SprueStack Zero Hour: WW2 day by day

20 March 1945

What happened on this day in the Second World War, from 1939 to 1945, with a source for every entry.

About this page

Each day we list events from the Second World War that happened on that date, from 1939 to 1945. Every entry names its source and links to it, so you can read further. Entries are sourced and machine-screened before they go up, a subset is human-reviewed, and we add more over time.

6 of 8 sourced entries for this date, chosen by the editor.

Join us on Discord (opens external site)

Entries

Luzon

In U.S. Sixth Army’s I Corps area, 33d Div TF moves N toward San Fernando from the Bauang sector in attempt to link up with guerrilla forces of N Luzon. Japanese withdraw from San Fernando under cover of darkness.

Source US Army CMH chronology (opens external site)
S Philippines

In U.S. Eighth Army area, X Corps is designated as VICTOR V TF to seize Malabang-Parang-Cotabato area of Mindanao and clear region E of Zamboanga Peninsula. 24th and 31st Divs are placed under control of X Corps.

Source US Army CMH chronology (opens external site)
Western Europe

12th Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s VII Corps area, continuing N along the Rhine toward the Sieg, RCT 311, on 78th Div left, reaches Geislar; 309th Inf passes through 310th to continue right flank drive and advances rapidly.

Source US Army CMH chronology (opens external site)
Pacific Theater

THOR mission records show at least 316 Allied sorties (58 recorded unit missions) in the Pacific Theater on 1945-03-20, flown by USAAF 5th Air Force, USAAF 13th Air Force, RNZAF, USAAF 7th Air Force, USAAF 20th Air Force.

Source US Air Force THOR (opens external site)

THOR is a secondary compilation with known gaps, not a complete record.
China-Burma-India Theater

THOR mission records show at least 37 Allied sorties (7 recorded unit missions) in the China-Burma-India Theater on 1945-03-20, flown by USAAF 10th Air Force, USAAF 5th Air Force. Targets included BURMA, CHINA.

Source US Air Force THOR (opens external site)

THOR is a secondary compilation with known gaps, not a complete record.
Theater not recorded

THOR mission records show at least 177 Allied sorties (103 recorded unit missions) in the Theater not recorded on 1945-03-20, flown by RAF. Targets included UNKNOWN OR NOT INDICATED.

Source US Air Force THOR (opens external site)

THOR is a secondary compilation with known gaps, not a complete record.

The full list for this date is being cleaned and will return soon.

Sources listed with each entry. Spotted an error? Tell us.

20 March in other years 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944

Talk about it

Discuss each day's entries and suggest sources in the Zero Hour community.

Join us on Discord

20 March 1945

Entries

In U.S. Sixth Army’s I Corps area, 33d Div TF moves N toward San Fernando from the Bauang sector in attempt to link up with guerrilla forces of N Luzon. Japanese withdraw from San Fernando under cover of darkness.

In U.S. Eighth Army area, X Corps is designated as VICTOR V TF to seize Malabang-Parang-Cotabato area of Mindanao and clear region E of Zamboanga Peninsula. 24th and 31st Divs are placed under control of X Corps.

12th Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s VII Corps area, continuing N along the Rhine toward the Sieg, RCT 311, on 78th Div left, reaches Geislar; 309th Inf passes through 310th to continue right flank drive and advances rapidly.

THOR mission records show at least 316 Allied sorties (58 recorded unit missions) in the Pacific Theater on 1945-03-20, flown by USAAF 5th Air Force, USAAF 13th Air Force, RNZAF, USAAF 7th Air Force, USAAF 20th Air Force.

THOR mission records show at least 37 Allied sorties (7 recorded unit missions) in the China-Burma-India Theater on 1945-03-20, flown by USAAF 10th Air Force, USAAF 5th Air Force. Targets included BURMA, CHINA.

THOR mission records show at least 177 Allied sorties (103 recorded unit missions) in the Theater not recorded on 1945-03-20, flown by RAF. Targets included UNKNOWN OR NOT INDICATED.

Talk about it