Chronology of World War II
Allies assume control of Germany
Tuesday, June 5, 1945 www.onwar.com
The Commanders of the Allied Occupation Forces, they are the chief representatives of their nations in the Allied Control Council. Field Marshal Montomery (UK), Marshal Zhukov, (USSR), General Eisenhower (US) and General de Lattre de Tassigny (France) saluting the raising of their countries flags in Berlin.

In Occupied Germany... The Allied Control Commission meets for the first time in Berlin. The country is to be divided into four occupation zones and Berlin is to be divided into four occupation sectors. Eisenhower, Montgomery, Zhukov and de Lattre de Tassigny meet in a riverside club which is the Soviet delegation headquarters. They sign a document, containing 15 articles, in which the four powers reaffirm the complete defeat of Germany and assume authority over all aspects of life in the country. The frontiers of Germany are identified as those which existed on December 31, 1937.

In the Philippines... On Luzon, the US 37th Division (US 1st Corps) occupy Aritao and advance northward from the town.

In the Ryukyu Islands... On Okinawa, Japanese forces on the Oroku peninsula strongly resist the US 6th Marine Division which nonetheless captures most of the airfield. In the south the forces of the US 24th Corps near the last Japanese defensive line, running from Yuza in the west to Guschichan on the east coast and based on the three hills, Yaeju, Yuza and Mezado. At sea, a sudden typhoon damages 4 battleships, 8 aircraft carriers, 7 cruisers, 14 destroyers, 2 tankers, and and ammunition transport ship, of the US 3rd Fleet. A Japanese Kamikaze attack cripples the battleship USS Mississippi and the heavy cruiser USS Louisville.

Over Japan... A total of 473 US B-29 Superfortress bombers strike Kobe with 3000 tons of incendiary bombs.

In London... Prime Minister Churchill rejects the accusation by French President de Gaulle that the British incited civil war in Syria.


This chronological study of the Second World War provides a comprehensive day-by-day account of WWII. While focused on the military history of the war, with an emphasis on the battles and campaigns fought, the timeline includes social and political history as well. Some Holocaust related events are already recorded and additional updates are pending. In so far as possible, the images included in this presentation are pictures from the given days. Additional information and images are welcome through the feedback form found on the index.