1939
A Treaty
A Treaty with Estonia provides for the transfer of Estonians of German origin
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Browse historical records dated to 1939. Records are rendered from the World History Database into this page's initial HTML.
A Treaty with Estonia provides for the transfer of Estonians of German origin
A near miss from Graf Spee damages Achilles and briefly disrupts the cruiser's course during the morning battle.
After Exeter is forced out of the fight, Parry keeps Achilles engaged alongside Ajax against the German raider.
Parry's cruiser helps shadow Graf Spee toward Montevideo after Harwood breaks off the close daylight engagement.
Appointed Acting President of Panama
Addresses the Canadian Parliament & gives Royal Assent to Canadian Bills
Appointed Adjutant General of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Adjutant General of the British Expeditionary Force
First meeting of the Uranium Committee, headed by Lyman Briggs of the National Bureau of Standards, 6000 dollars is budgeted for neutron experiments
Authorises creation of the Advisory Committee on Uranium.
Roosevelt authorizes the creation of the Advisory Committee on Uranium
First meeting of the Uranium Committee, headed by Lyman Briggs of the National Bureau of Standards, 6000 dollars is budgeted for neutron experiments
Graf Spee sinks the small British tanker Africa Shell in the Mozambique Channel after removing the crew.
After the Russian invasion of Poland Hitler agrees to Stalins new demands
Reviews the final day of the Air Defence Research Committee.
A heavy Graf Spee hit disables Ajax's X turret and jams Y turret, sharply reducing the flagship's available firepower.
Harwood presses the two light cruisers closer to bring their six-inch guns effectively into action against Graf Spee.
Ajax launches its Fairey Seafox aircraft to assist observation and spotting during the engagement.
Woodhouse's cruiser launches torpedoes during the close phase of the action, forcing Graf Spee to manoeuvre away.
Woodhouse brings HMS Ajax's six-inch guns into action as Harwood's flagship closes from a separate bearing.
Mussolini incorporates Albania into the Italian sphere under the Savoy crown
The Albanian crown is offered to Victor Emmanuel III after Zog is deposed
The Soviet Union offers a Soviet-British-French alliance which would guarantee the integrity of Poland, the consulations are unproductive
The Soviet Union offers a Soviet-British-French alliance which would guarantee the integrity of Poland, the consulations are unproductive
The Soviet Union offers a Soviet-British-French alliance which would guarantee the integrity of Poland, the consulations are unproductive
The Soviet Union offers a Soviet-British-French alliance which would guarantee the integrity of Poland, the consulations are unproductive
Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain
Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain, Churchill urges acceptence
Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain
At a meeting of the Politbureau Stalin says an alliance with Germany maybe possible
Campaigns with Eden for an immediate alliance with Russia & France
Receives the British Ambassador, proposes a triple pact of Britain, France & Russia
Britain & France pledge to support Romania. Britain & France pledge to support Greece
Churchill urges Britain to form a military alliance with Russia
Signs the Pact of Steel for Italy with Germany
Formalizes relations between Italy & Germany, Japan joins after the outbreak of war
Ends appeasement of Germany by commiting Britain to defend Poland. Embarks on policy which leads to British declaration of war against Germany
After Germany's pact with Russia Britain completes the Anglo-Polish Defence Alliance
The Fusion Government breaks up over Herzogs support for Britain in World War II
Forwards a motion in the House Assembly to remain neutral but defeated by 13 votes
Smuts supports a Commonwealth alliance to fight World War II. Puts the case in Cabinet for South African neutrality, defeated by Smuts
Signs the Pact for Germany with Italy
Signs an agreement with Britain creating a temporary Pact of mutual assistance
At a meeting of the Politbureau Stalin says an alliance with Germany maybe possible
Signs the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Britain & France pledge to support Poland
Warns Hitler Britain will support Poland in the event of an attack
An alliance is signed with Poland providing for reciprocal guarantees
Mussolini instructs Ciano to inform Ribbentrop he will accept the Pact of Steel
Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain
Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain
Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain, Churchill urges acceptence
The Soviet Union offers a Soviet-British-French alliance which would guarantee the integrity of Poland, the consulations are unproductive
The Soviet Union offers a Soviet-British-French alliance which would guarantee the integrity of Poland, the consulations are unproductive
The Soviet Union offers a Soviet-British-French alliance which would guarantee the integrity of Poland, the consulations are unproductive
The Soviet Union offers a Soviet-British-French alliance which would guarantee the integrity of Poland, the consulations are unproductive
Campaigns with Eden for an immediate alliance with Russia & France
Graf Spee meets Altmark near Tristan da Cunha for another refuelling before turning toward the Indian Ocean.
Graf Spee meets supply ship Altmark to receive fuel and stores while continuing the Atlantic raiding cruise.
Britain and France guarantee Polands defense (Anglo French Assurance Pact), a pact with Poland to come to their defense if Germany attacked
The Anglo-German Naval Agreement is renounced by Adolf Hitler
The Anglo-German Naval Agreement is renounced by Adolf Hitler. Hitler says all he requests from Poland is Danzig & the Polish Corridor
Ciano supports plans to attach Albania to the Italian crown
Japan renounces the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany
Japan renounces the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany
Zog calls for resistance as Italian forces land on the Albanian coast
Argesanu forms an emergency government after Calinescu's assassination.
Survives an attempted military challenge led by General Ariosto Herrera and maintains constitutional government.
Parliament passes the National Services (Armed Forces) Act
A Ministry of Supply is created, 1st advocated by Churhill in 1936
Arms can be shipped to belligerent powers if they pay cash & US ships transport them
Albanian army resistance breaks down after Italian forces advance inland
The German forces for the invasion of Poland codename Fall Weiss are divided into Army Group North (German 3rd and 4th armies) and Army Group South (German 8th, 10th, and 14th armies), and the Slovakian Army Group Bernolak
The German forces for the invasion of Poland codename Fall Weiss are divided into Army Group North (German 3rd and 4th armies) and Army Group South (German 8th, 10th, and 14th armies), and the Slovakian Army Group Bernolak
Aranitasi faces the Italian invasion with limited and poorly prepared Albanian forces
Arrested for trying to blow up Hitler, imprisoned in Dachau
Arrested & accused of spying for France
Langsdorff sinks the British merchant Ashlea after removing her crew, who are transferred to the captured Newton Beech.
Iron Guard assassins kill Calinescu in Bucharest.
Coordinates forced emigration and emerging deportation policy.
Berths at Wolfes Cove 1 mile from Quebec
Birmingham's municipal airport opens at Elmdon shortly before the Second World War.
Chamberlain warns that Britain will resist any attempt at German world domination.
1st air attack on British territory
1st air attack on British territory
Warsaw is heavilly bombed
Artillery bombardment of a city is introduced for the 1st time against Warsaw
South Africa severs relations with Germany
South Africa severs relations with Germany
Graf Spee sights British warships on the morning of 13 December while approaching the River Plate area.
Appointed Adjutant General of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Adjutant General of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Chief of Staff of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Chief of Staff of the British Expeditionary Force
The 1st units of the BEF embark for France under Lord Gort
Langsdorff initially mistakes Ajax and Achilles for destroyers accompanying a cruiser, underestimating the British force ahead.
Churchill makes his 1st wartime broadcast, after the defeat of Poland
Makes a broadcast to the nation after the declaration of war
Freuds body is cremated at Golders Green Crematorium in England during a service attended by Austrian refugees, including the author Stefan Zweig
Canada declares war on Germany
Francos rebel troops capture Barcelona from the Republicans
The Fascists capture Barcelona from the Repulican Government
Bohemia is taken under German protection
Commands a Panzer force which captures Brest Litovsk
The Germans capture Brest Litovsk
Completes the capture of Catalonia
The Germans capture Cracow
Takes the march past in Danzig. Refers to "Almighty God, who has now given our arms his blessing"
Forced to accept a "mutual assistance" pact with Moscow
Japan captures the Chinese controlled island of Hainan
Japan publishes pictures of captured Russian soldiers
Forced to accept a "mutual assistance" pact with Moscow
Forced to accept a "mutual assistance" pact with Moscow
Lvov is captured
Madrid falls to the Nationalists
The Fascists capture Madrid from the Repulican Government
The Fascists capture Madrid from the Repulican Government
Moravia is taken under German protection
German troops occupy Ostrava while Hacha visits Hitler in an attempt to save Czech
German troops occupy Ostrava while Hacha visits Hitler in an attempt to save Czech
Enters Prague
Roznan is captured by the Germans
Upper Silesia is captured by the Germans
The Russians capture Vilnyus
Warsaw surrenders to the Germans
A ceasefire forces Ueda to call off his counter-attack against the Russians
Germany invades Poland & Japan & Russia agree a cease-fire
Germany invades Poland & Japan & Russia agree a cease-fire
Censors the press & removes all opposition including trades unions & political parties
Chain Home forms part of Britain's wartime air defence system.
Twenty radar stations can detect aircraft above ten thousand feet.
Chamberlain dismisses Hitler's offer of peace
Chamberlain dismisses Hitler's offer of peace
Chamberlain tries to prise Italy away from the Axis
Appointed Chief of Staff of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Chief of Staff of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Chief of Imperial General Staff
Appointed Chief of Imperial General Staff
Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Forces
Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Forces
Appointed Chief of Staff of the XIX Motorised Corps
Appointed Head of the Government after the fall of Madrid
Appointed Head of the Government after the fall of Madrid
Shortly before war begins, Jodl returns to the OKW to head the Wehrmachtführungsamt.
Directs national emergency and reconstruction measures after the Chillan earthquake.
Launches a program to build "Anderson" shelters. Given responsibility for interning enemy aliens, evacuations & building shelters
Verlaci forms a collaboration government under Italian domination
Publishes Coming Up for Air.
Japan renounces the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany
Japan renounces the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany
Commands the army of occupation in Poland with his HQ in Spala
Commands the army of occupation in Poland with his HQ in Spala
Appointed Commander in Chief, Polish Army in exile
Appointed Commander in Chief of the Middle East
Appointed Commander in Chief of the Middle East
Establishes his HQ in Cairo
Appointed Commander of the 3rd Division
Appointed Commander of the 3rd Division
Appointed Commander of the 4th Army in Poland
Appointed Commander of the 4th Army in Poland
Langsdorff receives orders authorising attacks on Allied merchant shipping and begins active commerce raiding.
Smuts supports a Commonwealth alliance to fight World War II
Bans the Communist Party in both France & its colonies
Takes the salute of the Condor Legion after their return from the Spanish Civil War
Conscription is introduced
Switzerland applies to the League of Nations for unconditional neutrality
The League of Nations grants Switzerland an unconditional neutrality
With Hartland Snyder, models continued stellar collapse and shows a sufficiently massive star can become cut off from communication with distant observers.
Cordell Hull proclaims American neutrality. Australia and New Zealand are at war with Germany
Establishes the Production Development Corporation to support reconstruction and industrialization.
Calls an emergency Cabinet meeting on the Danzig crisis & threat to peace
Assembly offers the Albanian crown to Victor Emmanuel III
Harwood orders Ajax, Achilles and Exeter to concentrate off the River Plate before his predicted arrival of the German raider.
HMS Cumberland reaches Harwood's force off Montevideo, strengthening the cruisers waiting for Graf Spee to leave port.
Extends the Vienna model into the Protectorate.
The Czech President Hacha dismisses the Ruthenian Government from office
The Czech President Hacha dismisses the Slovak Government from office
German occupation of Czech lands completes the destruction of Czechoslovakia.
Around 07:40 Harwood turns away, intending to shadow Graf Spee and renew the fight later under more favourable conditions.
Canada declares war on Germany
Embarks on policy which leads to British declaration of war against Germany
Declares war on Germany, at 11 AM
Present at Antibes when Britain declares war
South Africa declares war
Polands western allies, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand declare war on Germany, soon followed by France, South Africa and Canada
Russia & Japan clash on the border between Manchuria & Outer Mongolia
Canada declares war on Germany after parliamentary approval.
Australia declares war
Russia mobilizes against Japan on the border between Manchuria & Outer Mongolia
The Slovak-Hungarian War begins
Signs a secret decree legitimizing the murder of Germans deemed to be "incurably ill"
Ulqinaku fights against Italian troops during the defence of Durres
Hans Frank makes plans to deport 600,000 Jews & 400,000 Poles from Poland
Commencement of deportation Jews from western Poland
Hans Frank makes plans to deport 600,000 Jews & 400,000 Poles from Poland
Albanian assembly deposes Zog after the Italian occupation
Hands over a letter to Hitler from Chamberlain saying that Britain will defend Poland
Uses his position as the most senior ambassador in Moscow to allow Polish diplomats (including ambassador Waclaw Grzybowski) to leave the Soviet Union, when the Soviets tried to arrest them
Hosts Polish Ambassador Jozef Lipski & demands the return of the Free City of Danzig
The replacement of Litvinov with Molotov significantly increases Stalins freedom to maneuver in foreign policy. The dismissal of Litvinov, whose Jewish ethnicity was viewed disfavorably by Nazi Germany, removes an obstacle to negotiations with Germany. Stalin replaces Litinov with Vyacheslav Molotov
Negotiations between Russia & Finland take place for an exchange of territory
Negotiations between Russia & Finland take place for an exchange of territory
Schacht is dismissed as President of the Reichsbank
Stalin replaces Litinov with Vyacheslav Molotov
Schacht is dismissed as President of the Reichsbank
Harwood separates Exeter from Ajax and Achilles so Graf Spee must divide its fire or leave one British group less engaged.
Returns to government as Dominions Secretary at the outbreak of the Second World War
Harwood uses Doric Star's distress report to estimate the likely movements of the German raider.
Graf Spee sinks Doric Star after the British refrigerated cargo ship transmits a distress report that helps reveal the raider's operating area.
Kupi helps organize resistance against Italian troops landing at Durres
Graduates from Balliol College Oxford with a degree in philosophy politics and economics.
With the founding of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA), the Sicherheitspolizei as a functioning state agency ceased to exist as the department was merged into the RSHA. Also the RSHA obtained overall command of the Einsatzgruppen
Signs the Einstein-Szilard letter warning President Roosevelt about uranium chain reactions and possible powerful bombs.
Economist Alexander Sachs meets with President Roosevelt and delivers the Einstein-Szilard letter
Delivers the uranium warning letter to Roosevelt.
Drafts a letter warning Roosevelt about uranium weapons.
Emergency legislation grants broad powers to direct industry, labour and economic resources.
Uses wartime powers to organise emergency hospital provision.
After communications are wrecked, Exeter uses improvised methods, including men relaying orders, to keep steering the damaged cruiser.
The First Beran Government ends in Prague, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia.
The First Paul-Henri Spaak Government ends in Brussels, concluding this period as Prime Minister of Belgium.
The Second Hermann Jonasson Government ends, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Iceland.
Takes part in the January Paris discussions linking French, Polish and British Enigma work.
Helps coordinate the Pyry exchange in which Poland shares its Enigma breakthrough with France and Britain.
Rejoins GC&CS as head of the German Naval subsection, whose principal cipher challenge is Naval Enigma.
Attends the January Paris meeting while Poland initially withholds the full extent of its Enigma success.
Explains Polish Enigma methods and equipment to the British and French delegations at Pyry.
Represents GC&CS at the January Paris meeting with Polish and French cryptologists.
Learns at Pyry that Poland has reconstructed military Enigma and built working cryptanalytic machinery.
Helps AVA complete dozens of Enigma replicas before the German invasion of Poland.
Attends the January Paris meeting and assesses the allied position against military Enigma.
Receives a detailed explanation of the Polish solution to military Enigma at Pyry.
Represents the Polish Cipher Bureau at the January allied cryptanalytic meeting in Paris.
Authorises disclosure of Poland's Enigma achievements to British and French cryptanalysts at Pyry.
Supports production of Polish Enigma replicas, one of which is supplied to Britain before the war.
Explains the mathematical reconstruction of Enigma and Polish key-recovery methods to allied cryptanalysts.
Shares Polish experience of Enigma rotor analysis with the British and French delegations.
Receives responsibility for the Enigma decryption teams and works alongside Turing and Welchman.
The day after the UK declared war on Germany, Turing reports to Bletchley Park, the wartime station of GC&CS
Joins Bletchley Park and begins work on the large-scale problem of German Army and Luftwaffe Enigma.
Demonstrates the perforated-sheet method to British and French cryptanalysts at the Pyry meeting.
Enlists as a private in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment after returning from Australia following the outbreak of the Second World War.
An 11-inch hit and splinters devastate Exeter's bridge, killing or wounding most personnel there and injuring Bell.
Bell's cruiser fires a starboard torpedo salvo at Graf Spee, but the German ship's manoeuvre causes the weapons to miss.
Bell's HMS Exeter opens fire with eight-inch guns soon after Graf Spee begins the engagement.
Harwood detaches Exeter to investigate smoke on the horizon before the contact is identified as Admiral Graf Spee.
With forward turrets disabled, flooding increasing and electrical systems failing, Bell withdraws Exeter from the main action.
Zog crosses into exile after Italian occupation makes resistance impossible
Zog leaves Albania after the Italian invasion
Arrives in London to form a Government in exile
Benes goes into exile in Putney, London
Exiles himself in Romania when Germany invades Poland
The Republican Government retreats into France. Government politicians begin fleeing to France
Resigns & goes into exile in Romania
Government politicians flee to France
Heads the Polish Government in exile, 1939-1943
Guzzoni commands the Italian expeditionary force sent against Albania
Is expelled temporarily from the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Graf Spee completes its final wartime rendezvous with Altmark before proceeding toward the River Plate shipping lanes.
Prior to the beginning of World War II, during a speech (the six year anniversary of his accession to power), Hitler foretold the coming Holocaust of European Jewry
Leads the government when the Constitution is amended to broaden emergency powers during wartime.
Appointed First Sea Lord of the Admiralty & Member of Cabinet
1st day at the Admiralty
The failed project becomes an early mass-deportation experiment.
Inaugurates the first shipment of Saudi crude oil for export.
Oversees financial policy as Saudi Arabia begins exporting oil.
Carries news of uranium fission to the United States.
Zog leaves Tirana as Italian troops advance toward the capital
Makes a speech praising the Italian Government & its leader Mussolini
Makes a speech in the Reichstag appealing to the west for peace
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain gives a speech in Birmingham, stating that Britain will oppose any effort at world domination on the part of Germany.
Announces in the Commons Britain cannot honour Czech obligations
Appointed Foreign Minister
Appointed Foreign Minister
Appointed Commissar for Foreign Affairs, 1st term
Appointed General of the Artillery
At the outbreak of the Second World War Quirnheim serves as a staff officer in the organisational division of the German General Staff
Now working for the DAF, Porsche built a new Volkswagen factory at Fallersleben, at a huge cost which was partly met by raiding the DAF's accumulated assets and misappropriating the dues paid by DAF members.
The DAF and KdF's most ambitious program was the "people's car," the Volkswagen, originally a project undertaken at Hitler's request by the car-maker Ferdinand Porsche.
The Volkswagen was sold to German workers on an installment plan, and the first models appeared in February 1939
The party, he said, had taken over where private industry had failed, because of the "short-sightedness, malevolence, profiteering and stupidity" of the business class.
When the German car industry was unable to meet Hitler's demand that the Volkswagen be sold at 1,000 Reichsmarks or less, the project was taken over by the DAF. This brought Ley's old socialist tendencies back into prominence.
Working for the DAF, Porsche built a new Volkswagen factory at Fallersleben, at a huge cost partly met by raiding the DAF's accumulated assets and misappropriating the dues paid by DAF members
German troops occupy the Czech lands.
Germany signs a non-aggression pact with Russia
Kotta's government faces collapse as Italian forces invade Albania
His government ends in Helsinki, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Finland.
Kotta's government falls after Italian occupation of the capital
Appointed Governor General of Poland, of the annexed Polish territories
Appointed Governor General of Poland, of the annexed Polish territories
Appointed Governor General of Poland, of the annexed Polish territories
The Admiral Graf Spee sinks the steamship Clement
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
The Graf Spee has sunk 9 merchant ships, not a single life had been lost
The Graf Spee enters the neutral port of Montevideo
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Believing he has found a vulnerable force, Langsdorff closes rapidly instead of exploiting Graf Spee's longer-range heavy guns.
Langsdorff takes Admiral Graf Spee to sea before the outbreak of war, heading for a waiting area in the South Atlantic.
Graf Spee enters Montevideo shortly after midnight, beginning an intense diplomatic dispute over repairs and the permitted length of stay.
Harwood keeps Ajax and Achilles in contact as the damaged German ship steams toward the River Plate estuary.
Graf Spee begins an extended wait roughly 900 miles east of Bahia while Berlin withholds permission to attack Allied merchant shipping.
Greeted by President Roosevelt & his wife. Crosses the Niagra Suspension Bridge into the United States
Hacha is forced to sign a communique placing "Czech people in the hands of the Fuhrer"
Hacha is forced to sign a communique placing "Czech people in the hands of the Fuhrer"
Handed a draft of the non-aggression pact by Molotov
Appointed Head of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA)
A heavy cigar smoker, Freud endured more than 30 operations during his life due to oral cancer, he prevailes on his doctor and friend Max Schur to assist him in suicide
Hears of Ribbentrops trip to Russia for a pact, express displeasure to Weizsacker
Hitler denounces Germany's non-aggression pact with Poland. Hitler accuses Britain of "encirclement"
Hitler pressures Tiso to declare Slovakia independent under German protection.
Hitler triumphantly enters Danzig & offers concilliation with France & Britain
Hitler's offers of peace to France & Britain are rejected
Hitler's offers of peace to France & Britain are rejected
Prior to the beginning of World War II, during a speech (the six year anniversary of his accession to power), Hitler foretold the coming Holocaust of European Jewry
Appointed Home Secretary
Begins the Hubert Pierlot Government in Brussels and serves as Prime Minister of Belgium.
Graf Spee captures the British merchant Huntsman and uses the larger ship as a temporary prisoner vessel.
After Huntsman's prisoners are transferred to Altmark, Langsdorff has the captured merchant ship scuttled.
Appointed Member of Imperial War Cabinet as the most senior South African in favour of war
In a French TV broadcast Daladier dismisses Hitler's offer of peace
In a French TV broadcast Daladier dismisses Hitler's offer of peace
In a speech, blames the war on capitalism
The Cvetkovic-Macek Agreement set up the Banovina of Croatia
Visits Hitler who demands the separation of Slovakia from the Czech State
Slovakia proclaims its independence from the Czech State
2 members of the German Government arrive with 5 Generals and demand Slovak independence
Declares that he will oppose the separation of Slovakia from the Czech State
Visits Hitler who demands the separation of Slovakia from the Czechoslovak state
Tiso reads out a declaration of independence prepared by Ribbentrop to Slovak deputies
Requests Hitler take Slovakia under German protection, Hitler obliges the same day
Slovakia proclaims its independence
Visited by Tiso & Durcansky, Hitler demands the separation of Slovakia from Czech
Slovakia proclaims independence & declares support for Nazi Germany
Germany & Russia declares that Poland no longer exists
When Slovak deputies meet Tiso reads out a declaration of independence
Agrees Chamberlains proposal of a unilateral British guarantee of Polish independence
Germany & Russia declares that Poland no longer exists
Germany & Russia declares that Poland no longer exists
Visits Hitler who demands the separation of Slovakia from the Czech State
Slovakia proclaims its independence from the Czech State
Slovakia proclaims its independence
Visited by Tiso & Durcansky, Hitler demands the separation of Slovakia from Czech
Slovakia proclaims independence & declares support for Nazi Germany
When Slovak deputies meet Tiso reads out a declaration of independence
2 members of the German Government arrive with 5 Generals and demand Slovak independence
Declares that he will oppose the separation of Slovakia from the Czech State
Visits Hitler who demands the separation of Slovakia from the Czechoslovak state
Tiso reads out a declaration of independence prepared by Ribbentrop to Slovak deputies
Requests Hitler take Slovakia under German protection, Hitler obliges the same day
The Cvetkovic-Macek Agreement set up the Banovina of Croatia
Langsdorff turns Graf Spee toward the Indian Ocean to widen the search for merchant targets and complicate British tracking.
Quintanilla assumes interim authority after the death of German Busch.
Sent to agree Stalins latest demands after the Russian invasion of eastern Poland
Refuses Russian passage to east Germany, precondition of Anglo-Franco-Soviet agreement
Poland refuses Russia passage, a precondition of an Anglo-Franco-Soviet agreement. Hitler sends Stalin a telegram pressing for a pact
Agrees Chamberlains proposal of a unilateral British guarantee of Polish independence
Victor Emmanuel III supports Mussolini's move to occupy Albania
Italian forces complete the occupation and secure control of Albania
Sends troops into Albania
Italy captures Albania
Succeeds as the King of Albania after the Italian occupation
22,000 Italian troops land in 4 Albanian ports
Italian forces land in Albania and force Zog into exile
Italian forces invade Albania and begin the collapse of Zog's monarchy
Leads the 3rd army into Bohemia as Hitler takes over Czechoslovakia
The remainder of Czechoslovakia is occupied, 10-16 March
Says Britain has no obligation to Czech because it has ceased to exist as a state. Germany invades Prague despite the Munich Agreement
Appeals to Hitler not to invade Czechoslovakia
German troops occupy Ostrava while Hacha visits Hitler in an attempt to save Czech
Hacha is forced to sign a communique placing "Czech people in the hands of the Fuhrer"
Hitler visits Prague & declares a German Protectorate over Bohemia & Moravia
Allied appeasement ends when Germany occupies the remainder of Czech, Bohemia-Moravia
German troops occupy Ostrava while Hacha visits Hitler in an attempt to save Czech
Hacha is forced to sign a communique placing "Czech people in the hands of the Fuhrer"
German troops occupy the remaining part of Bohemia and Moravia; Czechoslovakia ceases to exist. German troops cross the Czech border
Hitler sleps in the Presidential Palace
Hitler proclaims a Proctecorate over Bohemia & Moravia
Gives the armed forces orders for the liquidation of Czech
Protests after German legions move on Prague contravening the Munich Agreement
Russia launches an attack against Finland, fighting lasts throughout the winter. Russia attacks the Mannerheim Line to invade Finland
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
Hitler informs some of his commanders that he intends to invade France
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
The 1st units of the BEF embark for France under Lord Gort
France enters the Saar but does not advance further than a few miles
France crosses into the Saar but only advances a few miles
Gives the armed forces orders for the invasion of Memel
Halder presens Aufmarschanweisung N°2, Fall Gelb, a secondary attack on The Netherlands
Oster warns the Dutch military attache about an invasion
Proposes an invasion of Norway to intercept Germany's supply of iron-ore from Sweden
Issues OKW command to begin plans to invade orway
Quisling meets Hitler & urges him to invade Norway
Quisling meets Hitler & urges him to invade Norway
208th Infantry Division - Commanded by General Moritz Andreas, consists of the 309th, 337th, and 338th Infantry Regiments
The Eighth Army is commanded by General of Infantry Johannes Blaskowitz
Has the task of seizing the Polish Corridor & threatening Warsaw from the north
The Polish Corridor is breached
23rd Infantry Division - Commanded by General Walter Graf von Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt, consists of the 9th, 67th, and 68th Infantry Regiments
Demands Hitler halt his Invasion of Poland
Hitler triumphantly enters Danzig & offers concilliation with France & Britain
Warns the House of Commons of an imminent German attack on Poland
The Luftwaffe attacks Polish airfields and supports the German invasion of Poland
The Luftwaffe make a preemptive strike against Polish airfields. The Luftwaffe gains air superiority but loses 500 aircraft during a 4 week campaign
Commands XIX Panzer Corps, perfects his blitzkrieg technique
Crosses the Polish corridor
Adolf Hitler orders the German military to start planning for Fall Weiss, the codename for the invasion of Poland
Issues "Case White", secret plans to be carried out from 1st September 1939
Announces a probable invasion of Poland on 26th August
The SS broadcasts a provocative message from Gleiwitz radio station
The German forces for the invasion of Poland codename Fall Weiss are divided into Army Group North (German 3rd and 4th armies) and Army Group South (German 8th, 10th, and 14th armies), and the Slovakian Army Group Bernolak. SS men dressed in Polish uniforms stage a border skirmish at Hochlinden
The invasion begins one week after the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and ends October 6, 1939, with Germany and the Soviet Union occupying the entirety of Poland
The Polish airforce is destroyed
Watches the destruction of a Polish Army Corps from a special train
The 4th Panzer Div launches the 1st attack on Warsaw
The Soviet Red Army invades the eastern regions of Poland in cooperation with Germany. Russian troops march into eastern Poland
The Red Army & German troops join up at Brest Litovsk
Hitler triumphantly enters Danzig & offers concilliation with France & Britain
Hitler watches his troops cross the River San
Germany and the Soviet Union completely overrun Poland, although the Polish Government never surrendered
Resistance in Poland comes to an end
The last organized Polish troops surrender
206th Infantry Division - Commanded by General Hugo Hofl, consists of the 301st, 312th, and 413rd Infantry Regiments
In the invasion of Poland, Kleist commandeds the XXII Panzer Corps
The 4th Army is commanded by General of Artillery Guenther von Kluge
XI Corps - Commanded by General Emil Lee
The 14th Army is commanded by Colonel General Wilhelm List
73rd Infantry Division - Commanded by General Friedrich von Rabenau, consists of the 170th, 186th, and 213th Infantry Regiments
The Tenth Army is commanded by General of Artillery Walter von Reichenau
Sent to agree Stalins latest demands after the Russian invasion of eastern Poland
Predicts that Britain will not attack in the west while Germany invades Poland
Has the task of destroying Polish forces on the border before approaching Warsaw
The German Tenth Army are within 40 miles of Warsaw
The Bzura "pocket" is contained by the German Army Group South
10th Panzer Division - Commanded by General Ferdinand Schaal, consists of the 4th Panzer Brigade and 10th Motorized Rifle Brigade
German troops concentrate on the Polish border after the Polish ultimatum to Danzig
The 4th Panzer Div launches the 1st attack on Warsaw
Upper Silesia is captured by the Germans
All French operations against the Germans are halted
Warsaw is surrounded by German troops, Hitler orders its bombardment
The Soviets carry out their part of the secret appendix of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact dividing Eastern Europe into Nazi and Soviet spheres of influence. The Polish Government flees to Romania. Russia gives the order to invade eastern Poland which is undefended. Facing the second front, the Polish Government decides the defense of the Romanian bridgehead is no longer feasible and orders the evacuation of all troops to neutral Romania
The Germans capture Brest Litovsk
The Ref Army & German troops join up at Brest Litovsk
Warsaw finaly capitulates, 160,000 are taken prisoner
Many of the exiles subsequently join the recreated Polish Army in allied France, French-mandated Syria, and the United Kingdom. Germany and the Soviet Union completely overrun Poland, although the Polish Government never surrendered
Resistance in Poland comes to an end
Russia formally annexes its occupied Polish territories
Commands the Polish forces during the German invasion of Poland
Launches a short lived counter-attack along the River Bzura
The Bzura "pocxket" is contained by the German Army Group South
The Poznan Army collapses
The German Army crosses the Polish border
The Soviets carry out their part of the secret appendix of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which divided Eastern Europe into Nazi and Soviet spheres of influence. The Russians invade Poland for 1 week. Russia gives the order to invade eastern Poland which is undefended
The remains of the Polish Government & military High Command flee to Hungary
The Red Army & German troops join up at Brest Litovsk
After the Russian invasion of Poland Hitler agrees to Stalins new demands
Germany and the Soviet Union completely overrun Poland, although the Polish Government never surrendered
Slovakia joins Germany's invasion of Poland.
X Corps - Commanded by General Wilhelm Ulex
XIII Corps - Commanded by General Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Weichs
Japanese attack on disputed border areas is renewed between Japanese and Soviets
Japanese attacks on disputed border areas is renewed between Japanese and Russia
Allows the Hungarians to capture Ruthenia & establish a border with Poland
France enters the Saar but does not advance further than a few miles
Announces Hungarian troop movements on the Slovak-Hungarian border
Given the directive to safeguard the independence of the country and to maintain the integrity of the Swiss territory
The entire country is fully mobilized in only three days, the Swiss Government began to fortify positions throughout the country, the total strength of the army and militias grew to over 500,000
Informs his adjutant that he intends to invade te West as soon as Poland is captured
The German attack of the West is postponed because of bad weather
Mussolini orders the invasion of Albania to expand Italian control across the Adriatic
Einstein writes a letter to Roosevelt to develop the atomic bomb
Einstein writes a letter to Roosevelt to develop the atomic bomb
Iran declares itself neutral
Italian troops land at Albanian ports and overthrow Zog's kingdom
Verlaci's government accepts political union with Fascist Italy
Hermann Goering Appoints Reinhard Heydrich as Head of Jewish Emigration
Hermann Goering Appoints Reinhard Heydrich as Head of Jewish Emigration
Victor Emmanuel III accepts the Albanian crown under Italian occupation
Italian troops land at Durres as the main invasion force enters Albania
Italian troops land at Sarande as Albania is attacked from several ports
Italian forces land at Shengjin to widen the invasion front
Italian troops land at Vlore during the opening phase of the invasion
Messe participates in the Italian landing operations at Durres
Leaves for Canada
Parliament passes the National Services (Armed Forces) Act
Signs an amendment to the Neutrality Act
When Graf Spee turns toward the badly damaged Exeter, Harwood orders Ajax and Achilles to close and draw German fire away.
The Luftwaffe make a preemptive strike against Polish airfields. The Luftwaffe gains air superiority but loses 500 aircraft during a 4 week campaign
Invited by Paul Reynaud to examine the defences of the Maginot Line
Graf Spee opens fire on HMS Exeter with 283-millimetre guns shortly after 06:17 as the Battle of the River Plate begins.
First meeting of the Uranium Committee, headed by Lyman Briggs of the National Bureau of Standards, 6000 dollars is budgeted for neutron experiments
Roosevelt authorizes the creation of the Advisory Committee on Uranium. Economist Alexander Sachs meets with President Roosevelt and delivers the Einstein-Szilard letter
Economist Alexander Sachs meets with President Roosevelt and delivers the Einstein-Szilard letter
Russia attacks the Mannerheim Line to invade Finland
Orders the, "Polish Ruling Class is to be put out of harms way as far as possible"
With George Volkoff, shows that sufficiently massive neutron cores have no static equilibrium, helping establish the theoretical path toward gravitational collapse.
Meets an Anglo-French mission to discuss the defence of Poland if attacked by Germany
Appointed Head of MI6
Given Polish & Russian food & raw materials in exchange for RM1 billion military aid
Churchill urges Britain to form a military alliance with Russia
Kerensky participates in military leadership debate during his political career.
Maintains a policy of military neutrality throughout the Second World War.
In the Commons Churchill calls for a Ministry of Supply
A Ministry of Supply is created, 1st advocated by Churhill in 1936
Cabinet decides to double the territorial force
Cabinet decides in the event of war with Germany an army will be sent to Europe
Conscription is introduced
Conscription is created for 6 months service for men aged 20
Advises the Anglo-French War Council it should distract Germany's invasion of Poland
Addresses generals saying that "Might is right"
Gives the armed forces orders for the defence of Germany
The armed forces are ordered to be ready for the occupation of Danzig
The armed forces are ordered to be ready for the occupation of the rest of Czech
Full mobilization of the 3rd Division is ordered
Takes minutes at a Chancellery conference when Hitler declares war is inevitable
Completes his first major climb, reaching the summit of Mount Oliver in the Southern Alps
Germany invades Prague despite the Munich Agreement
Protests after German legions move on Prague in contravention of the Munich Agreement
Protests after German legions move on Prague contravening the Munich Agreement
Argues that Narvik is vital because Swedish iron ore reaches Germany through the port in winter.
Supports Allied discussion of action in Scandinavia against the German ore route.
Leads the government as Ireland declares a national emergency at the outbreak of the Second World War.
The Nazi-Soviet pact deepens Healey’s doubts about Communist policy and Soviet intentions.
Cables Stalin accepting the draft for the pact & urges ratification of the Treaty
Receives news from Stalin the Soviets will sign the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Signs the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. Russia & Germany will not attack each other for 10 yrs with an option for 5 more yrs
Hands the German Ambassador von der Schulenburg a draft of the non-aggression pact
Signs a pact pledging both Countries to remain neutral if the other is at war. Includes secret protocols dividing Europe into zones of influence
Sends a message to Molotov outlining the Russo-German Non-Aggression Pact
Flies to Moscow to sign the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact with Stalin
Meets with Stalin in Moscow who signs the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
The Soviet Germany Boundary & Friendship Treaty is signed
Handed a draft of the non-aggression pact by Molotov
Instrumental in bringing about the August 1939 German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Invites Ribbentrop to Moscow for 23 August. Hitler cables Stalin accepting the draft NAZI-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Includes secret protocols dividing Europe into zones of influence
Russia & Germany will not attack each other for 10 yrs with an option for 5 more yrs
The Soviet Germany Boundary & Friendship Treaty is signed
Jodl works on plans as Hitler considers whether the western offensive should include the Netherlands.
Langsdorff stops the Dutch merchant Mapia but releases the neutral vessel after establishing that it cannot lawfully be taken.
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Puts the case in Cabinet for South African neutrality, defeated by Smuts
The cabinet is split, 7 vote for war & 6 against
On the day Britain declares war on Germany Hertzog supports neutrality
Forwards a motion in the House Assembly to remain neutral but defeated by 13 votes
Makes a speech in Senate comparing Hitler's efforts with the struggle for Afrikaaners. Hertzogs motion for South African neutrality is defeated by the Senate. Hertzog is forced to resign when his policy of neutrality in World War II is defeated
Cordell Hull proclaims American neutrality
Belgium declares its neutrality
The Graf Spee enters the neutral port of Montevideo
Signs a pact pledging both Countries to remain neutral if the other is at war
Switzerland applies to the League of Nations for unconditional neutrality
The League of Nations grants Switzerland an unconditional neutrality
Iran declares itself neutral
Requests Congress to amend the Neutrality Act to sell arms
Signs an amendment to the Neutrality Act
Signs an amendment to the Neutrality Act
Zahir Shah's government declares neutrality after the outbreak of the Second World War.
Facing the second front, the Polish Government decides the defense of the Romanian bridgehead is no longer feasible and orders the evacuation of all troops to neutral Romania
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Requests Congress to amend the Neutrality Act to sell arms
Graf Spee captures the British merchant Newton Beech and temporarily uses the vessel to hold prisoners and a German prize crew.
Organizes deportations from Vienna and Moravia toward Nisko.
Is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for portraying Finnish peasant life and its relationship with nature.
Jodl discusses plans for an invasion of Norway with Hitler, Keitel and Raeder.
Considers naval risks of mining Norwegian waters to interrupt ore shipments through Narvik.
Confirms uranium fission experimentally with Meitne
Jacomoni helps organize the Italian occupation administration in Albania
Jacomoni begins governing Albania as Italy's royal representative
Jacomoni supports Italian political plans during the invasion
Protests after German legions move on Prague in contravention of the Munich Agreement
Offers Finland land but the strategic loss causes the Fins to refuse
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
Halder presens Aufmarschanweisung N°2, Fall Gelb, a secondary attack on The Netherlands
Hitler orders a conquest of the Low Countries to forestall the French and prevent Allied air power from threatening the vital German Ruhr Area
Hitler issues a new "Fuhrer-Directive Number 6"
No mention in the Fuhrer-Directive of any immediate attack to conquer the whole of France, although the directive reads that as much as possible of the border areas in northern France should be occupied
Britain refuses Hitler's offer of peace
France refuses Hitler's offer of peace
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
The German forces for the invasion of Poland codename Fall Weiss are divided into Army Group North (German 3rd and 4th armies) and Army Group South (German 8th, 10th, and 14th armies), and the Slovakian Army Group Bernolak
Jodl's operations staff develops military preparations for the planned invasion of Norway and Denmark.
Mussolini instructs Ciano to inform Ribbentrop he will accept the Pact of Steel
Formalizes relations between Italy & Germany, Japan joins after the outbreak of war
A pact of mutual assistance is signed between Turkey, France & Britain
A pact of mutual assistance is signed between Turkey, France & Britain
It was Italian leader Benito Mussolini who dubbed the agreement the "Pact of Steel", after being told that the original name, "Pact of Blood", would most likely be poorly received in Italy
Mussolini instructs Ciano to inform Ribbentrop he will accept the Pact of Steel
Although intended to last 10 years, it was effectively cancelled in 1943 with removal of Italy's fascist Government
Due to this disagreement, the pact was signed without Japan and became an agreement between Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, signed on 22 May 1939 by Foreign Minister's Galeazzo Ciano of Italy and Joachim von Ribbentrop of Germany. The pact consisted of two parts.
The first section was an open declaration of continuing trust and cooperation between Germany and Italy while the second, a "Secret Supplementary Protocol", encouraged a union of policies concerning the military and economy.
The pact was initially drafted as a tripartite military alliance between Japan, Italy and Germany. While Japan wanted the focus of the pact to be aimed at the Soviet Union, Italy and Germany wanted it aimed at Britain and France.
Signs the Pact of Steel for Italy with Germany
Consequently, Italy did not enter World War II until June 1940, with a delayed invasion of Southern France. The pact consisted of two parts.
Due to this disagreement, the pact was signed without Japan and became an agreement between Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, signed on 22 May 1939 by Foreign Ministers Galeazzo Ciano of Italy and Joachim von Ribbentrop of Germany.
The Pact aimed to ensure that neither country was able to make peace without the agreement of the other. The agreement was based on the assumption that a war would not occur within three years.
The Pact of Steel obliged Germany and Italy to aid the other country militarily, economically or otherwise in the event of war, and to collaborate in wartime production.
The first section was an open declaration of continuing trust and cooperation between Germany and Italy while the second, a "Secret Supplementary Protocol", encouraged a union of policies concerning the military and economy.
The pact was initially drafted as a tripartite military alliance between Japan, Italy and Germany. While Japan wanted the focus of the pact to be aimed at the Soviet Union, Italy and Germany wanted it aimed at Britain and France.
When Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939 and war broke out on 3 September, Italy was not yet prepared for conflict and had difficulty meeting its obligations.
Although intended to last 10 years, it was effectively cancelled in 1943 with removal of Italy's fascist Government.
Consequently, Italy did not enter World War II until June 1940, with a delayed invasion of Southern France. The pact consisted of two parts.
It was Italian leader Benito Mussolini who dubbed the agreement the "Pact of Steel", after being told that the original name, "Pact of Blood", would most likely be poorly received in Italy.
The Pact aimed to ensure that neither country was able to make peace without the agreement of the other. The agreement was based on the assumption that a war would not occur within three years.
The Pact of Steel obliged Germany and Italy to aid the other country militarily, economically or otherwise in the event of war, and to collaborate in wartime production.
The first section was an open declaration of continuing trust and cooperation between Germany and Italy while the second, a "Secret Supplementary Protocol", encouraged a union of policies concerning the military and economy.
When Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939 and war broke out on 3 September, Italy was not yet prepared for conflict and had difficulty meeting its obligations.
Although intended to last 10 years, it was effectively cancelled in 1943 with removal of Italy's fascist Government
Due to this disagreement, the pact was signed without Japan and became an agreement between Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, signed on 22 May 1939 by Foreign Minister's Galeazzo Ciano of Italy and Joachim von Ribbentrop of Germany. The pact consisted of two parts.
The first section was an open declaration of continuing trust and cooperation between Germany and Italy while the second, a "Secret Supplementary Protocol", encouraged a union of policies concerning the military and economy.
The pact was initially drafted as a tripartite military alliance between Japan, Italy and Germany. While Japan wanted the focus of the pact to be aimed at the Soviet Union, Italy and Germany wanted it aimed at Britain and France.
Ribbentrop & Molotov meet & split Poland in 2
Russia is given land east of the Narew-Bug-San line. Russia is given a free hand in Lithuania. Ribbentrop & Molotov meet & split Poland in 2
The Germans are given land between the Vistula & western Bug. Ribbentrop & Molotov meet & split Poland in 2
Ribbentrop & Molotov meet & split Poland in 2
Ribbentrop & Molotov meet & split Poland in 2
Appointed heads of the civil administration in Czechoslovakia
Appointed Party Leader of the United Australia Party
The last of the Republican resistance comes to an end
Declares the end of the Civil War
Hands over a letter to Hitler from Chamberlain saying that Britain will defend Poland
Germany invades Poland & Japan & Russia agree a cease-fire
Germany invades Poland & Japan & Russia agree a cease-fire
Appeals for peace & offers to mediate
Halder & Beck plot to arrest Hitler if he launches a western offensive
Geor Elser plants a bomb which nearly kills Hitler
Halder & Beck plot to arrest Hitler if he launches a western offensive
A bomb explodes in the Burgerbraukeller killing 8 but Hitler left 20 mins prior
Geor Elser plants a bomb which nearly kills Hitler
Jodl serves in the OKW operations leadership as Germany begins the invasion of Poland.
Has the task of seizing the Polish Corridor & threatening Warsaw from the north
In preparation for war with Poland, in the spring of 1939 Hitler demands the annexation of the Free City of Danzig to Germany and extraterritorial rail access for Germany across the "Polish Corridor," the Polish frontier to East Prussia
Hitler says all he requests from Poland is Danzig & the Polish Corridor
Outlaws political parties
Censors the press & removes all opposition including trades unions & political parties
Creates a Central Office for Jewish Emigration in Prague.
Appointed acting President of Ecuador
Appointed acting President of Ecuador
Appointed President of the Reichsbank
Becomes president after his Chaco War reputation transforms national politics.
Tiso is elected President of Slovakia.
Begins a one-year term as President of the Swiss Confederation.
Constitutional changes extend Martinez authority over the presidency
Takes office as Prime Minister of Finland and forms a government in Helsinki.
Verlaci becomes Prime Minister of the Italian-backed Albanian government
Becomes prime minister after Parliament rejects Hertzog's neutrality policy.
Appointed Prime Minister of Australia, 1st term
Appointed Prime Minister of the Slovak Government
Asks Churchill to join the Cabinet as First Lord of the Admiralty
Appointed Prime Minister of Japan
Appointed Prime Minister of Japan
Appointed Head of the Polish Government in exile
Appointed Prime Minister of Poland, 2nd term, in exile
Calinescu becomes prime minister and continues repression of the Iron Guard.
Appointed Prime Minister of South Africa, 2nd term
Leads supporters committed to entering the war against Germany.
Jodl is promoted to Generalmajor while serving as Artillery Commander 44.
The Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia is proclaimed.
Ypi heads a provisional committee under Italian pressure after Zog leaves
Subhas Chandra Bose wins re-election as Congress president despite opposition from Gandhi's supporters.
Is readmitted to the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Dismisses the Ruthenian Government from office
Dismisses the Ruthenian Government from office
Recieves the Czech Foreign Secretary Chvalkovsky & threatens the breakup of Czech
Neville Chamberlain recognizes Francos Government
Recognizes the Franco Government in Spain
The Soviet Red Army invades the eastern regions of Poland in cooperation with Germany
The Red Army & German troops join up at Brest Litovsk
The Red Army & German troops join up at Brest Litovsk
Conscription is created for 6 months service for men aged 20
Gives full authority of the law to the "defense regulations" issued by the Government
All women under 25 are required to do 1 year labour service
Jews have to add the name Israel to their signature
Takes leadership of the Reich Central Office for Jewish Emigration.
Appointed Reich Protector of Bohemia & Moravia
With the founding of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA), the Sicherheitspolizei as a functioning state agency ceased to exist as the department was merged into the RSHA. Also the RSHA obtained overall command of the Einsatzgruppen
Created by Himmler. The Reich Main Security Office Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA) was an organization subordinate to Heinrich Himmler in his dual capacities as Chef der Deutschen Polizei (Chief of German Police) and Reichsfuhrer-SS, the head of the Nazi Party's Schutzstaffel (SS). The organization's stated duty was to fight all "enemies of the Reich" inside and outside the borders of Nazi Germany
Harwood seeks additional warships while maintaining a naval watch outside the neutral port where Graf Spee has taken refuge.
Requests Congress to amend the Neutrality Act to sell arms
Subhas Chandra Bose resigns the Congress presidency after prolonged disagreement with the party leadership.
Resigns & goes into exile in Romania
Resigns & goes into exile in Romania
Hertzog is forced to resign when his policy of neutrality in World War II is defeated
Hertzog is forced to resign when his policy of neutrality in World War II is defeated
Appeals for unity and invites Greenwood and Attlee to join a coalition government with him as Prime Minister
Resigns, angered by Lyons lack of support for his national insurance scheme
Kupi's local resistance ends as Italian occupation forces consolidate control
Jodl returns from troop command to senior operational work at OKW shortly before the invasion of Poland.
From recent merchant losses, Harwood calculates that the raider could reach the River Plate focal area around 13 December.
Langsdorff heads toward the River Plate region, where heavy merchant traffic offers a final opportunity before an intended return voyage.
Harwood's three cruisers conduct manoeuvres and rehearse the tactics intended for an encounter with a German pocket battleship.
Ypi's committee prepares the political transfer from Zog's monarchy to Italian control
Queen Geraldine flees Albania with the royal family during the invasion
Jacomoni becomes royal lieutenant representing Victor Emmanuel III in Albania
Moves into the Reich Security Main Office structure.
Under the Nazi-Soviet Pact Russia takes eastern Poland, Finland & Baltic States
The Nazi-Soviet Pact gives Russia eastern Poland, Finland & Baltic States
Hitler visits Prague and declares a German Protectorate over Bohemia and Moravia
German troops occupy the remaining part of Bohemia and Moravia; Czechoslovakia ceases to exist
Hitler proclaims a Proctecorate over Bohemia & Moravia, Czech ceases to exist
Slovakia and Carpatho declare independence from Czechoslovakia (strongly encouraged by the Axis-countries)
Visited by Tiso & Durcansky, Hitler demands the separation of Slovakia from Czech
Hitler proclaims a Proctecorate over Bohemia & Moravia, Czech ceases to exist
In preparation for war with Poland, in the spring of 1939 Hitler demands the annexation of the Free City of Danzig to Germany and extraterritorial rail access for Germany across the "Polish Corridor," the Polish frontier to East Prussia
Takes the march past in Danzig
The Germans construct the Stutthof camp in a wooded area west of Stutthof, a town about 22 miles east of Danzig
The armed forces are ordered to be ready for the occupation of Danzig
The Nazi-Soviet Pact gives Russia eastern Poland, Finland & Baltic States
Hitler lays claim to the free City of Danzig
Hitler says all he requests from Poland is Danzig & the Polish Corridor
Hosts Polish Ambassador Jozef Lipski & demands the return of the Free City of Danzig
Russia is given a free hand in Lithuania
The Lithuanian Government decides to return the Memel District to the Reich. Lithuanian military units begin withdrawing from Memel during the early morning hours - Lithuanian district governor Gailus turns power over to the Nazi dominated local assembly - 2 pm Lithuanian delegation arrives in Berlin for talks
Article 4 of the state Treaty renounces the use of force between Germany and Lithuania, and pledges that neither would support a third country against the other signatory
Germany in in the Treaty provides generous support for the economic needs of Lithuania and gave Lithuania the right to establish a Lithuanian Free Zone in the Memel harbor.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Urbsys signs the convention returning Memel to Germany at 1 am retroactive to March 22,1939.
The Kriegsmarine is deprived of a chance to launch a planned amphibious assault but was accorded the honor of delivering the Fueher to the city for a celebration of his last bloodless conquest.
The Treaty of 23 March affirms the return of the Memel District, which had been separated by the Treaty of Versailles, to Germany.
Adolf Hitler sails into the harbor at Memel at the head of a strong German naval force and spoke to the loyal people of the most remote German territory
The Lithuanian Parliament approves the convention returning Memel to Germany unanimously and without abstention
Hitler visits Prague and declares a German Protectorate over Bohemia and Moravia
German troops occupy the remaining part of Bohemia and Moravia; Czechoslovakia ceases to exist
Hitler proclaims a Proctecorate over Bohemia & Moravia, Czech ceases to exist
Appointed Governor General of Poland, of the annexed Polish territories
Takes up post as Governor of General
The invasion begins one week after the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and ends October 6, 1939, with Germany and the Soviet Union occupying the entirety of Poland
Ribbentrop & Molotov meet & split Poland in 2
Russia is given land east of the Narew-Bug-San line. Ribbentrop & Molotov meet & split Poland in 2
The Germans are given land between the Vistula & western Bug
Ribbentrop & Molotov meet & split Poland in 2
Russia formally annexes its occupied Polish territories
The Nazi-Soviet Pact gives Russia eastern Poland, Finland & Baltic States
Ribbentrop & Molotov meet & split Poland in 2
Russia formally annexes its occupied Polish territories
Hitler lays claim to the whole of the Polish corridor
Hitler says all he requests from Poland is Danzig & the Polish Corridor
Slovakia and Carpatho declare independence from Czechoslovakia (strongly encouraged by the Axis-countries)
Hitler advises Jozef Tiso to declare Slovakias independence in order to prevent its partition by Hungary and Poland
The Slovak provincial assembly proclaims independence; priest Jozef Tiso becomes the president of the independent Slovak Government
Vilna is restored to Lithuania while Russia gets sea & air bases
Tatarescu returns as prime minister and attempts to preserve Romanian neutrality.
His work becomes part of the centralized Nazi security bureaucracy.
With the founding of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA), the Sicherheitspolizei as a functioning state agency ceased to exist as the department was merged into the RSHA. Also the RSHA obtained overall command of the Einsatzgruppen
The Fascists capture Barcelona from the Repulican Government
The Fascists capture Madrid from the Repulican Government
The 10 encircled Divisions at Modlin finaly capitulate
Protests after German legions move on Prague contravening the Munich Agreement
The 4th Panzer Div launches the 1st attack on Warsaw
Warsaw is surrounded by German troops, Hitler orders its bombardment
The Poles refuse to surrender Warsaw
Has the task of destroying Polish forces on the border before approaching Warsaw
The 4th Panzer Div launches the 1st attack on Warsaw
Warsaw is surrounded by German troops, Hitler orders its bombardment
The Poles refuse to surrender Warsaw
Warsaw finaly capitulates, 160,000 are taken prisoner
Signs an amendment to the Neutrality Act
Decides to scuttle his ship in the Plate Estuary to avoid unnecessary loss of life for no military advantage, against Hitler's will
Langsdorff evacuated most of his crew before scuttling Admiral Graf Spee with demolition charges outside Montevideo on 17 December 1939.
The Corageous is sunk with the loss of over 500 lives
U-29 torpedoed HMS Courageous southwest of Ireland on 17 September 1939; the aircraft carrier sank in about seventeen minutes.
A U-47 penetrates the British anchorage & sinks the Royal Oak
The Royal Oak is sunk in Scapa Flow
Commands the U-47 which penetrates the British anchorage & sinks the Royal Oak
Royal Oak lost 835 officers and men after U-47 penetrated Scapa Flow and torpedoed the battleship during the night.
Royal Oak's loss inside Scapa Flow exposed weaknesses in the anchorage defences and prompted rapid strengthening of the naval base.
U-47's second torpedo salvo struck Royal Oak shortly after 01:00 on 14 October, causing explosions that sank the battleship within minutes.
The Admiral Graf Spee sinks the steamship Clement
Clement became Admiral Graf Spee's first wartime merchant victim when the German raider sank her southeast of Pernambuco on 30 September 1939.
Slovakia declares independence under German pressure.
The Slovak Assembly proclaims independence and Tiso becomes prime minister.
The Slovak State is proclaimed under German pressure.
The Slovak-Hungarian War begins along Slovakia's eastern frontier.
Forms a government committed to participation in the war.
Forms a government committed to war against Germany.
Defends his opposition to appeasement to his constituents
Appointed Head of the SS
Appointed Head of the SS
Graf Spee sinks the British steamer Streonshalh, the final merchant ship destroyed during Langsdorff's commerce-raiding cruise.
Succeeds as the King of Albania after the Italian occupation
A heavy cigar smoker, Freud endured more than 30 operations during his life due to oral cancer, he prevailes on his doctor and friend Max Schur to assist him in suicide
A heavy cigar smoker, Freud endured more than 30 operations during his life due to oral cancer, he prevailes on his doctor and friend Max Schur to assist him in suicide
Death of Ernst Toller, suicide rather than witness the further growth of fascism
Summons the League of Nations High Commissioner and threatens to crush the Poles
Records British cabinet coordination around the Hove meeting.
Supports British diplomatic work at the Hove meeting.
Attends the first Anglo-French Supreme War Council meeting.
Meets Daladier at the first Anglo-French Supreme War Council.
Meets French leaders as the Allies debate bombing the Ruhr.
Continues Anglo-French strategic discussions during the Phoney War.
Represents British defence coordination at the first meeting.
Hosts the first Anglo-French Supreme War Council after Poland is invaded.
Rejects plans that might provoke German air retaliation.
Represents French naval concerns during Anglo-French discussions.
Represents French munitions planning at the council meeting.
Advises against large-scale offensive action after the Saar advance stalls.
Defends a cautious Allied strategy during the Phoney War.
Works on Franco-British economic coordination linked to the council.
Attends discussions on Italy and Allied strategy.
Graf Spee sinks the British merchant Tairoa one day after Doric Star while moving back toward South American trade routes.
The Tenth Army is commanded by General of Artillery Walter von Reichenau
The German Tenth Army are within 40 miles of Warsaw
Takes 3rd Division to France with the British Expeditionary Force after the outbreak of war.
Trains 3rd Division to conduct controlled withdrawals as well as offensive and defensive operations.
Begins the Third Hermann Jonasson Government and serves as Prime Minister of Iceland.
Italian forces enter Tirana after the Albanian government collapses
Tours the USA. Tours Canada
It is anounced that Germany & Russia have concluded a commercial agreement
It is anounced that Germany & Russia have concluded a commercial agreement
Signs a trade agreement with Russia
Censors the press & removes all opposition including trades unions & political parties
Treaty with Latvia for the evacuation of Germans from the Baltic
Turkey signs a Treaty of mutual assistance with Britain & France
A mutual assistance Treaty is signed between Russia & Latvia
A mutual assistance Treaty is signed between Russia & Lithuania
A mutual assistance Treaty is signed between Russia & Latvia
Russia cancels its 1932 non-aggreesion Treaty with Finland
A Treaty with Estonia provides for the transfer of Estonians of German origin
Treaty with Latvia for the evacuation of Germans from the Baltic
A mutual assistance Treaty is signed between Russia & Latvia
A mutual assistance Treaty is signed between Russia & Latvia
A mutual assistance Treaty is signed between Russia & Lithuania
Vilna is transferred from Poland to Lithuania & becomes its capital
A mutual assistance Treaty is signed between Russia & Lithuania
Chamberlain declared that Germany's destruction of Czechoslovakia had undermined the assumptions behind the Munich policy.
Hitler occupied the Czech lands, violating the Munich pledge that the Sudetenland was Germany's final territorial demand.
The Munich Treaty makes Russias offer of military support to Czech academic. Russia, like the United States, is excluded from the Treaty & the conference
Russia signs Treaty of Mutual Assistance with Latvia giving Russia occupation rights
Russia signs Treaty of Mutual Assistance with Estonia to occupy 4 Estonian naval bases
A Treaty between Germany & Slovakia to establish a German Protectorate is signed
Contains a secret protocol giving Germany exclusive rights to exploit Slovakia. Approves the Treaty of Protection in Vienna
Graf Spee sinks the British merchant Trevanion after the ship attempts to transmit a distress report.
Langsdorff alters course as British cruisers attempt torpedo attacks, repeatedly using manoeuvre and smoke to complicate their firing.
Poland orders Danzig to close its borders to east Prussia, Danzig complies
Ciano helps prepare Italian demands intended to reduce Albania to dependency
Zog refuses to accept the full Italian ultimatum before the invasion
Takes control of the United Party after Hertzog's resignation.
First meeting of the Uranium Committee, headed by Lyman Briggs of the National Bureau of Standards, 6000 dollars is budgeted for neutron experiments
Chairs the first Uranium Committee meeting.
First meeting of the Uranium Committee, headed by Lyman Briggs of the National Bureau of Standards, 6000 dollars is budgeted for neutron experiments
The Slovak leader Tuka visits Hitler & "lays the future of my people in your hands"
Leon Blum visits Churchill
Visits Leon Blum
Visits the French Minister of Marine to discuss joint Anglo-French naval activity
Visits Hitler who threatens to break-up Czechoslovakia
The Slovak leader Tuka visits Hitler & "lays the future of my people in your hands"
Visits Rome to prise Italy from the Axis, invited by Mussolini to pressurise France
Hitler pays a State visit to Mussolini in Rome
Brought Ley's socialist tendencies back into prominence. The party he said had taken over where private industry had failed, because of the "short-sightedness, malevolence, profiteering and stupidity" of the business class
The DAF and KDF's most ambitious program is the "people's car," the Volkswagen, originally a project undertaken at Hitler's request by Ferdinand Porsche
The Volkswagen is sold to German workers on an installment plan, the first models appear in February 1939
When the German car industry is unable to meet Hitler's demand that the Volkswagen be sold at 1,000 Reichsmarks or less, the project is taken over by the DAF
Working for the DAF, Porsche built a new Volkswagen factory at Fallersleben, at a huge cost partly met by raiding the DAF's accumulated assets and misappropriating the dues paid by DAF members
The French follow Britains example & set up a War Cabinet
The French follow Britains example & set up a War Cabinet
Observes the outbreak of the Second World War from exile.
Directs South Africa's entry into the Second World War.
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
Jodl participates in planning for a German offensive through the Low Countries and France.
Oversees party measures accompanying Soviet control of territories incorporated into the Ukrainian Soviet republic.
Welcomes the arrival of Spanish Republican refugees transported to Chile aboard the Winnipeg.
Birth of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Birth of Dusty Springfield
Birth of Harvey Keitel
Birth of Laurent-Desire Kabila
Lee Harvey Oswald was born in New Orleans on October 18, 1939, two months after the death of his father.
Birth of Michael Cimino
Birth of Paul Hogan
Birth of Ray Manzarek
Birth of Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek.
Birth of Robert "Bobby" Charlton
Birth of Rudolph Franz Marie Lubbers
Birth of Simon Napier-Bell
Birth of Volker Schlondorff.
Ulqinaku is killed resisting the Italian landing at Durres
Death of Ernst Toller, suicide rather than witness the further growth of fascism
Busch dies in La Paz, ending his military reformist presidency.
Death of Ghazi, drives his car into a lamppost
Death of Karl Eduard Wilhelm Groener
Death of Sigmund Freud. A heavy cigar smoker, Freud endured more than 30 operations during his life due to oral cancer, he prevailes on his doctor and friend Max Schur to assist him in suicide
Parry's HMS Achilles opens fire with six-inch guns while operating with Ajax against Graf Spee.
Attempts to attack the German Eighth Army in the flank
Defeated during the German invasion of Poland. 19 Polish Divisions are encircled in the 1st pocket of the war, 170,000 captured
Defeats a Japanese force at Khalkin-Gol in Manchuria
Defeats the Japanese in their attempt to invade Mongolia
Observes the 1st major tank Battle in history between Russia & Japan. Japan & Russia fight an undeclared war on the plains of Outer Mongolia. Fails to restrain the Japanese from persuing the Russians into Mongol territory
Japan suffers a major defeat by the Russians on the Manchurian frontier
Defeat convinces the Japanese they cannot fight against the Russians
The Japanese are prevented from making any further incursions into Russian territory. In 1 day the Japanese suffer 50,000 casulties, their worst ever defeat. Defeat by Russia convinces the Japanese that they cannot fight against the Russians
The Russians destroy the IJA forces, 45,000 Japanese soldiers are killed
Japan suffers a major defeat by the Russians on the Manchurian frontier. A ceasefire forces Ueda to call off his counter-attack against the Russians
Driven back to Nomonhan by Zhukov. Border dispute with Russia located between Manchuria & Outer Mongolia
Attacks the Japanese in what began as a series of border skirmishes in May
Russian forces stop their attacks. In 4 days 40,000 Japanese & 27,000 Russian soldiers have been killed
Destroys the IJA forces in & around Nomonhan, 45000 Japanese soldiers were killed
Victory over Japan at Nomonhan means that Russia does not have to fight a 2 front war. After Nomonhan transfers 1700 tanks, 3 cavalry Divs, 15 rifle Divisions & 1500 aircraft
The Battle had cost 150 killed from 4 Divisions
A major propaganda victory for the British during the Phony War, Churchills reputation is enhanced
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Commands the HMS Achilles during the Battle of the River Plate
The Graf Spee has sunk 9 merchant ships, not a single life had been lost
The Graf Spee enters the neutral port of Montevideo. Allowed to stay for 24 hours under the terms of the Hague convention of 1907
Buries the casualties of the battle
The crew are evacuated & the Graf Speee is scuttled, Langsdorf then shoots himself. Decides to scuttle his ship in the Plate Estuary to avoid unnecessary loss of life for no military advantage, against Hitler's will
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Commands the U-47 which penetrates the British anchorage & sinks the Royal Oak
Nationalist forces repel a major Japanese offensive around Changsha, providing an important defensive success during the war.
After the engagement, Langsdorff heads for neutral Montevideo to land wounded men, release prisoners and assess battle damage.
Provenance
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