This is a timeline of the events that stretched over the period of late World War II, its conclusion and legal aftermath, from January 1945 to 1991.
January 1945
1: The Germans begin a surprise offensive (Operation Nordwind) in northern Alsace.: Unternehmen Bodenplatte (Operation Baseplate) is launched by the Luftwaffe against western Allied air bases in Belgium and Holland by elements of ten different Jagdgeschwadern (fighter wings), as its last major air offensive of the war in the West.: American troops kill dozens of German POWs at Chenogne
2: 46 American B-29 bombers based near Calcutta, India attacked a railroad bridge near Bangkok, Thailand and other targets in the area.: The Japanese increasingly use kamikaze tactics against the US naval forces nearby.
3: The Allies take the offensive east of the Bulge but they fail to close the pincers (which might have surrounded large numbers of Germans) with Patton's tanks.
4: US navy air attacks on Formosa (Taiwan)
5: The German offensive Nordwind crosses the border into Alsace.: Japanese retreat across the Irrawaddy River in Burma with General Slim's troops in pursuit.
6: American B-29s bomb Tokyo again.
7: Germans, as part of the plan to retake Strasbourg, break out of the "Colmar Pocket", a bridgehead on the Rhine, and head east.
8: The battle of Strasbourg is underway, with Americans in defence of their recent acquisition.
9: Americans land on Luzon. There are more kamikaze attacks on the American navy.
11: The first convoy moves on the Ledo Road (or "Stilwell" road) in northern Burma, linking India and China.
12: The East Prussian Offensive, a major Red Army offensive in East Prussia, begins on January 13th.
13: 1st Byelorussian Front launched its winter offensive towards Pillkallen, East Prussia, meeting heavy resistance from the German 3rd Panzer Army.
14: British forces clear the Roer Triangle during Operation Blackcock; it is an area noted for its industrial dams.
15: Hitler is now firmly ensconced in the Führerbunker in Berlin with his companion Eva Braun.: The British commander in Athens, General Ronald Scobie, accepts a request for a ceasefire from the Greek People's Liberation Army. This marks the end of the Dekemvriana, resulting in clear defeat for the Greek Left.
16: The U.S. First and Third Armies link up following the Battle of the Bulge.
17: Warsaw is entered by Red Army troops. A government favourable to the Communists is installed.: It is announced officially that the Battle of the Bulge is at an end.
19: Hitler orders that any retreats of divisions or larger units must be approved by him.
20: The Red Army advances into East Prussia. Germans renew the retreat.: Franklin D. Roosevelt is sworn in for a fourth term as U.S. President; Harry Truman is sworn in as Vice President.
23: German jurist and anti-Nazi activist Helmuth James von Moltke was hanged for treason in Berlin.
24: The Battle of Poznań began for the German-occupied stronghold city of Poznań in Poland.
25: The American navy bombards Iwo Jima in preparation for an invasion.: The Allies officially win the Battle of the Bulge.
27: Auschwitz concentration camp is entered by Soviet troops.
28: The Red Army completes the occupation of Lithuania.
30: The Malta Conference (1945) began with Winston Churchill meeting with the Combined Chiefs of Staff on the Island of Malta in the Mediterranean to plan the end of WWII in both Theaters, and to discuss the ramifications of the Soviets now controlling most of Eastern Europe. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would join the Conference for one day on 2 February 1945; both would fly to Yalta on 3 February for the Yalta Conference with Stalin.
31: The Red Army crosses the Oder River into Germany and are now less than 50 miles from Berlin.: A second invasion on Luzon by Americans lands on the west coast.: The whole Burma Road is now opened as the Ledo Road linkage with India is complete.
February 1945
1: Ecuador declares war on Germany and Japan.
2: Naval docks at Singapore are destroyed by B-29 attacks.
3: The Battle of Manila (1945) begins: Forces of the U.S. and Philippines enter Manila. The Manila massacre takes place during the fighting.: Heavy bombing of Berlin. Judge Roland Freisler is killed while trying to save court documents.
4: The Yalta Conference of Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin begins; the main subject of their discussions is postwar spheres of influence.: Belgium is now cleared of all German forces.
8: Paraguay declares war on Germany and Japan.