In Occupied Austria... British troops begin the forcible repatriation of
some 40,000 members of the Cossack Corps, many of whom are accompanied
by their families, to Judenborg in the Soviet occupation zone. The
mainly Russian soldiers of the Cossack Corps, led by General Timophey
Domanoc, served with the German armed forces on the Eastern Front and
surrendered to the British at the end of the war. In order to complete
the transfer without incident, British officers are have been told to
continue the pretence that the Russians will be allowed to settle in the
west. A pitched battle takes place and about 700 Cossacks are shot, trampled or commit
suicide, fearing their fate in Soviet hands. British soldiers are told
that the repatriations are being carried out under the terms of the
Yalta agreement but there are reports of distress in the ranks over the
action. The event becomes known as the "Peggetz Masscre." In
Occupied Germany... The Soviet appointed mayor of Berlin warns that
50 Nazis will be killed for every attack made on the occupying forces. In
the Middle East... British troops occupy Syria and Lebanon.
In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, after the fall of Shuri,
General Mushijima orders the Japanese troops to withdraw southward,
towards the Oroku peninsula and the hills of Yaeju, Yuza and Mezado in
the extreme south of the island. There are reports of discontent among
the Japanese troops, something previously unheard of in the Imperial
Army. Elements of the US 1st Marine Division cross the Koruba river,
south of Naha. The forces of the US 24th Corps pursue the retreating
Japanese while elements mop up around Shuri.
In the Philippines... On Luzon, the US 37th Division (US 1st
Corps) advances rapidly in the Cagayan valley. Japanese resistance is
reduced to rearguard actions. On Mindanao, American forces are engaged
north of Davao.
In Burma... The British 12th Army becomes operational.
Over Japan... During a thunderstorm, 27 P-51 fighters collide en route to Osaka.
American aircraft drop over 3000 tons of incendiary bombs on Osaka.
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