In Berlin... The official German news agency reports that vast numbers of volunteers are joining the Volkssturm militia, including men older than the specified age group and boys younger than specified.

On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces now hold a 137 km frontage in East Prussia.

In Finland... Soviet forces clear the Petsamo region.

On the Western Front... The Canadian 1st Army continues the battle of the Scheldt. British 4th Armored Division attacks at the east end of the Beveland Isthmus. To the south, forces of the US 7th Army are engaged around Bruyeres and St. Die.

In Italy... Troops of the US 5th Army capture Monte Salvaro.

In the Philippines... The US 1st Cavalry Division (part of US 10th Corps) attacks northwest form Toclaban. To the right, armored forces attached to 7th Division (part of US 24th Corps) capture Burauen. At sea, the Japanese Center Force (Kurita) is sited off Palawan by two American submarines. The Japanese lose 2 cruisers to the submarines and sink 1 American submarine. The report of the sighting, however, alerts the three groups of Task Force 38, east of the Philippines.