August 4
Far East, Burma
The last remnants of the Japanese Twenty-eighth Army are killed. The Allies have lost just 96 men killed.

August 6
Air War, Japan
The B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay drops an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, killing 70,000 and injuring the same number.

The Japanese city of Hiroshima, devastated by the first use of an atomic bomb in warfare on August 6, 1945

August 9
Far East, Manchuria
A massive Soviet offensive by 1.5 million men begins against the Japanese Kwantung Army. The swiftest campaign in the Red Army's history has begun.

Air War, Japan
A second US atomic bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, following Tokyo's non-compliance with an ultimatum that further bombs would be dropped unless there was an immediate surrender. The bomb kills 35,000 people and injures a further 60,000.

August 10
Politics, Japan
Following a conference, during which the emperor voices his support for an immediate acceptance of the Potsdam Proclamation, Japan announces its willingness to surrender unconditionally.

August 15
Politics, Japan
Emperor Hirohito broadcasts to the Japanese people for the first tine calling on them to respond loyally to his command to surrender.

AUGUST 23
Far East, Manchuria
The campaign in Manchuria ends in total Soviet victory. The Japanese have lost over 80,000 dead and 594,000 taken prisoner. Soviet losses are 8000 men killed and 22,000 wounded.

September 2
Politics, Allies
Aboard the battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu and General Yoshijiro Umezo sign the Instrument of Surrender. General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, signs on behalf of all the nations at war with Japan. World War II is finally over.