In Occupied Germany… In Berlin, the Allied occupation forces hold a victory parade. At 1430 a warrant officer of the British Guards hoisted the Union Jack over Berlin at the German victory column, near the Brandenburg Gate. The ceremony took place in the presence of officers and troops of the American, British, French and Soviet armies.

In Washington… The American chiefs of staff authorize a special operation, known as Overcast, which is intended to exploit “chosen, rare minds whose continuing intellectual productivity we wish to use” from among German scientists.

In Managua… Nicaragua becomes the first state to ratify the United Nations Charter.

In China… General Claire Chennault resigns his command of the US 14th Army Air Force in protest to plans to disband it.

In Burma… Japanese forces strike at British forward positions in the Sittang river bend east of Pegu but fail to make significant gains. Heavy casualties are reportedly inflicted on the Japanese. A Japanese attack on the Mawchi road, 24 miles east of Toungoo is defeated.

Over Japan… Some 600 US B-29 Superfortress bombers struck Osaka, Kofu, Chiba, Shimizu (near Tokyo), Shimotsu and Akashi, all on Honshu. Nearly 4000 tons of bombs are dropped.