January 14
Far East, Burma
The 19th Division, part of Lieutenant General William Slim's British Fourteenth Army, crosses the Irrawaddy River at Kyaukmyaung but is then violently attacked by Japanese troops holding the line of the waterway. Forced back by hordes of infantry with fixed bayonets, the division manages to hold the bridgehead in the face of the fierce onslaught.

January 15-26
Western Front, Germany
After the containment of the German Ardennes offensive, the Allies launch a large counterattack against the Germans. In the north, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's British 21st Army Group presses into the Roermond area, while farther south General Omar Bradley's US 12th Army Group approaches the upper Roer River.

January 16
Far East, Burma
In the north of the country, General Daniel Sultan's Chinese New First Army occupies Namhkan. The last Japanese positions threatening the Burma Road have been eradicated.

January 18-27
Eastern Front, Hungary
The German IV SS Panzer Corps launches an offensive to relieve Budapest. In the face of Soviet resistance, it reaches the Vali River on the 22nd, only 15 miles (24 km) southwest of the city. However, the momentum of the attack had been halted by the 25th, and two days later the Red Army counterattacks with 12 rifle divisions and strong armored support, effectively ending the German Budapest relief operation.

January 18-February 3
Far East, Burma
A vicious battle develops at Namhpakka between the Japanese 56th Division, which is retreating to Lashio, and the American Mars Brigade.

As the Red Army steamroller gathers momentum,
Estonian coastguards fire a salute to welcome
the Soviets

January 19
Eastern Front, Poland
Following heavy fighting, units of the 1st Ukrainian Front liberate Cracow, the former capital of Poland. The German Third and Fourth Panzer Armies are now isolated in East Prussia, and the German Front is falling apart in the face of immense pressure.

January 21
Far East, Burma
The island of Ramree is invaded by the British 71st Brigade. Japanese resistance is virtually non-existent, although it stiffens as Allied troops push farther inland. The island is not cleared until the middle of February, by which time General William Slim has an invaluable base for future long-range operations against Rangoon.

prev | next