovery, occupation, and addressing the Holocaust’s aftermath. Allied forces, including the U.S. 3rd Army under General George S. Patton and the Soviet 1st Belorussian Front under Marshal Georgy Zhukov, were administering occupied Germany, managing displaced persons, and securing war criminals for trials. The Potsdam Conference, held in Potsdam, Germany, involved key Allied leaders—U.S. President Harry S. Truman, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (replaced by Clement Attlee mid-conference)—discussing Germany’s demilitarization, reparations, and the prosecution of Nazi war criminals.
Jewish Affairs: The Holocaust’s devastating impact was becoming fully apparent as Allied forces liberated survivors and documented atrocities. By July 20, 1945, major extermination camps like Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Majdanek had been liberated, revealing the scale of the “Final Solution,” which claimed approximately 6 million Jewish lives. On this date, no specific Holocaust-related events are recorded, but survivors faced dire conditions in displaced persons (DP) camps across Europe, such as Bergen-Belsen, now under British administration. Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Brigade (formed under the British Army), were aiding survivors, helping them reconnect with families or emigrate, often to Palestine. The Bricha movement facilitated illegal Jewish immigration to Palestine, defying British restrictions. War crimes investigations were intensifying, with the International Military Tribunal preparing for the Nuremberg Trials, targeting figures like Heinrich Himmler (deceased) and Adolf Eichmann (still at large).
Outcome: Europe transitioned to occupation and reconstruction, with the Potsdam Conference shaping postwar policies. Jewish survivors struggled in DP camps, with resistance movements like Bricha aiding emigration, while Allied efforts focused on justice for Holocaust perpetrators.
Mediterranean and African Theatre
The Mediterranean and African Theatre saw no active combat by July 20, 1945, as Axis forces had been defeated in North Africa (May 1943) and Italy (April 1945). Allied forces, including the British 8th Army and U.S. 5th Army, were overseeing occupation duties in Italy, managing surrendered German and Italian troops. The Mediterranean served as a logistical hub for Allied shipping, with bases like Malta supporting operations in the Pacific via the Suez Canal. No significant military actions occurred on this date.
Outcome: The Mediterranean region stabilized as an Allied-controlled zone, facilitating supply routes and postwar administration.
Pacific Theatre
In the Pacific, the Allies were tightening their grip on Japanese-held territories. On July 20, 1945, the Battle of Balikpapan in Borneo, part of the Borneo Campaign, was winding down after Australian forces, including the 7th Division under Major General Edward Milford, captured key oil facilities from the Japanese 22nd Naval Base Force. In the Philippines, the Luzon Campaign continued, with U.S. 6th Army units, under General Walter Krueger, engaging Japanese 14th Area Army remnants led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita in northern Luzon’s mountains. U.S. air raids, including B-29 Superfortress missions from the Mariana Islands, intensified over Japan, targeting cities and infrastructure, though no specific raids are noted for July 20. The U.S. Navy’s Task Force 38, under Admiral William Halsey, conducted carrier-based strikes on Japanese naval targets.
Outcome: Allied victories in Borneo and the Philippines weakened Japanese defenses, while air raids brought Japan closer to surrender, setting the stage for the atomic bombings in August.
Asian Theatre
In the Second Sino-Japanese War, fighting persisted in China, though Japan was on the defensive. On July 20, 1945, Chinese Nationalist forces under Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, supported by the U.S. 14th Air Force led by General Claire Chennault, conducted operations in Hunan and Guangxi provinces, reclaiming territory from the Japanese 11th Army. In Burma, the campaign had largely concluded by May 1945, but Allied forces, including the British 14th Army under General William Slim, were mopping up Japanese stragglers from the 28th Army, who faced starvation and disease in jungle retreats. The Potsdam Conference’s discussions on Japan’s surrender, ongoing on July 20, signaled increasing pressure, with the Allies preparing the Potsdam Declaration (issued July 26) demanding unconditional surrender.
Outcome: Chinese advances and Allied victories in Burma further eroded Japan’s control, while diplomatic efforts at Potsdam foreshadowed Japan’s imminent capitulation.
Key Personalities
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