In Tokyo… On instructions from Emperor Hirohito, Prime Minister Suzuki tells the Japanese Supreme Council that it is the intention of Hirohito to seek peace with the Allies as soon as possible.

Over Japan… American bombers begin a series of 23 raids against major Japanese cities, all with populations between 100,000 and 350,000 people.

In China… Chinese forces capture the port of Wenchow.

In the Ryukyu Islands… On Okinawa, the remnants of the Japanese 32nd Army continue to offer determined resistance to attacks of the US 3rd Amphibious Corps and the US 24th Corps. Lt. General Simon Bolivar Buckner, commanding US 10th Army, is killed by Japanese artillery fire while he is on a visit to the front line, inspecting troops of the US 8th Marine Division. He is temporarily replaced by General Geiger, commanding the US 3rd Amphibious Corps.

In the Philippines… On Luzon, elements of the US 37th Division, supported by an armored column, advance in the Caygayan valley, capturing Ilagan airfield and crossing the Ilagan River. On Mindanao, organized Japanese resistance comes to an end. Forces of the Japanese 35th Army have been cut off and dependent on roots and tree bark for food for some time now. Nonetheless, some small units of Japanese continue to resist.

In the Greater Sunda Islands… On Borneo, Australians reach Tutong in Brunei.

In Washington… General Eisenhower addresses a joint session of Congress as he begins a series of victory celebrations in his honor.

In Britain… William Joyce, Lord Haw Haw, is put on trial for treason in London, for broadcasting propaganda from Germany. The armed services begin demobilizing at a rate of 30,000 people per week.

In Moscow… Sixteen officers of the Polish Home Army are put on trial for fighting the Red Army.