US fighters, such as these Mustangs, could escort
the bombers on their missions to
the Japanese homelands

April 7
Sea War, Pacific
The Yamato, the world's largest battleship, is sunk at sea by US warplanes while making its way to attack US forces on Okinawa. The battleship is on a suicide mission, with just enough fuel to reach the island.

Air War, Japan
Some 108 P-51s take off from Iwo Jima to escort B-29 bombers heading for Japan. They are the first US land-based fighters to reach mainland Japan.

April 9
Pacific, Okinawa
The US XXIV Corps begins to attack the Shuri defenses on Okinawa. Japanese resistance is heavy and the Americans can make no headway.

April 9-10
Italy, Argenta Gap
The final campaign in Italy begins as the US Fifth and British Eighth Armies commence their fight for control of the Po Valley. The plan of Field Marshal Harold Alexander, commander-in-chief of Allied forces in Italy, is for the Eighth Army to attack westward through the Argenta Gap, while the Fifth Army strikes north, west of Bologna, thereby trapping German Army Group C between the two.

On the night of April 9, after a massive aerial bombardment and five artillery bombardments, the offensive opens with the Indian 8th and New Zealand 2nd Divisions attacking toward Lugo across the Senino River. By dawn on the 10th, Allied tanks are crossing the Senino River over three bridges, with Allied aircraft overhead providing effective support to the operation.

April 10
Far East, Burma
General William Slim's British Fourteenth Army commences an offensive to capture Rangoon. It is a race against time to take the city before the monsoons begin in mid-May. He must also stop the Japanese forming a defensive line north of Rangoon and halting his advance.

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