World war II chronology - September 1945

1 September 1945

Bulgaria issues two postage stamps marking the victory of Allied Nations in Europe. Poland issues a postage stamp marking the 5th anniversary of the Polish army's last stand at Westerplatte, Danzig.

2 September 1945

Japan signs official surrender, accepted by General Douglas MacArthur on the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, off Yokohama. Allied nations participating in the ceremony are USA, China, Great Britain, Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, Netherlands, New Zealand. This is the first time in recorded history for Japan to host a successful military invasion from a foreign power. During World War II fighting, about 30-50 million people were killed, half civilian. This is 2-3 times the deaths of World War I. Total cost of the war to all countries: US$1.6 trillion, compared to US$300 billion for World War I. Total deaths in various countries: Soviet Union 20 million Poland 4.32 million Germany 4.2 million China 2.2 million Yugoslavia 1.7 million Japan 1.219 million France 600,000 Romania 460,000 Hungary 420,000 Italy 410,000 USA 406,000 Great Britain 388,000 Czechoslovakia 365,000 Austria 334,000 Netherlands 210,000 Greece 160,000 Belgium 88,000. During the war, the Royal Canadian Navy sunk 33 enemy submarines, with the loss of 22 ships. The Canadian merchant navy lost 30 ships and 1064 men. Japanese merchant shipping losses during the year: 1.56 million tons.