Fred and Semmy Marcus arrive in Shanghai
After an exciting and comparatively luxurious 29-day passage, Fred and Semmy Marcus arrive at Shanghai pier and are transported to refugee housing.
US atomic bombs destroy Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The US drops an atomic bomb on Japan's manufacturing and port city Hiroshima on 6 August. The bomb obliterates the city, killing nearly 80,000 people, mostly civilians. On 9 August, the US drops another atomic bomb on Nagasaki, killing at least 40,000 people.
Soviet offensive breaks through German front in Belorussia
The Red Army destroys Nazi forces along the eastern front, liberating Belorussia and Ukraine and advancing westward into East Prussia. There are heavy losses on both sides, but the battle leaves German military command in the region in complete disarray.
Samuel Marcus dies in Shanghai
Semmy's health has been poor since early April, and he is admitted to the hospital on April 20th. Fred is himself struggling with pneumonia and his infection keeps him from visiting his father as he fights a severe fever for 8-10 days. When Fred’s fever subsides, he learns that his father passed away on May 1.
Germans launch anti-partisan Operation "Hermann"
Germans deploy 52,000 soldiers to root out partisan activity in the area north of Novogrudek, surrounding the forest. They destroy some 60 settlements, killing more than 4000 people and sending c. 20,000 to forced labor in Germany. Partisan groups in the area refer to the operation as "The Big Hunt." The Bielski detachment leaves its camp in the Naliboki forest and crosses a swamp to reach the remote island of Krasnaya Gorka.