WarData.net       ~~~       World War Two Timeline Introduction   WarData.net   ~    World War Two Timeline Explanation   This table contains various events related to the World War Two of 1939-1945.   The dates are to the nearest day when possible. Those events dated to the nearest year are less certain, naturally, than those dated to the precise day. WarData.net   ~    World War Two Timeline Event Date Comments World War II November 11, 1918 - May 5, 1945 ***** Kellogg-Briand Pact August 27, 1928 A treaty between the United States and other nations "providing for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy," it never made any real contribution to international peace and, after Manchuria, quickly proved to be meaningless. Soviet Invasion of Manchuria 1929 Soviet forces invaded Manchuria in support of Soviet claims to the disputed Chinese Eastern Railway; they withdrew after Chinese acceptance of the Soviet position regarding the railway. Croatian Autonomy August 25, 1939 ***** Democratic Government Restored in Yugoslavia August 26, 1939 ***** French Appeal to Germany August 26, 1939 ***** British Warning to Germany August 28, 1939 ***** German Response to Britain August 29, 1939 ***** Partial Polish Mobilization August 30, 1939 ***** Supreme Soviet Ratification of the German Non-Aggression Pact August 31, 1939 ***** German 16-Point Proposal to Poland August 31, 1939 ***** Atlantic, Battle of the September 1, 1939 - May 5, 1945 Battle of the Atlantic is the name given to the conflicts in the Atlantic Ocean throughout World War II. Strictly speaking it should be referred to as the Atlantic Campaign. Poland, Invasion of September 1-27, 1939 Wehrmacht begins the invasion of Poland at 4:45am with three German Army Groups Warsaw, Battle of September 1 - 17, 1939 ***** Jews in Germany given strict curfew September 1, 1939 Jews in Germany are forbidden to be outdoors after 8 p.m. in winter and 9 p.m. in summer. Britain declares general mobilisation September 1, 1939 In Britain, general mobilisation declared. France declares general mobilisation September 1, 1939 Britain and France, instead of immediately declaring war against Germany look to Mussolini who had proposed an international conference to revise the Versailles treaty terms. In France, general mobilisation declared. Canadian mobilization begins September 1, 1939 ***** Construction of Stutthof concentration camp begins September 2, 1939 The Germans start construction of Stutthof concentration camp in which 65,000 Polish Christians will ultimately perish. Hitler makes Peace offer to Britain and France September 2, 1939 ***** National Service Act passed in Britain September 2, 1939 ***** Warsaw, Air raid on September 2, 1939 ***** Australia declares war on Germany September 3, 1939 The Australian Prime Minister, R.G. Menzies broadcasts that Australia is now at war with Germany. France declares war on Germany September 3, 1939 ***** Britain declares war on Germany September 3, 1939 ***** RAF's first operational sortie of the war September 3, 1939 An RAF Blenheim bomber of 139 Squadron flew over to check shipping in the Schillig Roads. With a frozen radio, it was unable to transmit any information back to base and by the time it landed it was too late to mount an attack that day. U-boat campaign begins September 3, 1939 The Kriegsmarine begins its campaign against British merchant shipping with 17 U-boats putting to sea out of a total of about 57 operational boats, far fewer than the 300 Dönitz had felt he needed for a successful war against Britain. Fifty-five Polish peasants are shot by the Nazis September 3, 1939 Fifty-five Polish peasants are rounded up and shot at Truskolasy by the Nazis. Fireside Chat on Neutrality September 3, 1939 ***** Wilhelmshaven, Cuxhaven and Schillig Roads, RAF attacks on September 4, 1939 The RAF attacks German shipping at Wilhelmshaven, Cuxhaven and Schillig Roads, with negligible results (7 out of 30 Wellington bombers are shot down by German fighters and Anti-Aircraft). Land connection between East Prussia and the Reich re-established September 4, 1939 ***** U-30 sinks British liner SS Athenia off Ireland September 4, 1939 The British liner SS Athenia (with several US citizens on board) is sunk by U-30 off Ireland. United States declares neutrality September 5, 1939 The United States declares its neutrality in this war. Saarbrücken, French Offensive towards September 5, 1939 French forces begin a limited offensive towards Saarbrücken. Polish Army withdraws behind the Vistula river September 5, 1939 Under the relentless pressure by the Wehrmacht, the Polish Army withdraws behind the Vistula river, but the German troops gain bridgeheads on the opposite bank. South African Rejection of Neutrality September 5, 1939 ***** Upper Silesia, Occupation of September 6, 1939 German troops advancing through Poland occupy the former German industrial area of Upper Silesia. South Africa declares war on Germany September 6, 1939 General Smuts wins cabinet battle in South Africa and declares war on Germany. French Army occupies the Saarland September 7, 1939 Nine divisions of the French Army penetrate into the Saarland, but their advance is very slow and no effort is made to attack the 'Westwall' itself. Krakow, surrender of September 7, 1939 ***** King George VI assents to National Registration Bill September 7, 1939 King George VI gives assent to National Registration Bill, providing government control over labour and introducing identity cards. Bedzin, War Crime at September 8, 1939 At Bedzin, 200 Jews are burned alive in a synagogue by the Germans who charge Poles with the crime, and then execute 30 of them in a public square. Australia passes the National Security Act September 8, 1939 Australia passes the National Security act. Earl Page steps down as Australia's Country Party Leader, to be replaced by Archie Cameron. Polish government leaves Warsaw for Lublin September 8, 1939 Polish defenders of the Westerplatte at Danzig surrender after a week of continuous bombardment. The Polish government leaves Warsaw for Lublin, while its forces surrounded at Radom face a hopeless situation. U.S. Declaration of a Limited National Emergency September 8, 1939 ***** Advance elements of the BEF arrive in France September 9, 1939 Advance elements of the BEF begin to arrive in France. Chamberlain’s Cabinet plans for a 3-year war September 9, 1939 ***** Lodz and Radom, Capture of September 9, 1939 The 4th Army (von Kluge) captures Lodz and Radom, as the 4th Panzer Division reaches the outskirts of Warsaw. Further penetrations in to the suburbs of Warsaw by the 4th Panzer Divisions are repulsed by the cities defenders. Kutno and Sandomir, Breakthrough at September 10, 1939 German troops achieve a breakthrough at Kutno and Sandomir and reach the Vistula. Canada declares war on Germany September 10, 1939 After a formal parliamentary debate, Canada declares war on Germany. Arrival of first British troops in France officially announced September 11, 1939 Arrival of first British troops in France officially announced. First Anglo-French Supreme War Council convenes September 12, 1939 First Anglo-French Supreme War Council convenes under Chamberlain and Daladier. Vistula Bend, Battle of September 12-19, 1939 ***** British establish convoy system for merchant shipping September 12, 1939 Convoys for merchant shipping are established to counter the U-boats. The Luftwaffe bombs Krzemieniec. Radom Pocket, Surrender of September 13, 1939 60,000 Polish troops who are trapped in the Radom pocket surrender. U-39, Sinking of September 14, 1939 ***** Gdynia, Capture of September 15, 1939 Gdynia is captured by German forces. A Polish breakout attempt from the Kutno pocket fails. Australia creates 20,000-strong defense force September 15, 1939 The Australian Government announces the creation of a 20,000 strong defense force. Convoy OB-4, Attack of U-31 on September 16, 1939 Convoy OB-4, sailing from Liverpool to North America, is attacked by U-31 (Johannes Habekost), becoming the first "clear" convoy contact in British waters of the war. U-31 sinks 1 ship, the 4,060-ton British freighter Aviemore. Lindbergh makes his first anti-intervention radio speech September 17, 1939 ***** HMS Courageous (Aircraft Carrier), Sinking of by U-29 September 17, 1939 The Aircraft Carrier HMS Courageous is torpedoed by U-29 (Kapitanleutnant Schuhart) south-west of Ireland, killing 515, but 687 sailors survive. Kutno and Brest-Litovsk, Capture of September 17, 1939 Kutno and Brest-Litovsk are captured by German troops. Soviet invasion of Poland September 17, 1939 The Red Army invades Poland from the East with a million troops on the pretext of protecting Poland's Byelorussian and Ukrainian population. The Polish government seeks asylum in Romania, where it is interned. Wehrmacht and Red Army stage a joint parade in Brest Litovsk September 18, 1939 The Wehrmacht and Red Army stage a joint parade in Brest Litovsk. First British casualty list published September 19, 1939 First British casualty list published. Wehrmacht takes 170,000 prisoners after the Battle of the Vistula Bend September 19, 1939 ***** Wehrmacht withdraws to German-Soviet treaty line September 20, 1939 ***** Zamosz and Tomaszov, Surrender of Polish Southern Army at September 21, 1939 60,000 Poles, all that remains of the Polish Southern Army surrender at Zamosz and Tomaszov. Heydrich issues instructions to SS Einsatzgruppen (special action squads) in Poland regarding treatment of Jews September 21, 1939 ***** Assassination of Romanian Premier Armand Calinescu September 21, 1939 ***** Request to End Arms Embargo September 21, 1939 ***** Lvov, Surrender at September 22, 1939 217,000 Polish troops who are fighting against the Red Army surrender at Lvov. Kodziowce, Battle of September 22, 1939 A Polish regiment repels attacks by forty Soviet tanks and infantry units at the Battle of Kodziowce. Soviet losses amount to hundreds killed and twenty tanks destroyed. Pan American Conference September 22-October 3, 1939 ***** German Jews are forbidden to own wireless (radio) sets September 23, 1939 German Jews are forbidden to own wireless (radio) sets. U-boats sink three UK-bound neutral merchant ships September 24, 1939 U-boats sink three UK-bound neutral merchant ships. Food rationing introduced in Germany on small scale September 24, 1939 Food rationing introduced in Germany on small scale. Warsaw, Luftwaffe bombing of September 24, 1939 1,150 German planes bomb Warsaw. German Special Task Force troops execute 800 Polish intellectuals and leaders in Bydgoszcz. Royal Sceptre (steamer), Sinking of by U-48 September 25, 1939 Churchill claims the U-boat menace has been overcome, but U-48 sinks the steamer Royal Sceptre and casts its crew adrift 300 miles from land. Heavy artillery duels flare on Western Front September 25, 1939 Heavy artillery duels flare on Western Front. Warsaw, Luftwaffe bombing of September 25, 1939 The Luftwaffe bomb Warsaw with 420 planes. Casualties in the city since the start of the war have now reached 40,000 dead. Polish Home Army formed in Warsaw September 26, 1939 Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa - AK) is formed in Warsaw. Graf Spee and Deutschland are given orders to attack allied shipping in the Atlantic September 27, 1939 ***** Warsaw, Surrender of September 27, 1939 Warsaw, besieged for more than two weeks, surrenders after continuous air and artillery bombardments. Sir John Simon’s first war budget September 27, 1939 Sir John Simon’s first war budget, income tax up to 7s 6d in the £. Polish government-in-exile set up in Paris September 27, 1939 ***** German and Soviet troops meet at Brest-Litovsk and together stage a military review September 28, 1939 ***** Poland formally surrenders September 29, 1939 ***** Russo-Estonian Military Agreement September 29, 1939 ***** Soviet-German Treaty of Friendship September 29, 1939 Nazis and Soviets divide up Poland. Over two million Jews reside in Nazi controlled areas, leaving 1.3 million in the Soviet area. Reinhard Heydrich becomes leader of Reich Main Security Office (RSHA) September 30, 1939 Reinhard Heydrich becomes the leader of new Reich Main Security Office (RSHA). Clement (steamship), Sinking of by Graf Spee September 30, 1939 Graf Spee sinks the British steamship Clement off Pernambuco, Brazil. Establishment of Polish Government-in-Exile September 30, 1939 ***** British men between 20 and 22 now liable for conscription October 1, 1939 British men between 20 and 22 now liable for conscription. Hel Peninsula, Surrender of Polish garrison on the October 1, 1939 German troops enter the devastated city of Warsaw. The Polish garrison on the Hel Peninsula surrenders to the Germans after repeated attacks. ***** October 1939 ***** ***** October 1, 1939 ***** Poles are imprisoned in Pawiak Prison in Warsaw October 2, 1939 The first Poles are imprisoned in Pawiak Prison in Warsaw. Some 100,000 people will undergo Nazi interrogations here, of whom 37,000 will be executed and 60,000 sent to concentration camps. Hitler enters Warsaw in triumph October 5, 1939 Hitler enters Warsaw in triumph. Soviet-Latvian Military Agreement October 5, 1939 ***** Soviet-Latvian Treaty on military bases October 5, 1939 The Soviet Union forces a treaty on Latvia that allows the Red Navy to establish bases in her Baltic harbors. Hitler calls upon Britain and France to cease hostilities October 6, 1939 Hitler in a speech to the Reichstag announces the victorious conclusion of the Polish campaign and calls upon Britain and France to cease hostilities and come to terms with Germany. This is rejected by both the British and French governments. Proclamation by Hitler on the isolation of Jews October 6, 1939 Proclamation by Hitler on the isolation of Jews. Kock and Lublin, Surrender of October 6, 1939 After a 2 day battle against Soviet tanks and planes and then a 5-day fight against the Germans, the last remaining Polish troops (17,000 men) surrender to German forces at Kock and Lublin. SS unit executes 20 Poles in the Jewish cemetery in Swiecie October 8, 1939 An SS unit executes 20 Poles in the Jewish cemetery in Swiecie. RAF reconnaissance plane shoots down a German flying boat over the North Sea October 8, 1939 RAF reconnaissance plane shoots down a German flying boat over the North Sea. Chamberlain announces committee of ministers to co-ordinate the economy October 9, 1939 Chamberlain announces committee of ministers to co-ordinate the economy. Hitler issues orders for the invasion of France and the Low Countries October 9, 1939 ***** Soviet-Lithuanian Treaty on military bases October 10, 1939 The Soviet Union signs an agreement with Lithuania that allows the Soviets to establish military bases in the country. Soviet-Lithuanian Mutual Assistance Pact October 10, 1939 ***** BEF on continent reaches strength of 158,000 October 11, 1939 British Expeditionary Force on continent reaches strength of 158,000 in five weeks. Atomic Bomb Proposal October 11, 1939 ***** Hans Frank appointed Nazi Gauleiter of Poland October 12, 1939 Hans Frank appointed Nazi Gauleiter (governor) of Poland. Evacuation of Jews from Vienna October 12, 1939 Evacuation of Jews from Vienna. HMAS Hobart and five RAN destroyers leave Australia, bound for Britain October 13, 1939 HMAS Hobart and five RAN destroyers leave Australia, bound for Britain. HMS Royal Oak, Sinking of by U-47 October 14, 1939 U-47 (Kapitanleutnant Prien) sinks HMS Royal Oak at anchor in Scapa Flow, U-47 then escapes undetected and returns home to Germany. The press in Germany declare Prien a hero. Heavy German attack on Western Front halted October 16, 1939 Heavy German attack on Western Front halted. Forth and Rosyth Bridges, Luftwaffe attacks on October 16, 1939 German bombers attack Forth and Rosyth bridges. First Luftwaffe aircraft shot down over Britain October 16, 1939 City of Glasgow Fighter Squadron (No 602) shot down the first enemy aircraft over Britain after an attack on the River Forth. Firth of Forth, Luftwaffe attack on October 16, 1939 A German air attack damages the British cruisers HMS Southampton, HMS Edinburgh and the destroyer HMS Mohawk in the Firth of Forth, in Scotland. French troops are pushed back in the Saar region October 17, 1939 French troops are pushed back in the Saar region. Russian-German prisoner exchange October 18, 1939 The Russians prepare to hand over 30,000 Polish soldiers and refugees to the Nazis who respond with their own prisoner exchange. First Jewish ghetto established October 18, 1939 The first Jewish ghetto is established in Lublin. Germany officially incorporates western Poland into the Reich October 19, 1939 Germany officially incorporates western Poland into the Reich. Anglo-French-Turkish Pact of Mutual Assistance October 19, 1939 ***** North Atlantic Convoys, Luftwaffe air campaign against October 21, 1939 The Luftwaffe starts attacks against North Atlantic convoys. Deportation of Poles begins October 21, 1939 The Germans start deporting Poles from Posen (Poznan), largest city of western Poland (250,000 people), in their attempt at establishing "pure and Germanic provinces" in Poland. Soviet-occupied Poland becomes "Western Byelorussia" and "Western Ukraine" October 22, 1939 ***** U-boats sink four more British ships October 25, 1939 U-boats sink four more British ships. Forced labor decree issued for Polish Jews aged 14 to 60 October 26, 1939 Forced labor decree issued for Polish Jews aged 14 to 60. Molotov accuses the British of aggression October 31, 1939 Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov boasts: "One swift blow to Poland, first by the German Army and then by the Red Army, and nothing was left of this ugly offspring of the Versailles Treaty!" He also accuses the British of aggression. First Polish women arrive at Ravensbruck concentration camp November 2, 1939 The first transport of Polish women arrives at Ravensbruck concentration camp. Neutrality Act of 1939 November 3, 1939 ***** Neutrality Act is signed November 4, 1939 Although President Roosevelt has declared American neutrality in the war in Europe, a Neutrality Act is signed that allows the US to send arms and other aid to Britain and France. Gestapo rounds up 183 professors of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow November 6, 1939 ***** First big air battle on Western Front November 6, 1939 First big air battle on Western Front. Belgian and Dutch monarchs offer to act as peace negotiators November 7, 1939 The Belgian and Dutch monarchs emphasize their country's neutrality, but offer to act as peace negotiators. Hitler rejects the proposal, as do both Britain and France. Assassination attempt on Hitler November 8, 1939 A bomb intended to kill Hitler explodes at the annual meeting of the veterans of the 1923 Nazi Putsch in Munich, but the Führer had already left the beer cellar. Shetland Islands, Air Raid on November 13, 1939 The first bombs dropped on British soil in the Second World War fell on the Shetland Islands. Two German supply ships are scuttled when cornered by the Royal Navy November 13, 1939 Two German supply ships are scuttled when cornered by the Royal Navy. Africa Shell (merchantman), Sinking of by Graf Spee November 15, 1939 The Graf Spee sinks the merchantman Africa Shell off Mozambique. Supreme Allied War Council agrees on the co-ordination of British and French war production November 17, 1939 It is also decided that if the Germans should invade Belgium, then both British and French troops will move forward in to Belgium to defend the Albert Canal, River Meuse and the River Dyle, which were strong positions from which to meet any German attack. Simon Bolivar, Sinking of by 'un-notified' mine November 18, 1939 The Dutch ship Simon Bolivar hits an 'un-notified' mine in the North Sea, killing 80. Several other neutral ships also sunk by mines. Scharnhorst and Gneisenau set off to harry British sea routes in the North Atlantic November 21-7, 1939 ***** Expansion of British Blockade of Germany November 21, 1939 ***** German aircraft drop parachute mines in to the Thames Estuary November 22, 1939 German aircraft parachute mines in to the Thames Estuary. Rawalpindi (merchant cruiser), Sinking of by Scharnhorst and Gneisenau November 23, 1939 The Scharnhorst and Gneisenau intercept a convoy escorted by the merchant cruiser Rawalpindi. Scharnhorst sinks the Rawalpindi, which sacrificed itself so the convoy could escape. The British Home Fleet attempts in vain to engage the two ships. Yellow stars required for Polish Jews November 23, 1939 Yellow stars required to be worn by Polish Jews over age 10. RAF shoots down seven German aircraft over France November 23, 1939 RAF shoots down seven German aircraft over France. Germany warns all neutral shipping to stay clear of British and French coasts November 24, 1939 ***** Scharnhorst and Gneisenau put in to Wilhelmshaven after their successful sortie in the North Atlantic November 27, 1939 The Scharnhorst and Gneisenau put in to Wilhelmshaven after their successful sortie in the North Atlantic. Australia and Britain establish the Empire Air Training Scheme November 27, 1939 Australia and Britain establish the Empire Air Training Scheme. Australian Cabinet agrees to the sending of Australian troops overseas November 28, 1939 The Australian Cabinet agrees to the sending of Australian troops overseas. Soviet Denunciation of the Non-Aggression Pact with Finland November 28, 1939 ***** Soviets force Soviet citizenship on all residents of Polish territory under their control November 29, 1939 The USSR forces Soviet citizenship on all residents of Polish territory under their control. Minefield laid from Thames Estuary to the Netherlands November 30, 1939 The Admiralty announces the completion of a 300 square mile minefield from Thames Estuary to the Netherlands. British Warning to Neutral Shipping December 1, 1939 ***** German liner Watussi is scuttled 1939 The German liner Watussi is scuttled after her interception by South African Defence Force bombers. Heligoland Bight, Air Raid on 1939 The RAF scores a number of direct hits on German warships at the Heligoland Bight naval base. Doric Star, Sinking of 1939 The German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee sinks the liner Doric Star off the western coast of South Africa. Two Polish submarines escape from the Baltic Sea to join Royal Navy 1939 ***** Germany warns neutral ships to resist the British blockade 1939 ***** Italy reaffirms her neutrality December 7, 1939 Italy reaffirms her neutrality. U.S. Protest of British Cargo Seizure December 8, 1939 ***** One Hundred-Sixth League Council Session December 9, 1939 ***** Ríver Plate, Battle of December 12, 1939 Admiral Graf Spee, fights an action against three British cruisers, HMS Achilles, HMS Ajax and HMS Exeter Two German cruisers are damaged by torpedoes from the British submarine HMS Salmon 1939 ***** One Hundred-Seventh League Council Session (Final session of the Council) December 14, 1939 ***** U.S. Challenge to the British Blockade December 14, 1939 ***** Fifth British division arrives in France 1939 A fifth British division arrives in France. Uruguayan government gives the Graf Spee 36 hours to leave harbour 1939 ***** Graf Spee scuttled in Montivideo harbor 1939 ***** Deportation of Poles to the USSR begins December 18, 1939 Lavrenti Beria, head of the NKVD, orders the start of large-scale deportation of Poles to the USSR. First Canadian troops arrive in Britain 1939 ***** Schillig Roads, Air Raid on 1939 ***** Captain Langsdorff of Admiral Graf Spee commits suicide 1939 ***** Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas appeal for peace. 1939 ***** British Admiralty announces the completion of a minefield, 500 miles long and 35 wide, down the east coast 1939 ***** First squadron of Australian airmen arrives in Britain 1939 ***** Operations in World War II 1940 ***** Hore-Belisha resigns as Secretary of State for War and is replaced by Oliver Stanley 1940 ***** Rationing of sugar, bacon and butter introduced January 8, 1940 Rationing of sugar, bacon and butter introduced. German bombers sink three merchantmen in North Sea 1940 ***** Hitler orders attack in the west to begin January 17, 1941 1940 ***** At the height of the cold weather spell in Europe, 50° of frost is reported in some places 1940 ***** British submarines Seahorse, Undine and Starfish reported sunk after penetrating Heligoland Bight 1940 ***** Hitler orders the postponement of his attack in the west until the Spring 1940 ***** Admiralty announces sinking of Grenville 1940 Admiralty announce sinking of Grenville; 8 dead, 73 missing, presumed dead. Destroyer Exmouth torpedoed off Wick, Scotland by U-22** all hands killed 1940 ***** Nazis choose the town of Oswiecim (Auschwitz) in Poland near Krakow as site of new concentration camp. 1940 ***** Hitler personally takes over planning for the invasion of Norway, 'Plan Weser' 1940 ***** Sir John Simon announces food subsidies are running at £1,000,000 per week. 1940 ***** British and French governments agree to land an expeditionary force in northern Norway 1940 British and French governments agree to land an expeditionary force in northern Norway without regard for Norway's neutrality in order to aide Finland, although in eventuality was never carried out. First deportation of German Jews into occupied Poland February 12, 1940 ***** Germany and Russia agree new trade pact, that provides for the delivery of vital war materials (grains, oil, strategic minerals) by the Russians, in return for German manufactured goods. February 12, 1940 ***** HMS Cossack (destroyer) enters a Norwegian fjord and captures German freighter Altmark February 16, 1940 ***** Norway protests to Britain over violation of neutrality. February 17, 1940 ***** Destroyer HMS Daring torpedoed, 157 are killed. February 19, 1940 ***** General von Falkenhorst is appointed to command the German invasion of Norway. February 20, 1940 ***** Two IRA bombs explode in London, injuring 12 people February 22, 1940 ***** Kriegsmarine destroyer Z3 ‘Max Schultz’, hits a mine and sinks whilst trying to evade an air attack in the North Sea February 22, 1940 ***** Crews of Exeter and Ajax cheered through London after return from South America February 23, 1940 ***** US Under Secretary of State, Sumner Welles, arrives in Berlin March 1, 1940 The US Under Secretary of State, Sumner Welles, arrives in Berlin at the start of a peace tour of the belligerent countries. British India liner Domala bombed March 2, 1940 British India liner Domala bombed in English Channel, killing 100 people. Italy protests to Britain over proposed ban on Italian imports of German coal March 3, 1940 Italy protests to Britain over proposed ban on Italian imports of German coal. Italian collier ship seized by Allies March 5, 1940 Italians begin big offensive in Albania. Hitler changes his plans for the invasion of the west March 6, 1940 ***** Italian-Anglo trade agreement on coal March 9, 1940 Italian-Anglo agreement on coal, Britain to release Italian collier ships, Italy to import no more German coal. Coal strike begins in New South Wales March 11, 1940 A coal strike begins in New South Wales. Scapa Flow, Air Raid on March 16, 1940 The Luftwaffe attacks the British Fleets anchorage at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands. This raid causes the death of a British civilian, the first of the war. Mussolini and Hitler meet in the Brenner Pass March 16, 1940 Mussolini and Hitler meet in the Brenner Pass in northern Italy, Mussolini agreeing to Italy's entry into the war "at an opportune moment". Russia assures Sweden of its safety after Finland's surrender March 18, 1940 ***** RAF retaliates against the Luftwaffe’s bombing of Scapa Flow, by attacking the German seaplane base at Hornum on the island of Sylt with 50 bombers. Later photo reconnaissance reveals little damage to the target. March 19, 1940 ***** Paul Reynaud becomes Prime Minister of France, with Edouard Daladier being made Minister of Defence and War. March 21, 1940 ***** U-boats sink seven neutral ships March 22, 1940 ***** British and French decide to start mining neutral Norwegian waters from the 8th April 1940 March 28, 1940 ***** Dutch fighters shoots down a British bomber near Rotterdam by mistake, killing one flier. March 28, 1940 ***** Germans again attack Scapa Flow and North Sea convoys ***** ***** Hitler orders the invasions of Denmark and Norway to begin April 9, 1940 ***** ***** War Cabinet reshuffle, Churchill to chair committee directing general war policy April 3, 1940 ***** Katyn Massacre April 3 to May 19, 1940 ***** Wilhelmshaven, Air Raid on April 5, 1940 ***** British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, tells the British people that Hitler has ‘missed the bus’ April 5, 1940 ***** Norway and Sweden are both informed of the allied intention to mine Norwegian waters. April 5, 1940 ***** RAF spots units of the Kriegsmarine steaming North towards Narvik and Trondheim loaded with troops and equipment. April 7, 1940 ***** British submarines torpedo three German ships ***** ***** H.M.S. Glowworm (destroyer) sunk by German cruiser Hipper April 8, 1940 ***** Kriegsmarine loses the cruisers Blücher, which is sunk by Norwegian coastal batteries, plus Königsberg and Karlsruhe to British naval and air attack. ***** ***** Norway, German invasion of April 9, 1940 ***** German troops invade Denmark and Norway simultaneously April 9, 1940 ***** North Sea, Battle of April 9, 1940 The undergunned German battleships Gneisenau and Scharnhorst engaged the old British battlecruiser Renown in an indecisive action off Norway. Denmark surrenders to the Germans April 10, 1940 ***** Narvik, First Battle of ***** ***** Flanders, Battle of April 10 - June 6, 1940 ***** RAF raid Stavanger airfield on Norway’s west coast ***** ***** Royal Navy submarine Spearfish puts pocket battleship Lutzow out of action for a year ***** ***** First British troops set sail for Norway, although they have been mistakenly embarked without much of their heavy equipment ***** ***** Norway announces German control of Kristiansand, Stavanger, Bergen and Trondheim in the south, Narvik in the north ***** ***** Norway, British counter-invasion of April 13 - June 9, 1940 ***** Narvik, Second Battle of ***** ***** German Minesweeper M6 sinks Royal Navy submarine Tarpon. ***** ***** British unemployment falls to 973,000, lowest figure since 1920 ***** ***** British troops land at Harstad in the Lofoten Islands, opposite Narvik. Quisling government resigns in Oslo and a 'Administrative Council’ takes control. ***** ***** British and French troops make landings at Namsos. Further British troops are landed in the Faeroe Islands ***** ***** Royal Navy bombards Stavanger ***** ***** Germans advance further north of Oslo ***** ***** British submarine Starlet sunk off Norway ***** ***** State of Siege is extended to the whole of Netherlands ***** ***** Danish Army is demobilised ***** ***** Inter-Allied Supreme War Council meets in Paris at which both Poland and Norway are represented ***** ***** Budget Day raises taxes on beer by 1d, whisky up 1/9d (9p) and postage up 1d ***** ***** Commons approves trade agreement with Spain, first since Spanish Civil War ***** Commons approves trade agreement with Spain, first since Spanish Civil War. French reinforcements arrive at Aandalesnes. British troops forced to withdraw north of Trondheim after sharp fighting. Norwegian troops attack the Germans south of Narvik, but are beaten back. ***** ***** New evacuation scheme introduced in Britain as a Ministry of Health survey shows that only 8% of eligible children have been registered** 19% of parents refused to do so** 73% did not bother to reply. ***** ***** Allied forces withdraw from Lillehammer in central Norway ***** ***** British stun the French and Norwegians by deciding to evacuate southern Norway ***** ***** Himmler signs the order that initiates construction of Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland ***** ***** Allied reinforcements arrive in Aandalesnes, Norway ***** ***** King Haakon VII and his government are evacuated from Molde ***** ***** Lodz Ghetto in occupied Poland is sealed off from the outside world with 230,000 Jews locked inside ***** ***** RAF attacks Oslo airfield ***** ***** Free French Destroyer "Maillr Breze" explodes and sinks off Greenock April 30, 1940 Free French Destroyer "Maillr Breze" explodes and sinks off Greenock. Germans announce they have established communication between Trondheim and Oslo ***** ***** Norwegians surrender in Lillehammer. ***** ***** Amalgamated Engineering Union agrees to allow women workers in munitions factories ***** ***** Rudolf Höss is chosen to be kommandant of Auschwitz ***** ***** German mine-carrying bomber crashes on Clacton, Essex ***** ***** Germans troops reach Aandalesnes. Allied forces are evacuated from Namsos. Chamberlain announces British forces are to withdraw from southern Norway. ***** ***** Allies troops remain only in northern Norway in order to stop the supply of iron ore to Germany. ***** ***** Hitler postpones X-Day to the 6th May due to bad weather. ***** ***** Destroyer Afridi sunk by German bombers off Norway. ***** ***** Norwegian government-in-exile established in London. ***** ***** Germans advance north to Trondheim. ***** ***** Hitler again delays X-Day, this time till the 10th May. ***** ***** All Dutch Army leave suspended. ***** ***** Opposition censure motion against Chamberlain’s conduct of the war ***** Opposition censure motion against Chamberlain’s conduct of the war; rejected by 281 to 200, but over 30 government MPs vote for it. U-9 sinks French submarine Doris off the Dutch coast ***** ***** Hitler orders 'Operation Yellow', the great offensive in the West, to begin at 5.35am the next day. ***** ***** Age for conscription in Britain is raised to 36 ***** ***** France, Battle of May 10, 1940 Adolf Hitler launches his Western Offensive and invades France Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain resigns and is replaced by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, who forms a coalition government from all three main parties. ***** ***** Wehrmacht begins 'Operation Yellow', the invasion of Holland ***** ***** President Roosevelt expresses his dismay to King Leopold of Belgium about the German invasion. ***** ***** King signs proclamation canceling the Whitsun holiday. ***** ***** Allied troops land in Dutch West Indies. ***** ***** German troops occupy the Duchy of Luxembourg. A glider-borne parachute detachment of 1st Fallschirmjäger Regiment led by Hauptmann Koch and Leutnant Witzig captures the "impregnable" Belgian border fortress of Eben-Emael. ***** ***** French forces withdraw behind the Meuse river between Dinant and Sedan ***** ***** German Panzer Korps of Heeresgruppe B, supported by waves of Luftwaffe Stuka dive-bombers, establish bridgeheads across the Meuse river ***** ***** Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth gives support to Churchill’s government by 2,413,000 votes to 170,000. Churchill makes ‘blood, sweat, tears and toil’ speech. Queen Wilhelmina and the Dutch royal family arrive in London. ***** ***** Germans take Rotterdam as the Dutch government arrives in London. ***** ***** Admiralty order requires all owners of large boats to send in particulars within two weeks ***** Admiralty order requires all owners of large boats to send in particulars within two weeks. Luftwaffe (60 He-111 bombers) devastates Rotterdam ***** ***** British Secretary of State for War, Anthony Eden, calls for volunteers to form the Local Defence Volunteers force (LDV) ***** ***** An official announcement by the British government says that the weekly butter ration will be reduced from 8oz to 4oz per head. ***** ***** RAF Bomber Command (Peirse) begins a strategic air offensive against targets inside Germany by attacking industrial installations in the Ruhr, but with minimal effect. ***** ***** After the fall of Rotterdam, Holland surrenders ***** ***** Germans try to enlarge Sedan pocket. British troops withdraw from Louvain, west of Brussels as troops of the German 6th Army break through the Allied Dyle line in Belgium. Belgian government leaves Brussels for Ostend. ***** ***** Brussels, Louvain and Malines in central Belgium all occupied by troops of the 6th Army ***** ***** RAF biggest attack on Germany to date as the oil tanks at Bremen and Hamburg are blown up. British claim 1,000 German aircraft lost in a single week. ***** ***** Germans take Antwerp ***** ***** General Gamelin is replaced by Maxime Weygand as Chief of the French General Staff and C-in-C of all theatres of operations ***** ***** German 19th Panzer Korps (Guderian) completes its advance to the Channel coast by capturing Abbeville and Noyelles ***** ***** First gathering of small craft for Dunkirk. ***** ***** Luftwaffe bomb Channel ports and the RAF attack Rotterdam's refineries. ***** ***** Arra, British counter-attack at ***** ***** German troops at Narvik are now close to exhaustion and will be unable to hold out for very much longer ***** ***** Announcement that over 250,000 men enrolled into the LDV in just the first 24 hours ***** It is announced that over 250,000 men enrolled into the LDV in just the first 24 hours. British cipher experts at Bletchley Park break the Luftwaffe Enigma code. ***** ***** German 19th Panzer Korps (Guderian) strikes from Abbeville toward Boulogne, Calais and Dunkirk along the Channel coast. ***** ***** Dunkirk, Hitler halts German Army around May 23, 1940 ***** Heavy fighting around Boulogne. Units of the German 6th Army cross the Scheldt river at Oudenarde in Belgium. ***** ***** Sir Oswald Mosley and other British fascists arrested. 76 IRA men arrested in Northern Ireland. ***** ***** Luftwaffe sink destroyer Wessex off Calais. ***** ***** Hitler halts Panzer drive on Dunkirk ***** ***** First British civilian bomb casualties are reported ***** ***** Trade Union executives accept Nye Bevan’s manpower mobilisation plan, setting up Labour Supply Board and Production Council. ***** ***** British garrison of Calais rejects a German call for surrender. 15 French generals relieved of their commands. ***** ***** Dunkirk, Battle of May 25 - June 3, 1940 ***** Evacuation of British, French and Belgian troops from Dunkirk begins ***** ***** General Sir John Dill is appointed Chief of the Imperial General Staff ***** ***** British sugar ration is reduced from 12oz to 8oz per head. ***** ***** British position in Flander’s worsens as King Leopold of Belgium surrenders the remnants of his Army. ***** ***** Japanese Premier Admiral Yonai forms ‘Inner Cabinet’ with ministers for Foreign Affairs, War and the Navy. ***** ***** Belgium formally surrenders to the Germans. The British and French reject capitulation and continue the evacuation and rearguard actions at Dunkirk. ***** ***** French mountain troops capture the port of Narvik, forcing the German defenders (Gebirgsjäger units and crews of sunk destroyers) into the surrounding hills and towards the safety of the Swedish border and internment. ***** ***** HMS Wakeful is hit and sunk by a torpedo from the German E-boat S30; HMS Comfort is sunk by friendly fire from HMS Grafton ***** ***** German 6th Army takes Lille, Ostend and Ypres in western Flander’s. Luftwaffe activity increases as orders the Panzers to be switched south ready for main battle of France. 47,300 British and French troops are evacuated from Dunkirk today. ***** ***** Fifty-four thousand (53,823) British and French troops are evacuated from Dunkirk ***** Fifty-three thousand eight hundred and twenty-three (53,823) British and French troops are evacuated from Dunkirk, bringing total landed in England since May 27th to 126,606. Roosevelt asks Congress for considerable funds to strengthen the US Armed forces. ***** ***** Mussolini tells Hitler he intends to enter the war. ***** ***** Defence of Dunkirk continues as 68,000 allied troops are evacuated. The French defence of Lille collapses. Churchill fly's to Paris for a meeting of the Supreme Allied War Council, the second time since the 10th May. ***** ***** Luftwaffe attacks sink two French destroyers off the beaches at Dunkirk. ***** ***** Luftwaffe raids industrial centres in the Rhone Valley from Lyons to Marseilles. ***** ***** British forces evacuate the Bodo area of Norway, 120 miles to the southwest of Narvik. ***** ***** German onslaught continues at Dunkirk ***** ***** HMS Keith, Basilisk and Havant (destroyers) and the transport Scotia are sunk by Luftwaffe dive bombers near Dunkirk ***** ***** All signposts which might be helpful to parachutists landing in Britain taken down. Unemployment in Britain falls 92,000 in May to 881,000, giving a total fall of 611,000 in a year. ***** ***** Twenty-six thousand British and French troops are evacuated from Dunkirk in one day ***** 26,200 British and French troops are evacuated from the beaches today. Virtually all British soldiers have now been evacuated and so the remaining French troops have taken over the defence of the perimeter. Last night of the Dunkirk evacuation sees 26,700 French soldiers lifted from the beaches ***** ***** Luftwaffe with 300 planes bombs Paris inflicting around 900 casualties ***** ***** All aliens and stateless persons living in Britain are forbidden to leave home between 10:30pm and 6am. Churchill orders the setting up of commando forces to be used for raiding occupied Europe. ***** ***** British and French forces start to evacuate from Narvik in northern Norway. ***** ***** Admiralty announces the results of Dunkirk operation: 226 vessels sunk altogether ***** Admiralty announce the loss of six destroyers, 24 small warships and participation of 222 British naval vessels and 665 other craft in Dunkirk operation. 226 vessels are sunk altogether. Churchill gives his We shall never surrender' speech ***** ***** French planes attack Munich and Frankfurt as reprisals for Paris bombing. ***** ***** German troops enter Dunkirk, taking 40,000 French prisoners and huge quantities of abandoned equipment, including 84,000 vehicles, 2,500 guns and 650,000 tons of supplies and ammunition. ***** ***** Germans begin 'Operation Red', the ‘Battle of France’ ***** ***** Home Defence commander Ironside announces the creation of the ‘lronsides’, small groups of highly mobile, armed men for defence against parachutists. ***** ***** Hauptmann Mölders, leader of III/JG 53 and Germany's top air ace (25 kills) is shot down near Compiegne and taken prisoner. ***** ***** U-46 sinks the British armed merchant cruiser Carinthia off the west coast of Ireland ***** ***** Production of hundreds of household goods banned in Britain. All Germans and Austrians living in UK ordered to surrender their wireless sets. ***** ***** German tanks in groups of 200-300, break through French line in two places on Somme front ***** ***** Air raids along many parts of East Coast of England ***** ***** Allied troops fall back on Bresles front, 60 miles north of Paris. ***** ***** French bomb Berlin ***** ***** King Haakon VII and the Norwegian government leave Tromsö for England. ***** ***** Evacuation of British and French troops (24,000 men) from Narvik and Harstad is completed. A Norwegian delegation negotiates with the Germans for a peace treaty. ***** ***** HMS Glorious (aircraft carrier) is sunk by the German heavy battle cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau southwest of Narvik ***** ***** German forces advancing South from the Somme capture Rouen on the Seine. The British 51st Highland Division and part of the French 10th Army withdraw towards St-Valery-en-Caux, hoping to be evacuated to England. ***** ***** President Roosevelt announces a shift from neutrality to "non-belligerency," while condemning Germany and Italy and promising material aid to both Britain and France. ***** ***** Norwegian Army remnants (6th Division) surrender, after Norway surrenders unconditionally ***** ***** Italy Declares War on Britain and France June 10, 1940 Italy declares war on Britain and France, effective June 11, 1940. Australia and New Zealand declare war on Italy. ***** ***** RAF attack German ships in Trondheim harbour, Norway. ***** ***** Malta, Italian Bombing Raid on June 11, 1940 Italian aircraft bomb Malta. Paris prepares for siege as the Luftwaffe pounds the city. The RAF attacks Turin and Genoa with 36 Whitley bombers. ***** ***** Householders in possession of Anderson shelters must by law have them up and earthed by today. ***** ***** French government of Premier Reynaud leaves Paris for Tours. German forces capture Rheims ***** ***** Soviet Union issues an ultimatum to Lithuania, demanding that the Red Army be allowed to occupy the country. ***** ***** General Sir Edmond Ironside, C-in-C of British Home Forces, completes plans for the defense of Britain against German invasion. ***** ***** French forces opposing the advance of Army Group A withdraw to the South ***** ***** HMS Calypso sunk by submarine attack ***** Italian submarine Bagnolini sinks British cruiser Calypso south of Crete. Armed merchant-cruiser Scotstown is torpedoed by U-25 off Ireland, 6 crew lost. The first US arms ship, 'Eastern Prince', sets sail for Britain. The German raider Orion lays mines off Auckland, New Zealand. ***** ***** HMS Odin (submarine) is sunk by the Italian destroyer Strale in Gulf of Taranto ***** ***** Germans troops advance on both sides of Paris. General Weygand declares the French capital an ‘open city’. ***** ***** German raider Orion lays mines off Auckland, New Zealand. ***** ***** Toulon, Italian Bombing Raid on June 13, 1940 Italian bombers attack the French naval base at Toulon. First contingent of Australian and New Zealand troops arrive June 14, 1940 Queen Mary, Aquitania, Empress of Canada, and Empress of Britain arrive in the River Clyde with the first contingent of Australian and New Zealand troops. Germans enter Paris as Rommel's 7th Panzer Division takes Le Havre ***** ***** Germans open Auschwitz concentration camp, officially to provide 100,000 labour force for I.G Farben factory. ***** ***** Communist Party of Australia is declared illega ***** The Communist Party of Australia is declared as illegal. Germans take Verdun. German forces of the 7th Army cross Rhine and break into the Maginot Line above Strasbourg. Weygand refuses to surrender French Army on its own. 30,600 British and Canadian troops are evacuated from Cherbourg, Brest and St. Malo. ***** ***** Roosevelt assures Reynaud that US aid will be redoubled. ***** ***** New Russo-German frontier agreement announced. The Red Army advances across the Lithuanian border. ***** ***** U-101 sinks the British merchant ship Wellington Star in the Bay of Biscay. ***** ***** French front cracking as the Germans break through in Champagne to Dijon ***** ***** HMS Grampus (submarine) is sunk by four Italian torpedo boats off Syracuse, Sicily ***** ***** Russian Army occupies Latvia. Tens of thousands of "hostile' natives and their families are rounded up and deported to NKVD prison camps around the Soviet Union. Estonia is also occupied by the Soviet Union. ***** ***** Churchill broadcasts to the nation, saying the British will defend their island home and fight on until the curse of Hitler is removed. Unemployment in Britain falls 114,000 in May to new low of 767,000. ***** ***** German troops cross the Loire near Orleans. Petain orders French to stop fighting and sues for ‘honourable’ peace terms. ***** ***** Liner Lancastria, with 3,000 British troops aboard, bombed and sunk at St. Nazaire, in North West France. ***** ***** German planes raid Thames Estuary and East Coast ***** ***** Churchill speaks to Commons ***** ***** French Army in general retreat as German troops capture Le Mans and Cherbourg. The garrisons of Belfort, Metz and Dijon surrender. Hitler and Mussolini meet in Munich to discuss French request for peace. ***** ***** Germans invite the French to send a representative to discuss armistice terms as their troops reach River Loire, advance on Lyons, capture Strasbourg, Brest and Tours. Rommel takes Cherbourg. ***** ***** French ships seek refuge in British ports. ***** ***** More than 100 German bombers make raids over Britain ***** ***** British Jockey Club announces no more racing until further notice. ‘If invaders come’ leaflet is issued by Ministry of Information to all British households. ***** ***** German troops capture Lyons and the vital port of Brest in Brittany. French envoys drive behind German lines to receive armistice terms. Italian forces begins an offensive along the Riviera coast into France. ***** ***** German heavy cruiser Gneisenau is damaged by a torpedo from the British submarine Clyde ***** ***** RAF bombs Rouen airfield ***** ***** Both Houses of Parliament meet in secret session to discuss Home Defence. ***** ***** Franco-German armistice negotiations begin at Compiegne ***** ***** French representatives fly to Rome to negotiate with Mussolini. ***** ***** Germans troops cross the River Loire in strength as an armistice between France and Germany is signed at Compiegne ***** ***** Second London County Council evacuation scheme completed, with 100,000 children moved to the West Country and Wales. ***** ***** German advance continues down west coast of France ***** ***** China protests to France over closure of Indo-Chinese border; Japanese request closure of Burma Road controlled by Britain and used to supply Chinese forces. ***** ***** British commandos make their first raid against France is made at Le Touquet, although this is aborted without casualties. ***** ***** An armistice is signed between France and Italy at Villa Indusa near Rome. ***** ***** First early morning air-raid alarm is heard in London ***** ***** At 1:35am, all acts of war between the French and German armed forces officially cease. Churchill says France is not freed of her obligations. ***** ***** De Gaulle forms French Volunteer Legion in Britain. ***** ***** British blockade of war materials and food extended to whole of France. ***** ***** Japanese troops occupy part of the Hong Kong peninsula. ***** ***** All French ships in British ports are seized by the Royal Navy. ***** ***** German troops reach Franco-Spanish border. ***** ***** German aircraft bomb Jersey ***** ***** Following an ultimatum to the Romanian government, the Red Army occupies Bessarabia and the northern part of Bukovina. ***** ***** Pope offers to mediate between Britain, Germany and Italy. ***** ***** Alien Registration Act (the Smith Act) passed by the US Congress requires aliens to register and be fingerprinted. The Act makes it illegal to advocate the overthrow of the US government. ***** ***** British government recognises de Gaulle as leader of ‘Free French’. Channel Islands demilitarised and partially evacuated. ***** ***** Germans troops land on Guernsey in the Channel Islands. ***** ***** Governor General of Hong Kong orders evacuation of women and children to the Philippines as Japanese blockade colony. ***** ***** Germany asks the USA and other neutrals to withdraw its diplomatic missions from Norway. ***** ***** In the first 6 months of the year, German U-boats have sunk 900,000 tons of Allied shipping. ***** ***** French government of Marshal Petain moves from Bordeaux to Vichy. Germany asks the USA and other neutrals to withdraw diplomatic missions from Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. ***** ***** German troops occupy Jersey and complete the capture of the Channel Islands, the only British territory ever captured by Germany during World War 2. British milk price maximum is raised to 4d a pint. ***** ***** ***** July 1940 ***** August Bank holiday cancelled in Britain. ***** ***** British liner Arandora Star, carrying 1,500 German and Italian prisoners of war to Canada, is sunk by U-47 off the west coast of Ireland, with many casualties. ***** ***** Hitler orders preparation of 'Operation Sealion', the plan for the invasion of Britain. Germans issue casualty figures for French campaign as 17,000 killed, with the French losing 1,900,000 as prisoners. ***** ***** Fifty-nine French warships are seized by the Royal Navy ***** ***** Heavy units of the British Navy, code named Force H (Somerville), launch an attack (Operation Catapult) on the French fleet stationed at Mers-el-Kebir ***** ***** Oran, Battle of July 3, 1940 ***** Mers-el-Kebir, Battle of July 3, 1940 Royal Navy destroys most of the French Navy at anchor in the harbor of Mers-el-Kebir. German Stukas and MTBs attack a British convoy South of Portland, sinking 5 merchant ships. ***** ***** In the House of Commons, prime minister Churchill declares,' I leave the judgment of our actions with confidence to Parliament. I leave it to the nation and I leave it to the United States. I leave it to the world and to history.' ***** ***** Malta, Italian Bombing Raid on July 4, 1940 ***** In direct response to the devastating British attack on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kebir, the Vichy French government of Marshal Petain breaks off diplomatic relations with Britain. ***** ***** Convoy carrying gold bullion worth 1,800 million pounds sails from the River Clyde July 5, 1940 A convoy carrying gold bullion worth 1,800 million pounds sails from the River Clyde. In retaliation for the British action at Mers-el-Kebir, Vichy French warships based at Dakar capture 3 British merchant ships, while French aircraft stationed in Morocco attack British shipping off Gibraltar. ***** ***** RAF carries out night raids on Kiel and Wilhelmshaven ***** ***** U-34 sinks HMS Whirlwind (destroyer) off Land’s End ***** ***** Romania announces its alignment with the Axis powers. ***** ***** President Roosevelt lays down ‘five fundamentals of freedom’: freedom from fear, of information, of religion, of expression, and from want. ***** ***** Ark Royal sinks Dunkerque at Mers-el-Kebir July 6, 1940 ***** German aircraft and minesweepers sink 4 British submarines, Narwhal, Spearfish, Shark and Thames. The first German U-boat base in France is opened at Lorient. ***** ***** Hitler returns to Berlin to popular aclaim ***** After spending 8 weeks in the west supervising the German offensive, a triumphant Hitler returns to Berlin and is cheered wildly by the population of Berlin. Italy allows French Mediterranean bases to remain armed. ***** ***** French naval squadron interned by the British Navy ***** A French naval squadron that has sought refuge at Alexandria is disarmed and interned by the British Navy. British Metropolitan Police to be armed when guarding vulnerable positions. ***** ***** Swordfish aircraft damage the French battleship Richelieu at Dakar after the French reject demilitarisation proposals ***** ***** RAF begins night bombing of Germany. ***** ***** Commons passed War Credits of £1,000,000,000 ***** Commons passed War Credits of £1,000,000,000. Tea rationing of 2oz per head per week introduced in Britain. Cape Spartivento, Battle of ***** ***** British submarine Salmon is lost south-west of Stavanger, Norway. The German raider Komet leaves Bergen in Norway for operations in the Pacific via the Northwest Passage in the Arctic Ocean assisted by Russian icebreakers. ***** ***** Britain, Battle of July 10 - October 31, 1940 ***** Preliminary phase of Battle of Britain begins with German air attacks on Channel convoys ***** ***** Birthday Honours list includes only service recipients. British Union Party (Fascists) banned. ***** ***** Lord Beaverbrook, Minister for Aircraft Production, says ‘the sky is the limit’ for plane purchases from US, with spending running at £2.5 million per day on aircraft. ***** ***** Marshal Petain replaces President Lebrun and proclaims himself ‘Chief of French State’ of the French Republic. Admiral Raeder, C-in-C of the German Navy expresses his reservations about any invasion of Britain. ***** ***** Luftwaffe carries out raids on Aberdeen in Scotland and Cardiff in Wales. ***** ***** Hitler issues Directive No. 15 outlining the details of 'Operation Sea Lion' ***** ***** Bastille Day in France declared ‘day of meditation’. ***** ***** To celebrate Bastille Day, de Gaulle and Free French lay wreaths at Cenotaph in London. Churchill broadcasts that Hitler must recast his invasion plans. British commandos launch a raid against Guernsey in the Channel Islands, with negligible results. ***** ***** Destroyer Imogen sinks in Pentland Firth after collision in fog ***** ***** Japanese Cabinet resigns under army pressure. ***** ***** Hitler issues Directive No.16, orders for the planning of 'Operation Sealion', the invasion of Britain. Twenty divisions are earmarked for the invasion, but the Luftwaffe must gain air superiority first. All plans are to be ready by mid-August. ***** ***** First anti-Jewish measures are taken in Vichy France ***** ***** German Army presents its plan for the invasion of Britain ***** ***** Britain closes the Burma Road ***** Under extreme diplomatic pressure, Britain agrees to close the Burma Road, a vital supply route for the Chinese army. Prince Konoye forms new Japanese Cabinet with Army and Navy nominees. ***** ***** Hitler makes triumphant speech to Reichstag accusing the allies of war mongering and appeals to Britain ‘for the last time to reason’. ***** ***** Cape Spada, Naval Action off July 19, 1940 Italian Cruiser, Bartolomeo Colleoni is sunk off Cape Spada, near Crete by HMAS Sydney. General Sir Alan Brooke takes over from Ironside as C-in-C, Home Forces. Ironside becomes a Field Marshal. ***** ***** German aircraft sink destroyer Brazen off Dover. ***** ***** British claim 40 Luftwaffe planes down in a week** British civilian casualty figures for last month announced: 336 killed, 476 seriously injured. ***** ***** President Roosevelt signs the 'Two Ocean Navy Expansion Act'. This was the first step in preparing America for war against either Germany or Japan, or both. ***** ***** Hitler orders preliminary planning for invasion of Russia. ***** ***** Czech government-in-exile established in London under Dr. Benes. ***** ***** Lord Halifax rejects Hitler’s ‘peace proposals’. The Special Operations Executive (SOE) is created in order to encourage resistance across occupied Europe. ***** ***** Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Kingsley Wood announces the third War Budget ***** ***** Soviets officially absorbs Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia into the Soviet union, as per the Soviet-German non-aggression pact. ***** ***** Reports of Lancastria disaster released in London after Churchill’s ban on the news lifted. Neutral French liner Meknes, taking 1,100 French sailors back to France, sunk by German E-boat 572: 400 killed. ***** ***** Red Cross estimates 5.5 million refugees in Vichy France. ***** ***** Reich Minster of Economics Funk outlines ‘New Order’ for Europe, with forced labour from occupied countries. Compulsory evacuation of women and children ordered from Gibraltar. ***** ***** British claim 25 German planes downed in a day, the highest total so far. ***** ***** Secretary-General of League of Nations, Joseph Avenol, resigns. ***** ***** German aircraft sink destroyers Codrington at Dover and Wren off the Suffolk coast. ***** ***** Japan announces the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere July 27, 1940 Japan announces its plans for the creation of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Slovakian President and Premier meet Hitler and von Ribbentrop at Berchtesgarden. ***** ***** All road and rail links between occupied France and Vichy cut by Germans. ***** ***** OKM memorandum states that Sealion will not be possible until the second half of September 1940 ***** A German memorandum issued by the OKM states that an invasion of Great Britain will not be possible until the second half of September 1940 Dover Harbor, Air Raid on ***** 80 German planes attack Dover harbour** British claim 17 down** Air Ministry accuses Germans of using Red Cross planes for reconnaissance. Britain says 248 German planes shot down since the 18th June. Luftwaffe ceases major raids over Britain as it builds up strength for it forth coming onslaught. ***** ***** Hitler formally announces to his military commanders that he has decided to invade Russia. ***** ***** Hitler appraised the Army plan for the invasion of Britain ***** ***** RAF bombs the Krupp works at Essen ***** ***** Russian Foreign Minister Molotov reaffirms Soviet neutrality and the Russo-German pact while verbally attacking both Britain and the USA. ***** ***** Hitler signs Directive No.17, requiring the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine to increase their attacks against Britain and her shipping, in preparation for 'Operation Sealion'. ***** ***** British Order in Council declares the start of the grouse shooting season to be August 5th instead of the 12th. ***** ***** Lord Beaverbrook appointed to War Cabinet. ***** ***** French military court sentences de Gaulle to death in absentia. ***** ***** Anglo-Polish military agreement signed ***** ***** U.S. and Vichy France reach Green-Slade-Robert Agreement, an understanding on the status of French warships and aircraft in the French West Indies. ***** ***** Goering sets the 10th August 1940 as Adler Tag ***** ***** British forces pay increased by 6d per day** privates’ pay up to 17s 6d a week. ***** ***** Luftwaffe renews its attacks against Channel convoys and its escorts, with heavy air battles occurring over the Channel ***** ***** Romania introduces anti-Jewish measures restricting education and employment, then later begins "Romanianization" of Jewish businesses. ***** ***** British troops to be withdrawn from Shanghai and North China. ***** ***** Germans ban speaking of French in Luxembourg and listening to BBC in Belgium. ***** ***** Due to poor weather conditions, the Luftwaffe delays 'Eagle Day' until the 13th August 1940 ***** ***** U-56 sinks armed merchant-cruiser HMS Transylvania off Northern Ireland. ***** ***** Battle of Britain begins in earnest with 400 German planes attacking channel convoys and the coastal areas of Britain ***** ***** Wasting food becomes illegal in Britain. ***** ***** Luftwaffe attacks Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and all along Kent and Sussex coast ***** ***** Roosevelt agrees to supply 50 First World War destroyers to Britain in return for the lease of naval bases in the Caribbean. ***** ***** An air crash in Canberra kills three UAP ministers and Chief of the Australian General Staff. ***** ***** Eagle Day, the first day of the maximum offensive by the Luftwaffe to destroy RAF airfields and gain air supremacy over England ***** ***** Ministry of Home Security announces that parachutes had been hound in Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Scotland, but no evidence of Germans discovered. ***** ***** Air activity less pronounced, but Germans attack Southampton and Hastings** reported losses Germans 31, RAF 7. ***** ***** Although 'Eagle Day' was the 13th August, due to poor results, Goering decides that the 15th August with instead be known as 'Eagle Day' ***** ***** Luftwaffe again raids southern England. ***** ***** Germany announces the total blockade of Britain by sea and air. Axis financial meeting decides Berlin will replace London as European financial centre after victory. ***** ***** Hitler announces that a total maritime blockade is to be placed around Britain, with any neutral ships transporting cargo to Britain to be sunk without warning. ***** ***** Duke of Windsor sworn in as governor-general of Bermuda. ***** ***** Luftwaffe on southeast England and southern London ***** ***** Whole of Britain declared a defence area. ***** ***** Bad weather and a reorganisation of fighter strength by the Luftwaffe causes a lull in operations. ***** ***** Mao Tse-Tung launches ‘100 regiments’ guerrilla offensive against the Japanese in China. ***** ***** Luftwaffe withdraws the Ju-87 Stuka dive bomber from strategic operations against England ***** ***** Commons allows nationalist forces of Poland, Norway, Belgium, Holland, France and Czechoslovakia to train in Britain under their own flags. ***** ***** Leon Trotsky is assassinated ***** ***** Blitz on London begins ***** ***** Luftwaffe attacks continue against the RAF's airfields in southeast England. The first night-attack by RAF on Berlins industrial targets is made by 43 aircraft from RAF Bomber Command in retaliation for the accidental attack on London the night before. ***** ***** RAF bombs Berlin August 25, 1940 ***** German U-boats sink 5 more British ships from the convoys HX-65 and HX-65A near Hebrides, Scotland. ***** ***** Hitler orders an initial redeployment of two Panzer and ten Infantry divisions from western Europe to Poland in preparation for the invasion of Russia. ***** ***** Irish government protests to Berlin over bombs dropped in County Wexford, which killed three girls. London is attacked by the Luftwaffe for six hours. ***** ***** Raids continue on London, Midlands, Southwest England and Wales. ***** ***** Armed merchant-cruiser Dunvegan Castle sunk by U46 off Ireland. ***** ***** President Konoye of Japan announces structure to ‘unite the total energies of the state and people’ ***** After the ‘voluntary dissolution of all political parties’, President Konoye of Japan announces structure to ‘unite the total energies of the state and people.’ Vichy French radio announces that laws protecting Jews in France have been dropped. ***** ***** Germany apologises to Eire for Wexford bombing. Intense dogfights over London and Home Counties. Britain refuses German proposal to use 64 Red Cross ships to rescue airmen from the English Channel. ***** ***** Vichy France agree to Japanese demands that they be allowed to station forces in northern Indochina. ***** ***** HMS Valiant, HMS Illustrious, and two cruisers leave Gibraltar bound for Alexandria to reinforce Admiral Cunningham's Mediterranean fleet ***** ***** Japanese military begins its occupation of ports, airfields and railroads in northern Indochina as agreed to by Vichy France. ***** ***** British claim 293 German aircraft shot down in the past week for loss of 113 British planes. ***** ***** Weekly rations in Vichy France now 4oz of sugar, 6oz spaghetti, 1.5oz rice and 3oz margarine per person. ***** ***** Destroyer Ivanhoe hits mine and sinks off Dutch coast, second to go down there in two days. ***** ***** Air attacks continue on London ***** ***** Dobrudja is ceded to Bulgaria by Romania under the Vienna award. ***** ***** Romania is forced to cede Transylvania to Hungary and Dobrudja to Bulgaria under the Vienna award. ***** ***** US Congress agrees to trading 50 old destroyers for 99-year leases of British Naval bases the Bahamas, Jamaica and Argentia ***** ***** German invasion of Britain, Operation Sealion, is set for the 21st September. ***** ***** Hitler opens Winter Relief Campaign with a speech claiming that ‘the last island in Europe will be broken’. ***** ***** Hitler threatens reprisals against Britain for the bombing of Berlin. ***** ***** Hitler orders a new offensive by the Luftwaffe against Britain ***** ***** King Carol of Romania abdicates the throne to his son, Michael and appoints Marshal Antonescu head of state. ***** ***** Luftwaffe bring to a close the third phase of their air offensive ***** ***** British naval blockade lifted on all French colonies supporting General de Gaulle. ***** ***** Luftwaffe conducts day and night bombing raids on London ***** ***** RAF Bomber Command attacks concentrate on disrupting the German invasion effort ***** ***** National ‘day of prayer’ proclaimed in Britain. ***** ***** Luftwaffe 350 planes attacks London causing fires near St. Paul’s and the Guildhal ***** ***** German guns shell Dover. ***** ***** Hitler decides to postpone operation 'Sea-lion until the 24th September. ***** ***** Another heavy night attack (10/11) on London, 18 killed** Buckingham Palace damaged. ***** ***** Afternoon attacks on London: 110 killed and 260 injured** Dover suffers worst attack of war. ***** ***** Germans claim that RAF are dropping Colorado beetles over German potato crops. ***** Co-ordination of searchlights and AA guns improves protection of London from air attack. Germans claim that RAF are dropping Colorado beetles over German potato crops. Luftwaffe Buckingham Palace again bombed** Royal Chapel wrecked. ***** ***** Rodolfo Graziani and Italian Army make a rapid advance into Egypt September 13, 1940 ***** Hitler again postpones operations 'Sea-lion'. This time till the 27th September, the last day of the month with suitable tides. ***** ***** Luftwaffe's daylight raids against the London docks is reaches a climax with the biggest raid on London so far ***** ***** Piccadilly, Park Lane, Bond Street hit in night raids. ***** ***** President Roosevelt signs US Conscription Bill. ***** ***** Liner City of Benares, evacuating children to Canada, is sunk by U48** 77 out of 99 children lost, total killed 260. ***** ***** Hitler postpones Operation Sea-lion, the plan to invade Britain, until further notice. ***** ***** Minister of Labour Ernest Bevin announces that until the end of August 51,261 men had registered as conscientious objectors. ***** ***** Heavy night raids continue on London** Brighton also suffers badly. RAF continues attacks on invasion fleet in French and Belgian Channel ports. ***** ***** Moscow Radio reports that RAF bombing has largely destroyed the German invasion fleet along the Channel. ***** ***** RAF bombers (129) attack industrial targets in Berlin this night, but are mostly ineffectual. ***** ***** New rations announced in Vichy France as 350g of bread, 300g of sugar, 50g of cheese, 360g of meat per day and 100g of fat per week. ***** ***** Eighteenth successive night raid on London. Southampton and Brighton also attacked. ***** Eighteenth successive night raid on London. Southampton and Brighton also attacked. Plans to evacuate mothers as well as children from Blitz areas announced** 444,000 children already evacuated from London area. Petrol goes up to 2s ***** ***** US cryptanalyst, Harry L Clark, discovers the key to the Japanese top secret codes, allowing the US to read Japanese diplomatic, naval and military to top secret coded traffic. ***** ***** Reich-Commissioner in Norway deposes King Haakon, establishes government of Quisling’s pro-Nazi party. ***** ***** Court martial body set up in Vichy France for crimes against the state** no appeal allowed executions within 24 hours of sentencing. ***** Court martial body set up in Vichy France for crimes against the state; no appeal allowed executions within 24 hours of sentencing. America imposes a trade embargo on Japan. ***** ***** Japan signs the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy September 27, 1940 Japan signs the tripartite pact with Germany and Italy, hoping to deter the USA from interfering in its affairs. However, this step had the opposite affect as the USA now saw Japan as siding with the aggressors. Germany, Italy and Japan sign 10-year pact in Berlin recognising ‘New Order’ in Europe and Far East. ***** ***** Heavy daytime attacks on Britain. British claim 133 German planes shot down, later revised to 52, with the RAF losing 28. ***** ***** Twenty-sixth night attack in succession on London ***** Twenty-sixth night attack in succession on London. First of the recently purchased US destroyers arrive in Britain ***** ***** British convoy sails for Malta from Alexandria ***** A British convoy, under heavy escort, sets sail for Malta from Alexandria. Admiral Cunningham hopes to provoke the Italians into a fleet action. The Italian fleet puts out to sea, only to return to port at Taranto prematurely without seeing action. Luftwaffe launches its last major daylight raid against England ***** ***** Petrol rationing is introduced in Australia. ***** ***** Japanese occupy British concessionary island off Wei-hai-wei, China ***** ***** Chamberlain resigns as Lord President of the Council through ill health, and cabinet is reshuffled with Sir Kingsley Wood, the Chancellor, and Ernie Bevin, Minister of Labour joining War Cabinet. ***** ***** Vichy France passes its own version of the anti-Jewish Nuremberg Laws. ***** ***** British Admiralty announces the recent sinking of two Italian submarines ***** ***** Admiralty announces recent sinking of seven German submarines ***** Admiralty announces recent sinking of seven German submarines. Mussolini and Hitler meet at the Brenner Pass. ***** ***** Beaverbrook announces gifts received for aircraft purchases now total £6,098,826. ***** ***** German troops enter Romania to æhelp restrain the ArmyÆ. ***** ***** Another heavily escorted supply convoy sets sail for Malta from Alexandria ***** ***** Dutch decree, bans Jews and ‘half-Jews’ from public employment. ***** ***** President Roosevelt in a fireside chat suggests the drafting of 18 and 19 year old men. ***** ***** Hitler postpones invasion of Britain until the spring 1941 ***** ***** Night raids on London continue. ***** ***** German military mission begins training the Romanian Army ***** A German military mission is set up in Bucharest, Romania, for the purpose of aiding in the training of the Romanian Army. Bomb holes roof of Balham tube station: 64 killed. ***** ***** Sixteen million Americans already registered for National Service ***** 16 million Americans already registered for National Service. HMS Rainbow (submarine) sunk by submarine attack ***** Italian submarine Toti sinks British submarine Rainbow. Convoy SC-7 (30 ships) on the final leg of its journey from Sydney to Britain, is attacked by 7 U-boats in the North Atlantic between the 16th and 19th October. Losses amount to 20 ships for 79,646 gross tons. No U-boats were lost. ***** ***** Britain reopens the Burma road, which had been closed for three months on the condition of progress being made towards peace between Japan and China. This hadn’t happened. ***** ***** Australian 7th Division sets sail for the Middle East ***** ***** Convoy HX-79 (49 ships), sailing from Halifax in Canada to Britain, is attacked by 5 U-boats October 19/20, 1940 ***** British Ambassador in Moscow Sir Stafford Cripps tries to woo Russians with three-point co-operation plan. ***** ***** Deportation of 29,000 German Jews from Baden, the Saar, and Alsace-Lorraine into Vichy France. ***** ***** RAF continue its attacks on Berlin ***** ***** Hitler meets Franco, the Spanish head of state at Hendaye near the French-Spanish border. Franco declares ‘Spain will gladly fight at Germany’s side’, but remains non-committal regarding Spain's entry into the war. ***** ***** Hitler meets Petain at Montoire, which leads ‘to agreement in principle of collaboration’, but Petain rejects the idea of a Franco-German military alliance. ***** ***** British Summer Time to be continued throughout winter. ***** ***** Italian protest to the Greeks about their 'non-neutral' attitude towards Italy ***** The Italians protest to the Greeks about their 'non-neutral' attitude towards Italy. Ministry of Food subsidises fish and chip shops to encourage potato consumption. ***** ***** London has longest air raid to date as a Catholic orphanage is among the buildings hit ***** ***** Italy attacks Greece October 28, 1940 Italy attacks Greece after Greek rejection of three-hour ultimatum** Churchill promises ‘all the help in our power’. Hitler and Mussolini meet at Florence. Ministry of Health announces evacuation of 489,000 more children from London area. ***** ***** Cameron is replaced by Fadden as leader of the Australian Country Party. ***** ***** Laval becomes Foreign Minister of Vichy government. ***** ***** Balkans, Battle of October 28, 1940 - June 1, 1941 ***** RAF bomb Berlin for 25th time. ***** ***** Conscription begins in the U.S. It is the first military draft to occur during peacetime in American history. ***** ***** British troops set sail for Crete. Italians claim to have made some advances but Greeks hold most positions. ***** ***** British troops occupy Canea in Crete. Italians claim advance towards Salonika in Greece. ***** ***** RAF bomb Naples for the first time. British civilian casualty figures announced for October: 6,334 killed and 8,695 seriously injured. ***** ***** Malta, Battle of November 1940 - May 1942 ***** British mine Bay of Biscay ***** ***** Turkey declares neutrality in Greco-Italian war ***** ***** U-99 sinks the armed merchant-cruiser HMS Laurentic and HMS Patroclus off Iceland ***** ***** Greek troops trap the Italian 3rd Alpine Division taking 5,000 prisoners. British troops arrive in Greece. ***** ***** Armed merchant-cruiser Jervis Bay sunk by pocket-battleship Admiral Scheer during its attack on an Atlantic convoy. ***** ***** Roosevelt is elected as President of USA for an unprecedented third term with 54 percent of the popular vote. He defeats Republican Wendell L. Willke. ***** ***** Under-Secretary for War announces measures to give Home guard more permanent shape and better equipment without changing its ‘local and friendly character’. ***** ***** Britain promises financial assistance to Greece, starting with £5 million advance. ***** ***** RAF bomb Munich shortly after Hitler appears there. ***** ***** Italian Offensive begins in Albania ***** Italians begin big offensive in Albania. Taranto, Battle of November 11-12, 1940 British carrier based planes destroy Italian fleet in Taranto Harbor. Britain, Italian Bombing Raid on November 11, 1940 Italian aircraft attack Thames Estuary with little success: first and last Italian air attack on Britain. British Fleet launches an air attack against the Italian fleet at Taranto ***** ***** Germany prepares to enter war in Greece. ***** ***** Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov arrives in Berlin to discuss the mutual spheres of interest, especially the presence of German troops in Finland. The talks show serious disagreements between the participants. ***** ***** Luftwaffe launches 449 bombers in a heavy night attack against the major manufacturing city of Coventry ***** ***** The Warsaw Ghetto, containing over 400,000 Jews, is sealed off. ***** ***** RAF Hamburg is attacked by the ***** ***** Royal Air Force bombs Hamburg in Germany November 16, 1940 ***** Greek successes continue in northern Greece and Albania. The Italians are driven back across the Kalamas River. ***** ***** Luftwaffe launches a major raid against Birmingham, inflicting heavy damage in places. ***** ***** Hungarian Premier and Foreign Minister in Vienna agree to join Tripartite. ***** ***** Greeks capture Koritza, defeating Italian IX Army. ***** ***** Romanian leader Antonescu agrees to joins the Tripartite pact ***** ***** Southampton is hit badly by the Luftwaffe. ***** ***** Luftwaffe bomb Bristol. ***** ***** Treasury cancels Boxing Day Bank Holiday. ***** ***** Slovakian Prime Minister joins the Tripartite pact in Berlin. ***** ***** Mediterranean, Unnamed Naval Battle in the ***** ***** Romanian extremists, æIron GuardÆ, begin a murder campaign with 64 æexecutionsÆ. ***** ***** German High Command issues draft plan for invasion of Russia. ***** ***** British and New Zealand troops under General Freyberg occupy the whole of the Greek island of Crete in the Mediterranean. ***** ***** British civilian casualty figures for November: 4,588 killed, 6,202 injured. ***** ***** Greeks capture Premeti, Pogradec and the Albanian port of Sarande. ***** ***** McGovern’s ILP peace amendment is rejected by House of Commons, 341 votes to 4. ***** ***** German draft plan for the Invasion of Russia Operation 'Otto' is presented to Hitler ***** ***** War Guilt trial in Vichy France indicts MM Blum, Daladier, La Chambre and Gen. Gamelin. ***** ***** Greeks occupy Santi Quaranta, Albania. Italian Supreme Commander Badoglio resigns ‘at his own request’** replaced by Gen. Cavallero. ***** ***** KMS Admiral Hipper leaves Kiel for an anti-shipping sortie into the Atlantic ***** ***** Sidi Barrâni, Battle of December 7-9, 1940 ***** Italian Naval Chief resigns, to be replaced by Admiral Campioni ***** Italian Naval Chief resigns, to be replaced by Admiral Campioni. Franco says Spain is not prepared to enter war. ***** ***** Greeks take Argyrokastro and Delvino. ***** ***** Luftwaffe bombs Sheffield heavily ***** ***** Twenty four German divisions begin their redeployment to Romania, through Hungary as part of Directive No. 20, Hitler's order for the preparation of Operation 'Marita', the attack on Greece. ***** ***** Petain dismisses his Vice-Premier, Laval. ***** ***** Hitler issues Directive No. 20, the order for the preparation of Operation 'Marita', the plan for sending German forces to revive the bogged-down Italian offensive in Albania. ***** ***** RAF bombers (134) attack Mannheim in revenge for German attacks against British cities. This is the RAF's largest attack on a single target thus far in the war. 115 German civilian's were killed or injured and 1,266 made homeless. ***** ***** Home Office announces third German spy hanged at Pentonville Prison. Winchester housewife sentenced to death for spying. Rations increased temporarily in Britain for Christmas week. ***** ***** Destroyer Acheron sunk by mine off Isle of Wight. ***** ***** Hitler issues Directive No. 18, confirming plans for Operation 'Barbarossa' ***** ***** Luftwaffe continues its attacks against British cities, this time hitting Liverpool. ***** ***** RAF attacks Berlin, inflicting only minor damage. ***** ***** British Admiralty transfers HMS Malaya (battleship) from the Mediterranean fleet to Force H ***** ***** Anthony Eden becomes Foreign Secretary. ***** ***** Churchill broadcasts to Italy: ‘All because of one man’. ***** ***** Lord Halifax appointed British ambassador to Washington. ***** ***** KMS Admiral Hipper intercepts a convoy bound for the middle east, but is forced to withdraw by three escorting cruisers and has to put in to Brest for repairs. ***** ***** Mussolini asks Hitler for support, to help the bogged down Italian forces with their offensive against the Greeks in Albania. ***** ***** Luftwaffe launches a major incendiary raid against London, destroying or badly damaging a number of historic buildings. ***** ***** Roosevelt tells Americans: "We must be the great arsenal of the democracies." ***** ***** Allied merchant shipping sunk by U-boats, world-wide from January to year's end 1940 ***** ***** British civilian casualties figures for the month: 3,793 killed, 5,244 injured. ***** ***** Hitler, in his New Year's order of the day to the German armed forces, promises "...completion, on the Western Front, of the greatest victory in our history...". ***** ***** Germany begins negotiations with Bulgaria to allow German troops to use Bulgaria as a springboard for their attack on Greece. ***** ***** Luftwaffe’s X Fliegerkorps arrives in Italy. ***** ***** Bardia, Battle of January 3-5, 1941 ***** In his annual message to Congress, President Roosevelt announces the "Five Freedoms". ***** ***** Luftwaffe launches its first attacks against British convoys bound for Malta in the Mediterranean. ***** ***** US budget includes $17,500,000,000 defence appropriation. ***** ***** Heavy air attacks begin on Malta. ***** ***** German aircraft surprise the Mediterranean fleet which is escorting 3 merchant ships to Greece ***** ***** Germany and the Soviet Union sign a fresh treaty, which recognises their existing spheres of influence and affirms current trade agreements. ***** ***** Roosevelt introduces his 'Lend Lease' bill to the House of Representatives as House Resolution 1776 (H.R. 1776) ***** ***** Hitler confirms in Directive No.22, his intentions to send military support to the Italians in Albania. The operation is to be named 'Alpine Violets'. ***** ***** HMS Southampton and HMS Gloucester are attacked by German aircraft in the Sicilian channel. Gloucester is damaged and Southampton is sunk ***** ***** Recruiting of Norwegians for the 'Nordland' Regiment of the 5th SS Motorised Division 'Wiking' begins. ***** ***** Luftwaffe launches a heavy attack against Plymouth. ***** ***** Hitler demands that Bulgaria joins the Tripartite pact, but the Bulgarians play for time. ***** ***** French forces in Indochina launch an offensive against Thailand after numerous border provocations, but are unable to make much headway on land. ***** ***** French inflict a naval defeat on Thai forces at Koh-Chang. ***** ***** Hitler and Mussolini meet at Berchtesgaden, with Mussolini accepting German military help in North Africa, but not Albania. ***** ***** Compulsory fire watching duty introduced in Great Britain ***** Compulsory fire watching duty introduced in Great Britain. With Hitler's tacit support, Marshal Antonescu suppresses a rebellion by the Iron Guard in Romania ***** ***** Communist newspaper, The Daily Worker is suppressed in Britain ***** Communist newspaper, The Daily Worker is suppressed in Britain. Tobruk, Battle of January 21/2, 1941 ***** HMS Hyperion sunk by mine off Cape Bon ***** ***** In Washington, the US and British military leaders begin secret staff talks regarding co-ordination of a common war policy against Germany. ***** ***** Greek Premier, General. Metaxis dies aged 70. M. A. Korizis takes over. ***** ***** Japanese intervene in the conflict between Vichy France and Thailand, imposing an armistice on the French, which they are powerless to refuse. ***** ***** January’s civilian casualty figures are 1,500 killed and 2,012 injured ***** January’s civilian casualty figures are 1,500 killed and 2,012 injured. East African Campaign January 31 - May 17, 1941 ***** SS recruits of the ‘Nordland’ Regiment give their oath to SS Reichsführer Himmler in Oslo. ***** ***** KMS Admiral Hipper slips out of Brest for another sortie into the Atlantic ***** ***** US Navy is reorganised into the Atlantic, Pacific and Asiatic fleets and ordered to gradually bring ship crews up to war establishment ***** ***** Hitler reviews the plans for Operation 'Barbarossa', as German intelligence estimates that 155 Red Army divisions are deployed in western Russia against just 116 German and Axis divisions. The starting date is again confirmed as the 15th May 1941 ***** ***** Thirty-three Italian Fascist Party leaders are dispatched to bolster morale on the Albanian front ***** Thirty-three Italian Fascist Party leaders are dispatched to bolster morale on the Albanian front. KMS Scharnhorst and Gneisenau (battleships) sail from the Baltic to the Atlantic ***** ***** Beda Fromm, Battle of February 5-7, 1941 ***** Bishops of Norway start the Church’s struggle against the occupying German forces ***** ***** Hitler makes one last appeal to the Spanish leader, General Franco, to enter the war. ***** ***** House of Commons vote for war credits of £1,600,000,000. ***** ***** Laval declines Petain’s offer of Cabinet seat in the Vichy Government. ***** ***** Force H from Malta bombards Genoa, without hindrance from the Italian Navy or Air force. ***** ***** First convoy carrying the newly formed Afrika Korps under the command of Lieutenant General Rommel leaves Naples for Tripoli in Libya ***** ***** House of Representatives passes H.R. 1776 by a vote of 260 to 165. ***** ***** In a radio broadcast, Churchill warns Bulgaria against joining the Tripartite pact. ***** ***** Admiral Darlan becomes Vichy Vice-Premier ***** Admiral Darlan becomes Vichy Vice-Premier. RAF attacks the oil storage tanks at Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The raid sees the operational debut of the RAF's first 4-engine heavy bomber, the Stirling. ***** ***** RAF bombs Hanover ***** ***** British foreign Secretary, Anthony Eden and General Sir John Dill, Chief of the Imperial General Staff leave London for a tour of the Balkan capitals ***** ***** Hitler starts to apply pressure on Yugoslavia to join the Tripartite pact. ***** ***** Great Britain breaks off diplomatic relations with Romania as it is now clear that the Romanians are firmly allied to the Germans. ***** ***** Parts of the Australian 8th Division arrive in Singapore. ***** ***** Australian Prime Minister, R.G. Menzies arrives in Britain for talks with Churchill ***** ***** Four hundred thirty (430) Jewish hostages are deported from Amsterdam after a Dutch Nazi is killed by Jews ***** Four hundred thirty (430) Jewish hostages are deported from Amsterdam after a Dutch Nazi is killed by Jews. Luftwaffe Stukas sink a British destroyer and the monitor Terror off the North African coast, near Tobruk ***** ***** Alexandros Korizis, the Greek premier formally accepts Britain's offer of troops. ***** ***** RAF's twin-engine Manchester bomber is used for the first time during a raid against Brest. ***** ***** British Commando's land on the Italian held Island of Castelorizzo in the Dodecanese. ***** ***** British submarine HMS Upholder sinks the Italian Cruiser Armando Diaz to the southwest of Malta ***** ***** Franco, in response to Hitler's appeal to enter the war, says ‘I stand today already at your side, entirely and decidedly at your disposal,' but refuses to enter the war. ***** ***** British monthly civilian casualty figures tally at 789 killed and 1068 injured. ***** ***** Vichy France reduces bread ration from 350g to 280g. ***** ***** British Commando's, having been left to hold Castelorizzo without out Naval support or reinforcement, are forced to evacuate when the Italians land troops on the Island. ***** ***** Bulgaria finally joins the Tripartite pact after the discovery of a planned pro-British coup. Italian civilian rations are halved in order to allow food exports to Germany. ***** ***** Himmler makes his first visit to Auschwitz, during which he orders Kommandant Höss to begin massive expansion, including a new compound to be built at nearby Birkenau that can hold 100,000 prisoners. ***** ***** RAF launches a heavy raid against Cologne. ***** ***** German Twelfth Army moves into Bulgaria. Great Britain breaks off diplomatic relations with Bulgaria. ***** ***** Hitler increases the pressure on Yugoslavia to join the Tripartite pact by inviting Prince Paul, the regent, to Berchtesgaden ***** ***** On the northern Norwegian coast, British light naval units and commandos carry out a raid on the Lofoten islands near Narvik, destroying the port and oil storage facilities. ***** ***** Royal Navy begins escorting British and Commonwealth troop convoys from Egypt to Greece. ***** ***** German Jews ordered into forced labour. ***** ***** British and Commonwealth troops begin to arrive in Greece. ***** ***** U-47 (Kapitanleutnant Günther Prien) is sunk by the British Destroyer HMS Wolverine ***** ***** US Senate passes the 'Lend Lease' bill by 60 votes to 31 ***** ***** Italian Offensive begins in Albania ***** The Italians launch another offensive against the Greek 1st Army in Albania, but it makes very little progress. RAF attacks Le Havre and at the same time gives the new 4-engine Halifax bomber it debut, although one of the six Halifax's involved is shot down on its return flight by an RAF night fighter. ***** ***** British diplomats from Bulgaria reach Istanbul, although 2 people are killed when a bomb in their luggage explodes. ***** ***** Japanese Foreign Minister to visit Rome and Berlin. ***** ***** US House of Representatives passes the 'Lend Lease' Bill by 317 votes to 71 ***** ***** Luftwaffe carries out a heavy raid against Clydebank, near Glasgow. 35,000 of the towns population of 47,000 are made homeless. ***** ***** Blitz of Clydebank shipyard by German Luftwaffe March 13-15, 1941 Blitz of Clydebank shipyard by German Luftwaffe. Roosevelt broadcasts to the nation announcing ‘the end of compromise with tyranny’. ***** ***** Kriegsmarine loses two of its most successful U-boat commanders, Kretschmer (U-99) and Schepke (U-100) to British escorts from convoy HX112. ***** ***** German Naval staff complain to the Italians about their lack of effort to intercept British convoys to Greece. ***** ***** Churchill forms the 'Battle of the Atlantic' committee ***** Churchill forms the 'Battle of the Atlantic' committee in order to afford the highest level of co-ordination against the U-boat menace. Four Yugoslav ministers resign rather than accept German terms. ***** ***** Berlin suffers its first raid of the year by the RAF. ***** ***** Under heavy pressure Yugoslavia finally signs the Tripartite pact ***** Under heavy pressure Yugoslavia finally signs the Tripartite pact. HMS York (cruiser) is severely damaged and then beached at Suda Bay in Crete after being hit by Italian motor boat loaded with explosives ***** ***** German Army High Command gives approval to RSHA and Heydrich on the tasks of SS murder squads (Einsatzgruppen) in occupied Poland. ***** ***** Italian fleet sorties March 26/27, 1941 ***** Coup in Yugoslavia; King Peter takes control ***** A coup in Yugoslavia by General Simonic and other army officers overthrows the pro-German government. King Peter takes control and a new cabinet is formed. Cape Matapan, Battle of March 27/28, 1941 ***** Anti-Axis demonstrations in Yugoslavia. ***** ***** Cape Matapan, Battle of March 28, 1941 ***** Anglo-American agreement on Germany-first Strategy ***** After 2 months and 14 separate meetings, the US and British staff conference ends with a basic framework for US-British co-operation should the USA be drawn in to the war. Most importantly an agreement was made that Germany should be defeated first. Commissariat for Jewish Affairs is set up in Vichy France ***** A 'Commissariat' for Jewish Affairs is set up in Vichy France. British civilian casualties for March are 4,259 killed and 5,557 injured. ***** ***** US scientific/military team surveys Greenland for potential military bases ***** A US scientific/military team arrives in the Danish colony of Greenland, to consider the establishment of military bases there. Crete, Naval Action off March 31, 1941 Italian naval forces sink the British Cruiser, HMS Bonaventure off Crete. Benghazi, Capture of March 31, 1941 ***** German, Italian and Hungarian forces begin the invasion of Yugoslavia and Greece. The Luftwaffe carries out several devastating bombing raids against Belgrade and all but wipes out the Yugoslav air force on the ground. *****