On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Soviet forces reach Lake Balaton, southwest of Budapest. To the south, Baros on the Drava River is captured.

In Liberated Romania... A new government takes office. It is led by General Nicolae Radescu and pledges to fully implement the terms of the armistice, to provide assistance to the Allies and to purge all pro-Nazis.

On the Western Front... The US 3rd Army penetrates the Siegfried Line northwest of Saarlautern.

In the Philippines... On Leyte, the US 77th Division lands about one mile south of Ormoc. There is some Japanese resistance. One of the 12 escorting destroyers is sunk by a Kamikaze attack. Meanwhile, the US 7th Division continues attacking northward toward Ormoc.

In Japan... An earthquake strikes the Tokai area, disrupting rail communications and temporarily halting production at the Mitsubishi aircraft works at Nagoya.