The United States Army took the bridge over the Rhine at Remagen intact, and by surprise.
The Battle of Remagen commenced.
The failure of the Germans to have destroyed the heavy railroad bridge, last used by U.S. forces in 1918, was a major failure and the bridge's capture a major event in the advance of the U.S. Army into Germany.
Romania declared war on Japan.
The U-1302 was sunk in the St. George's Channel by the Canadian frigates Strathadam and Thefford Mines.
Operation Spring Awakening was launched by the Germans. It would be their last major offensive. An Eastern Front offensive, oil reserves were the target.
King Michael of Romania installed Petru Groza as Prime Minister of Romania due to Soviet pressure.
The Soviets began to arrest or kill anyone associated with the Polish Government In Exile or the Polish Home Army.
The famous tank battle in Cologne between a German Panther and a M26 named Eagle 7 took place. It's one of the best known American v. German tank battles of World War Two, and ironically took place in a large urban environment.
The battle was, unusually, completely filmed.
The crew of Eagle 7, after the battle.
"The crew of an M26 Pershing tank, nicknamed "Eagle 7," of the 3rd Armored Division pose for a photo after their famous victorious tank duel against a German Panther tank in Cologne, Germany, March 1945. Commander - Sgt. Robert M. Earley of Fountain, Minn Gunner - Cpl. Clarence E. Smoyer of Lehighton, Pa Loader - Pvt. John S. Deriggi of Scranton, Pa Driver - T/5 William D. McVey of Jackson, Mich Assistant Driver - Pvt. Homer L. Davis of Morehead, Ky.
The Chinese 1st Army took Lashio, Burma.
"The crew of the Ninth U.S. Army Sherman tank who escaped injury though their vehicle was hit by four German 88 shells in action during the capture of Hottorf, near Erkelenz, Germany. L to R: Tec 5 John Helbo, driver, South Plainfield, N.J.; Tec 5 William B. Paff, cannoneer, Morrisville, Pa.; Sgt. Matteo Fortino, tank commander, Bronx, New York; Pfc. Leo V. Digangi, gunner, Jackson Heights, Long Island, N.Y.; and Pfc. Steve Raguseo, assistant driver. 6 March, 1945."
"Riflemen of "K" Co., 87th Mtn. Inf., 10th Mtn. Div., firing at German positions 200 yards away during the attack up the Porretta-Moderna Highway. 3 March, 1945. Company K, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division."
The Battle of Manilla ended in a U.S. victory.
Hitler visited General Theodor Busse’s 9th Army Headquarters, close to the river Oder. It was Hitler's last visit to the front.
Red Army tank commander Aleksandra Grigoryevna Samusenko was killed. There are two variants of her death, both involving her being run over by a tracked vehicle. She may have been accidentally run over by a Red Army tank.
She was a real exception to the rule about women in combat generally. Unfortunately, not a great deal is known about her. She appears as the "daughter of the regiment" of a tank unit as early as 1934, when she was 12 years gold, and it appears that by that time her mother was dead. Her ethnic origin is debated, with Belorussian, Ukrainian and Tartar all claimed (fwiw, she looks pretty Ukrainian). Effectively, she was in the Red Army from about 12 years of age on.
Finland retroactively declared war on Germany, dating the start of the war to September 15, 1944.
The Luftwaffe commenced Operation Gisela, a nighttime intruder operation aimed at RAF night operations. The aircraft lost by the Luftwaffe in the operation was nearly the same as that lost by the RAF, 22 to 24.
The Polish post Home Army and Polish civilians killed up to 500 Ukrainians in hte Pawlokoma Massacre in retaliation for Ukrainian Insurgent Army attacks on civilians, although there is evidence that the NKVD, and not the UIA, had carried out the attacks the Poles were seeking revenge for.
"Pvt. Robert E. Hammond, Osceola Mills, Pa., directs artillery fire on Modrath, Germany, in support of an infantry regiment's drive to take the town. The observation post is in Kerpen, 1½ miles west. 2 March, 1945. 121st Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division." When I did this same job, I used a binocular BS Scope. This scope is basically what target shooters use now.
The 9th Army took Neuss, Roermond and Venlo.
The 3d Army took Trier.
"Soldiers of the 8th Armored Division rest along the roadside, during the drive toward the Rhine River. U.S. Ninth Army. 2 March, 1945. [Illegible], Germany. 8th Armored Division. Photographer: Tesser." Note that the solider is taking a photograph with a 120mm camera'.
The U.S. Navy bombarded the Rhyku Islands, vis naval artillery and airstrikes, for 48 hours.
Signal Corps Photo. This appears to be a M26 with its turret pointing to the rear for travel. The M26 was just coming into service at this time.
Iran declared war on Japan.
Franklin Roosevelt reported on the Yalta Conference. He was unable to stand.
The Wehrmacht launched an offensive around Lauban.
The Ninth Army took Mönchengladbach.
"Infantrymen of the U.S. Third Army move through war-torn city of Prum, Germany, of which little is left but blasted buildings and debris-littered streets. 1 March, 1945. 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division."
"After the town of Disternich, Germany, fell to units of the 9th Armored Division, civilians are gathered to be interrogated by military authorities. 1 March, 1945. Company A, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th Armored Division." This is an interesting photograph for a variety of reasons, one of which simply is to note what's occurring, the interrogation of civilians in the Westphalian town of Disternich. Note the peasant like appearance of the German civilians. Peasantry is probably exactly what they are. Note also the medic. This was for an interrogation, but there must have been a concern that the civilians would be sick or injured. The soldier on the right with the M1 Garand provides us with a really good example of Maine Hunting Shoes in use by the U.S. Army. Note also his armored division shoulder patch.
"Children of parents left destitute in wake of German retreat from Manheim, Germany, receive milk after civilians were able to round up food for themselves. Scene in sector held by 3rd Armored Division of 1st U.S. Army. 1 March, 1945. Photographer: W. B. Allen, 165th Signal Photo Co." Note that the boy in the foreground is wearing a classic German mutze with some sort of cap device.
Michael Strank, one of the Marines photographed raising the flag on Iwo Jima, lost his life in the battle.
He was born in Czechoslovakia to a Rusyn family, and had immigrated to the US as a child with his family.
Samoa officially became an unwilling part of the German Empire. Wilhelm Solf became the first governor. Chief Mata'afa, who had fought against the Germans, was named as the paramount chief of the western Samoa colony and Kaiser Wilhelm II was designated as the Paramount King.
Of interest, Solf would die in 1936, his efforts to create a new moderate German political party after the rise of Nazism having failed, but his wife, Johanna, would form the Solf Circle resistance group and personally sheltered Jews along with one of her daughters. She was arrested and put in a concentration camp, but survived and passed away in 1954.
German officer taken prisoner by U.S. Army, February 28, 1945.
The Red Army too Neustettin.
The Third Army too Bitburg.
German POWs taken by 4th Infantry Division, part of the 3d Army. The US infantrymen have the typical late war disheveled look in spite of being part of the 3d Army. At least two of three of the German POWs are Luftwaffe personnel.
The US conducts landings at Puerto Princesa on Palawan.
John Harlan Willis performed the actions that resulted in his being conferred a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Platoon Corpsman serving with the 3d Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 28 February 1945. Constantly imperiled by artillery and mortar fire from strong and mutually supporting pillboxes and caves studding Hill 362 in the enemy's cross-island defenses, Willis resolutely administered first aid to the many marines wounded during the furious close-in fighting until he himself was struck by shrapnel and was ordered back to the battle-aid station. Without waiting for official medical release, he quickly returned to his company and, during a savage hand-to-hand enemy counterattack, daringly advanced to the extreme frontlines under mortar and sniper fire to aid a marine lying wounded in a shellhole. Completely unmindful of his own danger as the Japanese intensified their attack, Willis calmly continued to administer blood plasma to his patient, promptly returning the first hostile grenade which landed in the shell-hole while he was working and hurling back 7 more in quick succession before the ninth exploded in his hand and instantly killed him. By his great personal valor in saving others at the sacrifice of his own life, he inspired his companions, although terrifically outnumbered, to launch a fiercely determined attack and repulse the enemy force. His exceptional fortitude and courage in the performance of duty reflect the highest credit upon Willis and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
"In the background, behind the U.S. soldier and tank destroyer, the town of Irsch, Germany, burns. 27 February, 1945. 10th Armored Division." Photographer: T/5 D. R. Ornitz.
Civil administration of the Philippines was handed over to President Sergio Osmeña.
Lebanon declared war on the Axis.
The U-327 and U-1018 were sunk by the Royal Navy.
Sgt. Ross F. Gray won a posthumous Medal of Honor on Iwo Jima. His citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Acting Platoon Sergeant serving with Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, February 21, 1945. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation when his platoon was held up by a sudden barrage of hostile grenades while advancing toward the high ground northeast of Airfield Number One, Sergeant Gray promptly organized the withdrawal of his men from enemy grenade range, quickly moved forward alone to reconnoiter and discovered a heavily mined area extending along the front of a strong network of emplacements joined by covered communication trenches. Although assailed by furious gunfire, he cleared a path leading through the mine field to one of the fortifications then returned to the platoon position and, informing his leader of the serious situation, volunteered to initiate an attack while being covered by three fellow Marines. Alone and unarmed but carrying a twenty-four pound satchel charge, he crept up the Japanese emplacement, boldly hurled the short-fused explosive and sealed the entrance. Instantly taken under machine-gun fire from a second entrance to the same position, he unhesitatingly braved the increasingly vicious fusillades to crawl back for another charge, returned to his objective and blasted the second opening, thereby demolishing the position. Repeatedly covering the ground between the savagely defended enemy fortifications and his platoon area, he systematically approached, attacked and withdrew under blanketing fire to destroy a total of six Japanese positions, more than twenty-five of the enemy and a quantity of vital ordnance gear and ammunition. Stouthearted and indomitable, Sergeant Gray had single-handedly overcome a strong enemy garrison and had completely disarmed a large mine field before finally rejoining his unit and, by his great personal valor, daring tactics and tenacious perseverance in the face of extreme peril, had contributed materially to the fulfillment of his company's mission. His gallant conduct throughout enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Gunnery Sergeant William G. Walsh likewise won a Medal of Honor:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Leader of an Assault Platoon, serving with Company G, Third Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 27 February 1945. With the advance of his company toward Hill 362 disrupted by vicious machine-gun fire from a forward position which guarded the approaches to this key enemy stronghold, Gunnery Sergeant Walsh fearlessly charged at the head of his platoon against the Japanese entrenched on the ridge above him, utterly oblivious to the unrelenting fury of hostile automatic weapons and hand grenades employed with fanatic desperation to smash his daring assault. Thrown back by the enemy's savage resistance, he once again led his men in a seemingly impossible attack up the steep, rocky slope, boldly defiant of the annihilating streams of bullets which saturated the area, and despite his own casualty losses and the overwhelming advantage held by the Japanese in superior numbers and dominate position, gained the ridge's top only to be subjected to an intense barrage of hand grenades thrown by the remaining Japanese staging a suicidal last stand on the reverse slope. When one of the grenades fell in the midst of his surviving men, huddled together in a small trench, Gunnery Sergeant Walsh in a final valiant act of complete self-sacrifice, instantly threw himself upon the deadly bomb, absorbing with his own body the full and terrific force of the explosion. Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, he saved his comrades from injury and possible loss of life and enabled his company to seize and hold this vital enemy position. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
The British Indian 17th Division took Tahlaing and the Thabuktong airfield.
A midnight curfew on bars, nightclubs and all other places of entertainment went into effect in the US in order to save coal.
USAAF Gen. Millard Fillmore Harmon Jr. and Brig. Gen. James Roy Andersen disappeared in an aircraft over the Pacific.
"With the gun crew riding on top, a tank destroyer chassis tows a huge Seventh Army 8-inch rifle through a French town, on the way to the front. 26 February, 1945. Monnenheim, France. 575th Field Artillery Battalion, 35th Field Artillery Group."
"Crosses are erected over Protestant and Catholic graves, the Star of David over those of the Jewish faith, in this U.S. military cemetery somewhere in the European Theater of Operations. 26 February, 1945. Foy, Belgium. Photographer: T/5 Billy Newhouse."
"Clouds of black smoke pour from a German oil refinery in Wehrden, Germany, after an attack by American P-47 planes turned it into a roaring holocaust. 25 February, 1945. Ludeweiler, Germany, 101st Cavalry Reconnaissance Group.:
American forces captured Düren.
GI's ponder graffitti in Belgium celebrating the Red Army. February 25, 1945.
