August 21st, 1945 (TUESDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM: Westminster: The government announces its intention to nationalize the Bank of England.
KURILE ISLANDS: 2 US Eleventh Air Force B-24s are prevented by cloud cover from taking photos of the Soviet occupation; 4 others abort a photo mission to Paramushiru and Shimushu Islands due to weather.
CHINA: Mukden: Against fast-crumbling resistance Soviet forces have occupied nearly all of Manchuria, ending 14 years of Japanese occupation. Kwantung Army troops are surrendering at the rate of 100,000 a day.
Despite agreeing a surrender two days ago the Red Army is pressing forward to seize territory before the cease-fire. Yesterday Soviet advance paratroops landed in Manchuria’s four main cities. Soviet forces estimate that they are a say away from regaining Port Arthur, seized by Japan from Russia in 1905. The 12-day campaign has been a triumph for Marshal Vasilevsky’s use of three armies at separate points on the 1,500 mile front. Although outmanned and outgunned, the Japanese had the defensive advantage of mountains ringing the Manchurian basin. But they had reckoned without the fast Soviet armoured advance through the Hingan passes with tanks supplied by air with fuel and ammunition.
Tokyo: JAPAN appeals to kamikaze pilots to cease operations.
CANADA: Tug HMCS Murray Stewart paid off.
U.S.A.: After delivering $50 billion of goods to the Allies, President Truman orders Lend-Lease aid to stop. This action stands in stark contrast to the earlier generosity of Lend-Lease or later the Marshall Plan.
Destroyer USS Ernest G Small commissioned.
Minesweeper USS Tercel commissioned.
Anyone see the irony of the story of Lt. Wada next to the story about Vidkun Quisling?
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