-With the beginning of 1945 is the beginning of the Japaneses' Divine Wind: the Kamikazes which will give their life by crashing their planes on enemy ships.
-The american progression in the Philippines continue has they conquer Mindoro January 3rd. They attack from south and east but the Japaneses fend off every fights and retreat in the mountains North-East, at the end of Manilla. March 4th the american soldiers enter Manilla but they will still have one month of fights before having control of the city. At the end of March 50 000 japanese soldiers are trapped in the surrounding mountains with their chief Yamashita ; they will resist until the capitulation.
-While the american soldiers are conquering the Philippines, Nimitz with its fleet is closing on Japan and February 19th two Marine divisions land on Iwojima and take hold but it will take them 5 weeks and 6000 deads to defeat the 25 000 Japaneses.
-In March, the Strategic Air Command has begun its intensive incendiary raids on the major cities of Japan.
-At the end of March the Allies form the biggest Pacific fleet: 1450 ships are going to Okinawa to confront their boarded men to the 130 000 Japaneses and hundred planes (most of which are Kamikazes). During 8 weeks the fight will be only aerial: the japanese airplanes sink 36 ships, damage 350 others and shoot down 800 american planes ; but it cost them 8000 planes. In a desperate move to save Okinawa the Japanese send their big battleship Yamato in a suicidal mission, but american planes will sink it before on the North coast of the island. At the beginning of April 300 000 soldiers land on the island and after 11 weeks 39 000 of them will be dead but still killed 137 000 Japaneses. Also 100 000 civilians will be killed. This is an insight of what the losses will be at the landing at Kyushu-Japan (Olympic operation which is ready).
-While preparing for the attack on Japan the Americans reenforce the blocade around Japan with its submarines that have sunk since the beginning of the war 4 800 000 tons of ships : that's 1100 merchant ships which means 56% of their importations.
-July 27, admiral Suzuki Kantaro's government (which is replacing Tojo who has resignated after the japanese defeat at Saipan) say no to the Allies' offer of Postdam: surrender without any conditions. Japan build up its military strenght: 8000 airplanes are ready to take off, a hundred of suicidal-ships have been buit and 2 000 000 soldiers with an important milicia are also ready.
-July 16th, the Manhattan project is completed: one atomic bomb explode at Alamogordo, New-Mexico. The new president: Truman, who is succeeding to Roosevelt who died April 12th, agree on its use.
-In the night of July 29th, the heavy cruiser Indianapolis which was joining its fleet after bringing the parts of the 2 atomic bombs is sunk by the japanese submarine I-58 under the orders of captain Hashimoto.
-August 6th at 8 o'clock a.m., a B-29 bomber releases one atomic bomb on Hiroshima: the city is completely stripped to ground and 70 000 civilians are killed.
-August 9th a second bomb is dropped on Nagasaki because the Japanese government wasn't convinced.
-Also August 9th the Soviets declare war against Japan and launch an attack in Manchouria.
-August 10th the Japaneses agree to capitulation if their Emperor can stay.
-August 15th, Emperor Hirohito officially declares to his people that Japan has capitulated , the Second World War is over.
Le 15 août, l'Empereur Hirohito annonce officiellement à son peuple la capitulation du Japon.
Introduction Chronologie Biographie Liens Glossaire
This page hosted by 
Get your own Free Home Page