February 5th 1945, France.
The German bridgehead in the western bank of the Rhine in Colmar, south of Strasbourg is split by units of the I French Army from the south and the VII American Army, from the north.
February 9th 1945, Germany.
Marshal Iván Kóniev’s I Ukrainian Front starts a very powerful offensive to establish a defence line along the Oder River. By the 24th, his forces have advanced 120 kilometres, liberated Lower Silesia and 93.000 Soviet citizens and 22.500 other foreigners from German captivity.
February 9th 1945, France.
Field marshal Gerd von Runstedt, commander in chief of the western front convinces Hitler to withdraw the XIX Germany Army across the Rhine, after the Colmar pocket had been created. The western side of the river is now clear of Germans.
February 10th 1945, Poland.
The Soviet II Byelorussian Front attacks Grudziadz and Sepolno and clashes with heavy resistance by the II German Army.
February 11th 1945, Hungary.
The Axis garrison in Budapest tries to escape the encirclement in the city, but less than 700 of the 30.000 men trapped, manage to get out.
February 13th – February 14th 1945, Germany.
805 bombers from the RAF BC attack the Saxon City of Dresden. The next day, 400 bombers from the USAAF continue the attack. There’s almost complete destruction of the ancient city and great life-loss.
February 14th 1945, Eastern Prussia.
As result of the Red Army’s advance, 2.3 million inhabitants of Eastern Prussia have fled westwards by sea, air, roads, and railroads. Many thousands died of starvation, cold and Soviet fire.
February 16th – February 28th 1945, Philippines.
The American forces start expelling the Japanese from Manila Bay, out of Luzon. Bataan peninsula falls easily but Corregidor Island sees heavy resistance. The assault begins on the 16th, an airborne battalion falls on the island Southeast hills. Simultaneously, a marine battalion lands in the south. The island falls on the 28th.
February 16th 1945, Iwo-Jima.
The US Navy starts shelling the island for three days.
February 17th 1945, Iwo-Jima.
Marine Corps’ 4th and 5th divisions, under lieutenant general Holland M. Smith land in the island, almost unopposed, but the resistance stiffens once in-land. 21.000 Japanese defend the island and cause severe casualties to the Americans, who despite of that, land 30.000 men that day.
February 21st 1942, Germany.
The I Canadian Army takes Noch, ending operation ‘Veritable’, an offensive from Nijmegen, between Maas and Rhine rivers.
February 21st 1945, Burma.
The British XIV Army of General William Slim start the re-conquest of central Burma. From bridgeheads at Irawaddy, he heads to Mandalay —the second largest city of Burma— and Meiktila —an important rail and roads junction. In northern Burma, the British 36th division gets through Japanese lines at Myitson after a brutal three-week battle.
February 23rd 1945, Germany.
The American Armies I and IX launch operation ‘Grenade’ and they head towards the Roer River. Supported by 1.000 guns, 4 divisions cross the river with low resistance. Most German troops had been sendt northwards, to stop operation ‘Veritage’.
February 23rd 1945, Iwo-Jima.
The marines conquer Mount Suribachi and head northwards to take the rest of the island.
February 25th 1945, Iwo-Jima.
USMC 3rd division gets into action.
February 28th 1945, Saudi Arabia.
The government of Mecca declares war on Germany, as did Syria days before, both to be able to join the new UN.
February 28th 1945, Germany.
American VIII Corps from the I Army starts its attack against the Rhine.
February 28th 1945, Philippines.
A regiment from the American 41st division conquers Palawan Island.