On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces advancing through Romania reach the Yugoslavian border on the Danube River at Turnu-Severin. In the Baltic, Soviet forces capture Ostroleka, 25 miles from the East Prussian border of Germany.

On the Western Front... Forces of British 21st Army Group capture Ghent, Courtrai and Armentieres. Canadian elements reach the English Channel north of Calais, south of Boulogne. In the advance of US 12th Army Group, US 1st Army crosses the Meuse River at several points south of Namur.

In Southern France... The French 2nd Corps (part of US 7th Army) captures Chalons-sur-Saone.

In the United States... The army announces that it will demobilize 1,000,000 men after the defeat of Germany.

In Britain... The Minister for Home Security, Herbert Morrison, announces a relaxation of blackout and other civil defense measures. The War Office ends compulsory training and drills for the Home Guard.

In the Palau Islands... All four carrier groups of US Task Force 38 (Admiral Mitscher), 16 aircraft carriers, begin air strikes on Japanese positions on the islands. The commander of the US 3rd Fleet, Admiral Halsey, is present on board the battleship USS New Jersey.