1940 in History

Meets Winston Churchill for the 1st time

The Senate makes demandis Leopolds dethronement on "moral" & "juridicial" grounds

Says Leopolds reasons for staying are "mad, stupid, worse still criminal"

Comes to power on the abdication of King Carol II

Carol abdicates after territorial losses and political collapse.

Wins an Oscar for, "Gone With The Wind"

Tatarescu's government accepts the Soviet ultimatum and evacuates Bessarabia and northern Bukovina.

Goring had promised Hitler that Adlertag and Adlerangriff would achieve the results required within days, or at worst weeks. It had meant to be the beginning of the end of RAF Fighter Command, but Adlertag and the following operations failed to destroy the RAF, or gain the necessary local air superiority. As a result, Operation Sea Lion was postponed indefinitely

The Operation begins on Adlertag ("Eagle Day") by German forces, elimination of British air cover had been set as one of the prerequisites for Sea Lion - the amphibious assault of Britain

Goring had promised Hitler that Adlertag and Adlerangriff would achieve the results required within days, or at worst weeks. It had meant to be the beginning of the end of RAF Fighter Command, but Adlertag and the following operations failed to destroy the RAF, or gain the necessary local air superiority. As a result, Operation Sea Lion was postponed indefinitely

The Operation begins on Adlertag ("Eagle Day") by German forces, elimination of British air cover had been set as one of the prerequisites for Sea Lion - the amphibious assault of Britain. A series of Luftwaffe attacks beginning on 13 August 1940 known as Operation Eagle Attack (Unternehmen Adlerangriff) set to begin on Adlertag ("Eagle Day")

Appointedmand the evacuation from Dunkirk, operates from Dover

Commands Admiral Hipper during actions linked to the Norway invasion.

Fleischer's forces continue pressure on Dietl's mountain troops as Allied units prepare the final Narvik assault.

Founds the Advisery War Council

The US agrees to provide Britain with 50 ex-US Navy destroyers in return for access to British naval bases in the western hemisphere

Makes a speech pledging more aid to Britain & declares the Axis will not win the war

Debates sending more RAF fighter squadrons to France.

Airborne radar is successfully used by the Royal Air Force.

Hungary joins the Axis Powers

Romania joins the Axis Powers

Slovakia joins the Axis Powers

Begins planning an alliance with Spain & the capture of Gibraltar

Begins planning an alliance with Spain & the capture of Gibraltar

Approves the speech goven by Roosevelt to give additional support to the Allies

The Defence Commission announces approval for arms contracts worth œ2.5 million. Makes a speech pledging more aid to Britain & declares the Axis will not win the war. It is announced that the "loan or lease" plan will be extended to Greece & China

Thailand is forced to become an ally of Japan

Tells Ciano Italy will enter the war on the German side

A military alliance is signed with the Axis powers

Signs the Tripartite Pact with Germany

Signs the Tripartite Pact

Will supply Britain with 50 WW1 destroyers for the lease of Caribbean naval bases

Congress agrees to lend 50 destroyers to Britain in return for 99 yr naval base leases

Provides for a shipbuilding program for entry into the 2nd World War

Weygand attempts to coordinate counterattacks while northern Allied armies remain trapped in Belgium and Flanders.

Allied troops begin landing in northern Norway to support operations against Narvik.

Supports naval action after German prisoners are found aboard Altmark.

Appointed Ambassador of France with the collaborationist regime at Vichy

Appointed Ambassador of France with the collaborationist regime at Vichy

Commando raid on the Channel island of Guernsey, failes to achieve its objective

Paget commands Sickleforce after British troops land at Andalsnes to support Norwegian resistance.

Offers a political union to encourage France to remain in the war.

Polish troops advance across Ankenes toward Narvik.

Bohusz-Szyszko's Polish Highland Brigade advances across Ankenes to encircle Narvik from the south.

Carol II appoints Antonescu prime minister with broad political powers.

Introduces the Navy estimates to Parliament for the 1st time since 1914

Provides for a shipbuilding program for entry into the 2nd World War

Congress authorizes the President to call the National guard & other reserves for 1 yr

Congress agrees to lend 50 destroyers to Britain for 99 yr leases on naval bases

Germany presents armistice terms to France

Signs the Armistice Treaty with France after disctating its terms

Meets the demands of Army Group B by providing support over the Somme & the Seine. Helps secure an armistice with France

Asks the Germans for an Armistice

Germany presents armistice terms to France

Signs an armistice with the Germans in the Foch railway carriage of 1918

Asks Reynaud to seek an armistice with Germany while French troops can keep the peace

Kerensky develops his views through army reform after 1917.

Persuades the Home Office to intern 27,000 enemy aliens

Arrested for the French defeat

Laval is dismissed and arrested, pressure from German ambassador Otto Abetz secures his release, Laval leaves for Paris and the protection of his German patron

Makes it known he would like communists & fascists detained but nothing comes of this

Assassinates Leon Trotsky with an ice-pick

Trotsky survived a raid on his home by Stalinist assassins led by GPU agent Iosif Grigulevich, Mexican painter and Stalinist David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Vittorio Vidale

Assassinated in Mexico City

Appointed Attorney General

Orders are given to carry deception maneuvers along Britains east coast

Organizes deportation of Jews from Baden and Saarpfalz.

Jodl instructs Warlimont to begin planning for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

Argues that control of Narvik is vital to disrupting German iron ore supplies.

Supports Allied plans to intervene in Norway and threaten the Narvik ore route.

Presses for mining Norwegian waters to force ore traffic away from Narvik.

Continues pushing plans for a northern operation linked to Narvik.

Backs Supreme War Council approval of mining Norwegian waters and preparing Narvik occupation plans.

Oversees naval preparations as Operation Wilfred begins before the German invasion.

Responds to the German landing at Narvik during Operation Weserubung.

Receives reports of Warburton-Lee's destroyer attack in the first naval battle.

Welcomes the second naval attack that destroys the remaining German destroyers.

Supports the Allied landing at Harstad for operations against Narvik.

Presses for stronger action while Allied commanders delay a frontal assault.

Monitors Allied build-up as French and Polish troops join the Narvik campaign.

Appoints Beaverbrook to accelerate aircraft production.

Leads 3rd Division into Belgium as the BEF moves forward after the German western offensive begins.

Gort orders British forces toward the coast as the Allied position in Belgium deteriorates.

Leopold's army fights in Flanders as German forces press westward through Belgium.

Belgium's surrender ends organised Belgian resistance in Flanders while British and French forces continue withdrawing.

Belgian forces fall back through Flanders while trying to maintain contact with British and French armies.

Jodl's operations staff monitors the rapid campaigns through Belgium and the Netherlands.

Instructed by Hitler to rebuild Berlin by 1950, must surpass Paris

A major German air raid causes extensive deaths and destruction across Birmingham.

French forces conduct an amphibious landing north of Narvik.

Bethouart commands the French expeditionary troops in the amphibious landing behind German lines at Bjerkvik.

Magrin-Vernerey's Foreign Legion battalions land at Bjerkvik and force German troops to retreat.

Germany begins its blockade of Britain

Hitler declares a blockade of the British Isles

Tells Parliament he can offer only blood toil tears and sweat.

Appointed President of the Board of Trade, 1st term

The British bomb Bardia

The RAF makes its 1st bombing raid on Berlin

British bombers conduct a night raid on Berlin

RAF bombers attack Berlin for the 1st time, retaliation for the bombing of London

British bombers conduct a night raid on Berlin

449 German planes bomb Coventry, killing 380 people and injuring 865

Tours the ruins of Coventry for 5 hrs

449 German planes bomb Coventry

British bombers conduct a raid on the Gelsenkirchen oil plant

British bombers conduct a raid on the Gelsenkirchen oil plant

Visits the ruins of Guildhall with his wife

The Royal Air Force bomb Hamburg

1st air raids take place on central London

The Luftwaffe begin to systematically bomb London, the blitz

The Chancellor agrees with Churchill & air-raid damage is charged to the state

London is bombed by 170 aircraft

Visits the ruins of Guildhall with his wife. Germany bombs Londo with 1,000 bombers

In 5 months 22,000 are killed

A bomb falls on the garden of Buckingham Palace

Concentrates on airfields in the south east but bombs are dropped in error on London

London is bombed, marking the beginning of the London blitz

Fighter Command concentrates its dwindling force after Goerings change of strategy

The Luftwaffe diverts forces from destroying the RAF to bombing London

Believing the RAF is broken Goering bombs London, 1,300 sorties are flown

The Germans begin their 1st large scale bombing of London

The Luftwaffe use 1,000 bombers to bomb London

Former Leader of the London County Council, useful during the blitz

Makes a broadcast on BBC TV outlining plans for fire-fighting in London

Churchill says Mussolini is "the one man" who brought Italy into the war

Churchill says Mussolini is "the one man" who brought Italy into the war

The Germans begin bombing Paris

Rotterdam is reduced to a blazing ruin for the German invasion of France

The Dutch Army surrenders after the Bombing of Rotterdam by the Luftwaffe

150 German aitcraft bomb Southampton

150 German aitcraft bomb Southampton

British bombers bomb the Italian naval base of Taranto

The RAF bombs Valona

Publishes Boys' Weeklies on popular children's papers.

Appointed Brigadier General

Appointed Brigadier General

German bombing causes severe damage across Bristol.

Germany announces measures intended to isolate Britain and threaten shipping serving the British war economy.

Decides to evacuate all 3 remaining Divisions of the BEF on 1st June

Gort returns to Britain & Alexander is put in charge of the 3 BEF Divisions at Dunkirk

Appointed to co-ordinate the operations of the BEF & Belgian Army

Allied craft are hit but 47,300 of the BEF are evacuated

Operation Yellow is launched to lure the BEF out of France

Races to the coast of the English Channel at Abbeville isolating the British Expeditionary Force, Belgian Army, and the French Army

Puts evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from North West France into action

Receives orders to withdraw the BEF to Dunkirk

The Commander of the BEF follows Cabinet orders & returns to Britain

The German declaration presents waters around the British Isles as subject to wartime maritime restriction.

Broadcasts to the French people declaring that the War for France is not over

Introduces the Navy estimates to Parliament for the 1st time since 1914

Appointed Member of Coalition War Cabinet

Uses underground war rooms as the Blitz makes central London dangerous.

Orders Calais to hold out to aid the Dunkirk evacuation.

Witzleben commands First Army during the German offensive in the west

The French Government departs from Paris for Tours

It is decided to move the French Government to Bordeaux

Guderains tanks break through to Abbeville

Germany completes the capture of Holland

Polish forces help close the ring around Narvik from the south.

Polish troops under Bohusz-Szyszko capture Ankenes and help close the Allied ring around Narvik.

Surrenders Belgium to the Germans

Ordered to halt by the German High Command & not to advance on Dunkirk. Guderains tanks capture Boulogne-sur-Mer

Rommel captures Cambrai, 12,000 enemy troops are taken

Germany captures the Channel Islands

Rommels 7th Panzer Div captures Cherbourg

Rommels 7th Panzer Div captures Cherbourg

Captures Cherbourg, the last major operation carried out by the 7th in France in 1940

Rommels 7th Panzer Div advances into Cherbourg

Rommels 7th Panzer Div enters Cherbourg

Rommel captures Clairfay on the Maginot Line

Dunkirk is captured after its evacuation by the BEF

Legionnaires recapture Elvegardsmoen during the Bjerkvik operation.

Magrin-Vernerey's legionnaires recapture Elvegardsmoen during the Bjerkvik operation north of Narvik.

Captures Gallabat from the Italians

The Italians recapture Gallabat

The British recapture Gallabat from the Italians

The British destroyer Cossack seizes the Altmark off Norway. Increases Hitler's determination to capture Norway

Germany completes the capture of Holland

All French ships in British ports are seized by the royal Navy

Japan captures Indo, with the agreement of the Vichy Government

Captured by the Germans & held in Konigstein

Captures the Landrecies bridge, a crossing point acros the River Sambre into France

Captures the Plateau of Langres

Reaches the Swiss frontier, the campaign in the west reaches its final stage

Allied command supports the successful recapture of Narvik.

Auchinleck's Allied command supports the successful recapture of Narvik before the wider Allied evacuation.

French mountain troops help capture the town after the final assault.

Seizes Narvik with mountain troops landed from German destroyers.

Dietl's mountain troops land from German destroyers and seize Narvik during the opening invasion.

The Dutch sign the document of capitulation

The Dutch sign the document of capitulation

The Germans occupy Oslo

Paris falls to the Germans. Churchill realises that Britain will be the next target for Hitler after France

The Germans capture Paris

The Germans capture Paris

The XIX Corps captures Ribemount in Northern France on its way to the Channel Coast

The 9th Panzer Division reaches Rotterdam

The Dutch Army surrenders after the Bombing of Rotterdam by the Luftwaffe

Receives the surrender of Belgium

The Germans capture Rouen

Breaks through Sedan & reaches the Channel coast within 1 week

The Italian forces invade Egypt in September 1940, and advance some 60 miles (97 km) to occupy Sidi Barrani

Italy captures Sollum, Egypt

Vichy breaks off dilomatic relations with Britain in response to Operation Catapult

Works with Randall on the Birmingham cavity magnetron for centimetric radar.

Works with Randall on the resonant cavity magnetron at Birmingham.

Builds a high-power cavity magnetron at Birmingham for centimetric radar.

Works on the high-power cavity magnetron for centimetric radar.

Political parties are banned

Authorises attacks on radar stations during Adlerangriff.

Appointed Chairman of the Miltary Co-ordinating Committee

Appointed Chairman of the Miltary Co-ordinating Committee

The Changkufeng & Nomonhan incidents with Russia are settled

Publishes a major essay on Charles Dickens.

Commands Chasseurs Alpins battalions operating near Narvik.

Appointed Chief of Staff of XIX Corps

Appointed Commander of XIX Corps

Appointed Chief of Staff of the Panzer Group comprising XIX, XXXIX & XLI Corps

Appointed Chief of Staff of the Panzer Group comprising XIX, XXXIX & XLI Corps

Informs Chamberlain that the Commons favours Churchill as Chamberlains successor

Defines the claimed boundaries of the Chilean Antarctic Territory by presidential decree.

Addresses the Empire during the first wartime Christmas of his premiership.

Churchill promises that after the Allies win the war France will be fully restored

Forms a national coalition government to prosecute the war.

Laval meets Hitler & offers to collaborate

Laval is dismissed and arrested, pressure from German ambassador Otto Abetz secures his release, Laval leaves for Paris and the protection of his German patron

Appointed Colonel General

Appointed Colonel General after his 19th corps defeat the French at Sedan

Appointed Commandant of Auschwitz concentration camp

Manstein is sacked as Chief of Staff of Army Group A and appointed Commander of an army corps in East Prussia

Manstein is sacked as Chief of Staff of Army Group A and appointed Commander of an army corps in East Prussia

Appointed Commander of the Home Forces

Appointed Commander of the Home Forces after the evacuation at Dunkirk

Ruge is appointed commander in chief and begins organising Norwegian resistance to the German invasion.

Appointed Commander in Chief, West

Appointed Commander in Chief, West

Appointed Commander of the French forces during the retreat

Appointed Commander of France

Appointed Commander of the 18th Panzer Division

Appointed Commander of the 18th Panzer Division

Appointed Commander of the 4th Armoured Division

Appointed Commander of the 4th Armoured Division

Appointed Commander of the 4th Army in France

Appointed Commander of the 4th Army in France

Appointed Commander of 5th Corps, a promotion

Appointed Commander of 5th Corps, a promotion

Appointed Commander of the 5th Panzer Division

Appointed Commander of 6th Corps when Italy enters the war

Appointed Commander of the 7th Panzer Division with the rank of Major General

Appointed Commander of the 7th Panzer Division with the rank of Major General

Appointed Commander of the Allied Armies in France

Appointed Commander of the Allied Armies in France

Appointed Commander of Army Group D

Appointed Commander of Army Group D

Appointed Commander of the British Exteditionary Force

Appointed Commander of the British Exteditionary Force

Replaces Marshal Voroshilov on the Northern Front

Replaces Marshal Voroshilov on the Northern Front

Appointed Commander 2nd Battalion of the 36th Panzer Regiment

Appointed Commander 2nd Battalion of the 36th Panzer Regiment

Appointed Commander of Second Corps & ordered to withdraw

Appointed Commander of Second Corps & ordered to withdraw

Receives an emergency commission as a second lieutenant on the General List after completing officer training.

Participates in the Commons debate that helps bring down Neville Chamberlain’s government.

Plans for the defeat of Britain at the Fuhrer Conference

The Lahore Resolution is adopted, its principles form the foundation for Pakistans first constitution

The Lahore Resolution is adopted, its principles form the foundation for Pakistans first constitution

Congress authorizes the President to call the National guard & other reserves for 1 yr

Burke-Wadsworth Bill, passed to provide for limited conscription

Promulgates a constitution that strengthens executive authority.

Becomes constitutional president under the 1940 constitution.

Heads a Japanese puppet Government at Nanking

Forms the Vichy Government & gives orders for the British to leave France

Political parties are banned

The Lahore Resolution is adopted, its principles form the foundation for Pakistans first constitution

The Lahore Resolution is adopted, its principles form the foundation for Pakistans first constitution

Appointed Member of ruling administritive council by the Germans

Appointed Member of ruling administritive council by the Germans

Appointed Member of ruling administritive council by the Germans

Appointed Member of ruling administritive council by the Germans

Leads a right wing coup

Responds to the severe German bombing of Coventry.

Accepts withdrawal from Dakar after Vichy resistance holds.

Benito Mussolini declares war on the Allies

Declares war on Britain & France after Germany has occupied France

The Defence Commission announces approval for arms contracts worth œ2.5 million

Directs British Middle East forces defending Egypt, the Nile Delta and the Suez Canal against Italian pressure from Libya.

Directs national resistance during the opening phase of the invasion.

Faces frustration over delays in the Allied attack on Narvik.

Resists an immediate frontal assault because of terrain and troop readiness.

Mackesy resists an immediate frontal assault on Narvik because of the risks to his troops.

Appointed Deputy Chairman of Sovnarkom

Commands surviving German destroyers as the Royal Navy attacks.

Commands a German destroyer in the Narvik invasion force.

Commands the destroyer group carrying Dietl's troops to Narvik.

Commands a German destroyer during the Narvik operation.

His destroyer force is destroyed or scuttled after the second battle.

Welcomes the deal bringing American destroyers to Britain.

Ambassadors of The Netherlands & Belgium are summoned & told troops will invade

Jodl initials Directive 21, the formal planning directive for Operation Barbarossa.

Issues "Directive No. 16; On the Preparation of a Landing Operation against England"

Dismissed by the French Prime Minister, Weygand

Dimissed by Hitler after he had declared himself head of the Norwegian Government

Dimissed by Hitler after he had declared himself head of the Norwegian Government

Dimissed by Hitler after he had declared himself head of the Norwegian Government

Combines radar, Observer Corps reports and command control for fighter interception.

Monitors the evacuation as large numbers of troops are rescued.

Works in Cabinet during the Dunkirk evacuation crisis

Uses 3rd Division in the defensive battle protecting routes toward the Dunkirk evacuation area.

The fighters are called back because of the bad weather & 8 bombers are lost. 1st of 4 days to destroy British air superiority over Britain

Jodl initials a directive ordering continuation of preparations for a future campaign against the Soviet Union.

Speaks for the coalition on wartime economic policy and organisation.

Major shortage of foods & other goods, prices rising quickly

Elected for a 3rd term, 27 million votes to Wilkies 22 million votes

Secures emergency powers to mobilise national resources for war.

Reviews a year in which Britain survived invasion threats and fought on.

Makes it known he would like communists & fascists detained but nothing comes of this

Clamps down on "the enemy within" & strongly supports the deportation of enemy aliens

Persuades the Home Office to intern 27,000 enemy aliens

Joins senior Hut 6 cryptanalysts protesting a proposed transfer of the Luftwaffe Red Enigma task.

The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe

Leads British Tabulating Machine engineering work that turns Turing's Bombe design into operational hardware.

Oversees engineering of the improved Bombe known as Agnus Dei, incorporating Welchman's diagonal board.

The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe

Meets Turing in France and discusses Polish Enigma methods after the Cipher Bureau's evacuation.

The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe

Meets Polish cryptanalysts in Paris and absorbs techniques that influence the British Bombe design.

The first bombe is installed

The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe

Breaks several German Naval Enigma messages from late 1938 using the Fort crib method.

Takes charge of Hut 6 as it develops industrial-scale attacks on Army and Luftwaffe Enigma.

Introduces the diagonal board, sharply reducing false stops and making the Bombe far more effective.

Tenzin Gyatso is enthroned as the 14th Dalai Lama at the Potala Palace.

Instructs the Ministry of Information to campaign against rumors which help the enemy

Ignores orders from Gort & the French to stay. Decides to evacuate all 3 remaining Divisions of the BEF on 1st June

Gort returns to Britain & Alexander is put in charge of the 3 BEF Divisions at Dunkirk

The last of the 338,000 British, French and Belgian forces evacuated from Dunkirk. Evacuation from Dunkirk begins

Announces in Cabinet, "of course, whatever happens at Dunkirk, we shall fight on"

The Germans enter Dunkirk

Agrees that the BEF should evacuate after deciding "no further proportionate damage could be inflicted on the enemy"

Orders Guderains tanks to make no further advance, allowing the evacuation of the BEF

The evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk begins

Allied craft are hit but 47,300 of the BEF are evacuated

The final day of the Dunkirk evacuation

The British Royal Navy evacuates 300,000 from Dunkirk

Completes the withdrawal of Second Corps from La Panne & Dunkirk

It is planned to evacuate 10,000 from Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer & Dunkirk every 24 hrs

The Commander of the BEF follows Cabinet orders & returns to Britain

French forces withdraw after helping recapture the town.

Polish Highland Brigade evacuates after the Allied victory.

Leaves Norway for Britain as German victory becomes unavoidable.

Leaves Norway with the king and government for exile in Britain.

Haakon VII and the Norwegian government leave Tromso for Britain to continue resistance in exile.

60 former aides of Carol II are exected

Executed for spying

60 former aides of Carol II are exected

Leaves Norway after leading the campaign that retook Narvik.

Sets sail with other former French ministers to North Africa on the cruiser Massila

Escapes to Great Britain into exile for the rest of the war

Deserts & joins de Gaulle in England rather than surrender

The British send a destroyer to help Wilhelmina to leave Holland

Jodl works within OKW as Germany launches the western offensive against the Low Countries and France.

Faces the strategic shock of Paris falling to Germany.

Hitler issues directive 18 for Operation Felix, the invasion of Gibraltar

Appointed Field Marshal

Appointed Field Marshal

Appointed Field Marshal, Hitler creates 12 general Field Marshals

Appointed General Field Marshal

Takes command of V Corps and continues intensive preparations against a possible invasion.

Despite the objections of its commander Hugh Dowding that this left home defences under-strength, Churchill sent fighter squadrons to support operations in France,where the RAF suffered heavy losses

Fighter Command filters radar reports into tracks for sector control rooms.

Bethouart's French troops cross Rombaksfjord during the final Allied assault that leads to Narvik's recapture.

The French First Army surrenders

Appointed First Lord of the Admiralty, 2nd term

Gort prioritises routes through Flanders needed for the BEF's withdrawal toward evacuation ports.

The BEF withdrawal from positions in Flanders helps concentrate British forces for evacuation from Dunkirk.

Haakon VII leaves Oslo with the government, preventing German forces from capturing the monarchy.

Leads legionnaires prepared for the assault north of Narvik.

Returns to the Foreign Office as Churchill's Foreign Secretary

Jodl briefs and coordinates operational information during the final stages of the campaign in France.

Recognizes Charles de Gaulle as the leader of the Free French

Supports de Gaulle and the Free French movement in London.

Prepares Britain to continue alone after France seeks an armistice.

Argues the French front has priority despite the Allied success at Narvik.

Commands French mountain troops deployed for the Narvik campaign.

Calculates with Peierls that a compact uranium bomb may be practical.

Calculates that a uranium-235 bomb may be practical.

Co-authors the Birmingham memorandum estimating uranium-235 weapon feasibility.

Co-authors memorandum estimating uranium-235 bomb feasibility.

Hitler visits Rommel, Rommel is ordered to accompany Hitler on his front-line tour

Hitler creates 12 general Field Marshals

Directive no 17 intensifies the air war against England

Issues Directive 21 finalizing orders for the invasion of Russia

Appointed Generaloberst

Appointed Generaloberst

Appointed temporary general

Appointed temporary general

Appointed General Field Marshal

Penaranda wins the presidential election as candidate of the conservative alliance.

Penaranda wins the presidential election as candidate of the conservative alliance.

General election outcome recorded for Enrique Penaranda Castillo: Penaranda wins the presidential election as candidate of the conservative alliance.

Government context for this general election: Penaranda wins the presidential election as candidate of the conservative alliance.

Initiates the George Cross as the highest award for bravery for citizens

The George Cross is instituted King George VI, during the height of the Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage

The George Cross is instituted King George VI, during the height of the Blitz, designed by Percy Metcalfe

Rundstedt's forces continue closing the corridor around Allied armies retreating through Flanders.

Withdraws toward mountain positions as Allied pressure increases.

Commands Dutch forces as Germany attacks Maastricht and the Meuse crossings.

Commands Norwegian forces at Narvik as German troops arrive.

German forces occupy Bruges during the campaign in Belgium.

Gigurtu forms a government aligned increasingly with Nazi Germany.

Commands Gneisenau during Operation Juno.

Forms a new Government in Norway

Forms a new Government in Norway

Takes part in discussions as Chamberlain's government collapses.

His government ends in Helsinki, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Finland.

Nygaardsvold's government leaves Oslo as German forces advance on the capital.

Queen Wilhelmina establishes a Government in exile in Britain

Leads the Czechoslovak government-in-exile in London.

Leads the Czech Government in exile, first in Paris then in London

In the wake of London Blitz, Benes, his wife, their nieces, and his household staff moved to The Abbey at Aston Abbotts near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire

Directs Norwegian forces in the first counterattack toward Narvik.

Promises support after Italy attacks Greece.

Serves as a temporary captain and General Staff Officer Grade Three in an intelligence role with an armoured formation.

Leads 24th Guards Brigade as Allied troops land near Narvik.

Appointed Pro-German Head of State

Appointed Head of State for China

Appointed Head of State for China

Formally proclaimed head of State in France

Appointed Head of State in France

Commands HMS Acasta and torpedoes Scharnhorst before being sunk.

Commands HMS Ardent during the defence of HMS Glorious.

Commands HMS Cossack during Whitworth's attack on German destroyers.

Commands HMS Glorious when German battlecruisers sink the carrier.

His action warns the Royal Navy of German movement toward Norway.

Commands HMS Havock in the destroyer attack at Narvik.

Withdraws HMS Hotspur after heavy damage in the first naval battle.

Commands HMS Warspite during the second naval battle.

Orders urgent preparations against possible invasion of Britain.

Eden announces the formation of the Home Guard

Encourages mobilisation of local defence volunteers against invasion.

The Local Defence Volunteers are renamed the Home Guard, risen to 1,250,000

Renames the Local Defence Volunteers as the Home Guard

Appointed Home Secretary

The Changkufeng & Nomonhan incidents with Russia are settled

The Changkufeng & Nomonhan incidents with Russia are settled

The Lahore Resolution is adopted, its principles form the foundation for Pakistans first constitution

The Lahore Resolution is adopted, its principles form the foundation for Pakistans first constitution

Publishes Inside the Whale and Other Essays.

Britain and France agree not to sign a separate peace with Germany

The US applies sanctions against Japan for closing the "Open Door" policy in Asia

Orders continued preparations against a possible German landing.

The Italians cannot form a line of defence & the Greeks advance on Valona

Commands 28 Divisions from the North Sea to Aix-la-Chapelle

Army Group B launches it's feint offensive during into The Netherlands and Belgium

Sent by Churchill to the Belgian King to "stiffen Belgiums resolve"

The Belgian Army capitulates

An invasion is launched to "safeguard neutrality". Ambassadors of The Netherlands & Belgium are summoned & told troops will invade

The assault on the Maginot Line begins. Rommel crosses the border 30 miles south of Aachen

Rommel arrives at the River Meuse near Dinant

The 7th Div is the 1st German unit to cross the River Meuse

Rommels Div earns the name "the Ghost Division" because of its sudden appearences

With operation "Weserubung" Germany occupies Denmark and Norway

Churchill sends reinforcements to Wavell in Egypt to be used against the Italians

Rodolfo Graziani and the Italian Army make a rapid advance into Egypt

Rodolfo Graziani and 5 Italian divisions began a rapid advance into Egypt

Orders the Italian advance from Libya into Egypt, beginning a campaign aimed at threatening British positions guarding the Suez Canal.

Leads the Italian Tenth Army, nearly 250,000, into Egypt

The Italians are driven out of Egypt in the 1st major british offensive of the War

Orders the invasion of Egypt on the day that the invasion of Britain was mounted

Plans to attack the Italians now he has superior forces. Mussolini calls off the invasion

The Italians invade Egypt

The Italians are driven out of Egypt in the 1st major british offensive of the War

The Italian forces invade Egypt in September 1940, and advance some 60 miles (97 km) to occupy Sidi Barrani

Wilson launches Operation Compass, the strategy is outstandingly successful and very quickly the Italian forces are cut in half

Praises the Finns for "what fee men can do" in the defense of their country

Launches a attacks against the Mannerheim Line, Finlands main line of defence

The Fins are forced out of the Karelian Isthmus

Finland surrenders large tracts of territory & fortifications to Russia

Attends an inter-allied conference in the Chateau at Casteau near Mons

Crosses the borders of Belgium & Holland towards France

Commands 28 Divisions from the North Sea to Aix-la-Chapelle

Attends an inter-allied conference in the Chateau at Casteau near Mons

Joined by an embryo staff & remants of General Petiets Cavalry at Laon

Launches an attack on the "Bulge" from the north & sth

Prepares to sever Guderians supply lines at Montcornet but is beaten back

Realizes that France will be over-run by the Germans

Advances as far as the Channel Coast

Advanced as far as the Swiss border when France surrenders

Writes in his diary, "the breakthrough is developing along completely classical lines"

Wishes to reduce the 2 operational phases to 1. Claims there is little danger of an Allied attack on the northern flank of the "Bulge". Believes France can be broken in a single sweep to the south west

Heinrici breaks through the Maginot Line

Hitler orders Manstein's invasion plans to be carried out

1st day of Fall Gelb, German forces occupy Luxembourg

Hitler takes up his Battle HQ at Munstereifel on the Siegfried Line

Times the 2nd phase of the invasion of France for 31st May at a Council of War

Fall Gelb (Case Yellow), German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and surround the Allied units that had advanced into Belgium

Operation, Fall Rot (Case Red), German forces outflank the Maginot Line

Italy declares war on France

Philippe Petain publicly announced France would ask for an armistice

An armistice is signed between France and Germany

Army Group D is formed to occupy France

Races to the coast of the English Channel at Abbeville isolating the British Expeditionary Force, Belgian Army, and the French Army

In the Battle of France commands Panzergruppe von Kleist, consisting of XLI Panzer Corps and XIX Panzer Corps (under Heinz Guderian), the two southernmost armoured corps in the drive to the English Channel

The Germans had massed the bulk of their armoured force in Panzer Group von Kleist, which attacked through the comparatively unguarded sector of the Ardennes and achieved a breakthrough at Sedan with air support. Commands 5 Panzer & 3 motorised Divisions through the Ardennes

Laval meets Hitler & offers to collaborate

Commands 17 Divisions from the Moselle to the Swiss border

Agrees to let Billote take command of the Allied Armies in Belgium

The Leader of the Belgian Chamber charges Leopold with surrendering to Germany

Manstein is sacked as Chief of Staff of Army Group A and appointed Commander of an army corps in East Prussia

Hitler orders Manstein's invasion plans to be carried out

Mussolini enters the war against France

Attends an inter-allied conference in the Chateau at Casteau near Mons

The British Expeditionar Force capitulates at Dunkirk

The French military attache warns that the centre of the German assault would come on the Meuse at Sedan, between 8 and 10 May

The Germans breakthrough at Sedan

Moves westward in the direction of the River Sambre

Rommel crosses the River Scarpe

Rommels 7th Panzer Div crosses the River Somme

Rommels 7th Panzer Div crosses the River Seine

Rommels 7th Panzer Div reaches St Valery

Meets de Gaulle & informs him that he is preparing an armistice with the Germans

Hitler issues directive 18 for Operation Felix, the invasion of Gibraltar

Begins preparations for an anticipated German invasion of Britain

Believes air superiority was "not enough". Donitz later stated, "we possessed neither control of the air or the sea; nor were we in any position to gain it"

Rejects the Navys proposals for carrying the Army as "suicide"

Plans for the defeat of Britai at the Fuhrer Conference

Says preparations for invasion should begin immediately. Issues a directive saying a landing in England is possible

Hopes news of the preparations of invasion will frighten Britain into peace negotiations

Issues "Directive No. 16; On the Preparation of a Landing Operation against England"

Issues instructions to prepare for an invasion of Britain

The OKW issues a command saying the earliest date for sailing will be Twentieth Sept. Issues a directive with the decision to invade England be taken by 11th September

Hitler postpones his order for invasion from 11th Sept to 14th Sept

Raeder advises Hitler that there is not enough air cover for an invasion of Britain

Hitler orders ships in ports to be disperesed to avoid further loss. Hitler orders further assembly of the invasion fleet to cease

Hitler calls off the invasion until the Spring

Raeder advises British invasion as a last resort to force Britain to sue for peace

Raeder believes that air superiority might make a successful landing possible although it would be a risky operation and required "absolute mastery over the Channel by our air forces"

Raeder advises Hitler that there is not enough air cover for an invasion of Britain

Given command of operations to invade England, subject to victory in the air

The Battle of Greece becomes a continuation of the Greco-Italian War

Metaxas rejected the ultimatum (the refusal is commemorated as Ohi Day, a national holiday in Greece), but even before its expiration, Italian troops had invaded Greece through Albania. Italian Ambassador Emmanuel Grazzi presents Metaxas with a three-hour ultimatum, in which he demands free passage for troops to occupy unspecified "strategic sites" within Greek territory

The Fuhrer orders his Army General Staff to prepare for an invasion of Northern Greece via Romania and Bulgaria. Hitler's plans for this campaign are incorporated into a master plan aimed at depriving the British of their Mediterranean bases. Hitler intervened on November 4, 1940, four days after the British took both Crete and Lemnos

The German Armed Forces High Command issued Directive No. 18, in which they scheduled simultaneous operations against Gibraltar and Greece for the following January. Hitler issues directive 18 for Operation Marita, the invasion of Greece

The Armed Forces High Command issued Directive No. 20 on December 13, 1940, the document outlines the Greek campaign under the code designation, "Operation Marita". Orders 24 divisions to assemble in Rumania & advance on Greece through Bulgaria

The Battle of Greece becomes a continuation of the Greco-Italian War

Mussolini and his closest advisers finalise their decision to invade Greece

Mussolini decides to proceed with the planned invasion of Greece despite German reservations about widening the Balkan war.

Metaxas rejects the Italian ultimatum (commemorated as Ohi Day, a national holiday in Greece)

The failed invasion attempt diverts German divisions from the Russian front

During the Battle of Elaia-Kalamas the Italians fought their way across the Thyamis (Kalamas) river, but were then forced to a halt

Hitler intervened on November 4, 1940, four days after the British took both Crete and Lemnos

Within weeks the Italians are driven out of Greece and Greek forces pushed on to occupy much of southern Albania

Japan completes the invasion of northern French Indochina

After the fall of France Japan stations troops north Indo

Italian dictator Benito Mussolini declares war. Immediately Wilson's forces invade Libya

Wilson's advance is reversed when France sought an armistice and the Italians where able to move their forces from the Tunisian border in the West and reinforce with 4 divisions those that opposed Wilson in the East

Wilson oversaw the first stages of the campaign during which the British Army secured its first field victories of the war and advanced to the border with Libya

1st day of Fall Gelb, German forces occupy Luxembourg

Commands the army group advancing through the Netherlands and Belgium.

Commands 28 Divisions from the North Sea to Aix-la-Chapelle

The Dutch sign the document of capitulation

Queen Wilhelmina establishes a Government in exile in Britain

Begins the French advance into Holland as part of Gamelins Plan D

1st day of Operation Yellow, the military occupation of The Netherlands & Belgium

Army Group B launches it's feint offensive during into The Netherlands and Belgium

The Dutch sign the document of capitulation

An invasion is launched to "safeguard neutrality". Ambassadors of The Netherlands & Belgium are summoned & told troops will invade

Leaves the Hague-Amsterdam redoubt. Asks the British to send extra fighters to defend Holland but is turned down

General Winckelmann capitulates

Commander of British forces during the Norwegian campaign

Final day of the evacuation of the British forces from Norway

Calls off mining Norwegian waters, might effect neutrals such as the USA & Sweden

The Allied Expeditionary Force lands at Namsos

The Allied Expeditionary Force lands at Andalsnes

General Mackesy is forced to call off the pincer assault on Trondheim

British Forces are withdrawn from Andalsnes

British Forces are withdrawn from Namsos

Wins support of the war Cabinet & the Allied supreme war Council to mine Norway

Soldiers in the British Army land at Namsos in Norway

The Germans invade Norway, British intervention is too late

Leads a German invasion force

Rejects a German ultimatum

Taken aboard the Glasgow & conveyed to the new provisional capital at Tromso

Hitler orders comprehenisive plans be made for the invasion of Norway

The Cossack seizes the Altmark off Norway, increases will to invade Norway

With operation "Weserubung" Germany occupies Denmark and Norway

Germany launches Operation Weserubung and German forces land at Narvik to secure the northern ore route.

The Germans occupy Oslo

Launches torpedoes at Admiral Hipper to protect Britsh troops

2 panzer & 10 infantry divisions move into Poland to secure Romanian oil fields

Bulgaria joins the Tripartite Pact

2 panzer & 10 infantry divisions move into Poland to secure Romanian oil fields

Brauchitschs advice to attack Moscow directly is rejected by Hitler

Originally intended to last 5 months. Announces Russian invasion plans to his military commanders

Sets Spring 1941 for an invasion of Russia which should last no longer than 5 months

A memo is issued to increase the Army from 143 to 180 Divisions

Army Groups A, B & C are moved to the Eastern Front

Hitler received military plans for the invasion, and approved them all, with the start scheduled for May 1941

Hitler signed War Directive No. 21 to the German High Command for an operation now codenamed "Operation Barbarossa" stating: "The German Wehrmacht must be prepared to crush Soviet Russia in a quick campaign". All preparations for the invasion of Russia are to be completed by 15th May 1941

Involved in planning the invasion of Russia

Participates from the beginning of operation Barbarossa

Crosses into Russia

Drives Soviet Divisions back to the Dnieper

Italy commences the occupation of British Somaliland

Italy completes the occupation of British Somaliland

Germany starts planning the invasion of Switzerland, the day France surrendered

After the Second Armistice at Compiegne in June 1940, the Reich Interior Ministry produced a memorandum on the annexation of a strip of eastern France from the mouth of the Somme to Lake Geneva, which was to be reserved for post-war German colonization.[

The plan plan to invade Switzerland continued to undergo revision until October, when Twelfth Army submitted its fourth draft, now called "Operation Tannenbaum". Although the Wehrmacht feigned moves toward Switzerland in its offensives, it never attempted to invade. After D-Day, the operation was put on hold and Switzerland remained neutral for the duration of the war

Captain Otto Wilhelm von Menges in OKH submitted a draft plan for the invasion

Continues invasion precautions as the immediate German landing threat declines.

Appointed Head of the The Imperial Rule Assistance Association

The War Cabinet debates action against German iron ore supplies moving through Narvik.

Chatfield considers whether naval mining and a Narvik operation can be justified by Allied strategic needs.

Argues that German iron ore shipments through Narvik should be disrupted.

Churchill argues that mining Norwegian waters would disrupt German iron ore shipments through Narvik.

Ironside reviews the military implications of a possible Allied landing at Narvik to cut Germany's ore supply

Pound advises on the naval risks of mining Norwegian waters and operating near Narvik.

Halifax weighs diplomatic risks of violating Norwegian neutrality against the need to restrict German ore imports.

Metaxas rejects Italy's ultimatum and Greece enters the Second World War.

Responds as Mussolini brings Italy into the war.

Nearly seven thousand people are sent to unoccupied France.

Jodl coordinates army, navy and air-force planning for the Scandinavian operation.

Directs Jud Suss, a notorious antisemitic Nazi propaganda film.

The Kanalkampf comprises a series of running fights over convoys in the English Channel launched partly because Kesselring and Sperrle were not sure about what else to do, and partly because it gives German aircrews some training and a chance to probe the British defences

The Lahore Resolution is adopted, its principles form the foundation for Pakistans first constitution

The Lahore Resolution is adopted, its principles form the foundation for Pakistans first constitution

Brings the German naval force into Narvik during the invasion.

Bonte commands the German destroyer force carrying mountain troops into Narvik at the start of Operation Weserubung.

Congress agrees to lend 50 destroyers to Britain in return for 99 yr naval base leases

Burke-Wadsworth Bill, passed to provide for limited conscription

Appeals for American help as Britain's financial resources are strained.

Congress agrees to lend 50 destroyers to Britain in return for 99 yr nave base leases

Appointed Lieutenant General

Appointed Lieutenant General

Broadcasts the appeal for volunteers to form the Local Defence Volunteers

Foundation of the Local Defence Volunteers, later Home Guard

Calls for volunteers to form the LDV, within 24 hours 250,000 enrol

Responds after heavy bombing and fires across the City of London.

Appointed Lord Chancellor

Given 11 Downing St as part of his appointment as Lord President

Kesselring's air fleet supports German armies attacking Allied positions across Belgium and Flanders.

The Luftwaffe begin to systematically bomb London, the blitz

The Luftwaffe diverts its forces from destroying the RAF to bombing London

Initial Luftwaffe estimates are that it will take four days to defeat the RAF Fighter Command in southern England

Luftwaffe operations target radar stations and Fighter Command airfields.

"Dunkirk is to be left to the Luftwaffe"

A series of Luftwaffe attacks beginning on 13 August 1940 known as Operation Eagle Attack (Unternehmen Adlerangriff) set to begin on Adlertag ("Eagle Day")

The Luftwaffe cannot gain permanent air control but sporadic night raids continue

The Luftwaffe use 1,000 bombers to bomb London

The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe

The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe

Halts his forces behind Dunkirk to allow the Luftwaffe the finishing blow

The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe

The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe

Operation, Fall Rot (Case Red), German forces outflank the Maginot Line

The Maginot Line is penetrated at Saarbrucken

The assault on the Maginot Line begins

Appointed Major General

Appointed Major General

Appointed Commander of the 7th Panzer Division with the rank of Major General

Responds to the bombing of Manchester during the winter Blitz.

Launches a attacks against the Mannerheim Line, Finlands main line of defence

Uses the Manstein Plan to enter the Ardennes, cross the Meuse & reach the Channel

Adopts the Manstein Plan under which Army Group A crosses the Meuse

Leading panzer divisions reach the Channel near Abbeville

The Panzer Divisions halt on Hitler's orders enabling British troops to escape to Dunkirk

Appointed Marshal

Appointed Marshal

Awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, 1st divisional commander so honoured

Reviews British commitments in Egypt Greece and the Mediterranean.

Meets de Gaulle & greets him with the words "Lhomme du destin"

Franco meets Hitler at Hendaye but declines to enter the war

Franco meets Hitler at Hendaye but Franco declines to enter the war

Ciano, Mussolini & Htler meet on the Brenner Pass

Orders action against French naval forces to deny them to Germany.

Explains the attack on the French fleet to Parliament.

Oversees operations seeking rapid control of Maastricht and nearby crossings.

Serves in the Royal Artillery during the Second World War.

Calls off mining Norwegian waters, might effect neutrals such as the USA & Sweden

Wins support of the war Cabinet & the Allied supreme war Council to mine Norway

Appointed Minister of Air & Civil Aviation

Appointed Minister of Aircraft

Appointed Minister for Economic Warfare

Appointed Minister of the Interior, March-July

Appointed Minister of Labour & National Service

Appointed Minister for Shipping

Appointed Minister of Supply

Appointed Minister for Transport

Appointed Minister without portfolio

Joins Churchill’s wartime coalition as Minister without Portfolio and a member of the War Cabinet.

Directs major American radar research at MIT.

Helps establish the laboratory that develops wartime microwave radar.

Addresses the Commons on mobilisation of national resources for the war effort.

Appointed to co-ordinate the operations of the BEF & Belgian Army

Signs a decree providing for the fortification of the Canary Islands

Draws up a memo for armoured units to counter German invasion of Holland & Belgium

Arranges transportation of 500,000 French soldiers to continue the war in north Africa

The 3rd Division is stationed to defend the coast around Brighton

Sets up a Divisional HQ near Steyning

Burke-Wadsworth Bill, passed to provide for limited conscription

Commands Army Group A & has tactical Command over Army Group D

Molotov has discussions with the German High Command

Embarks mountain troops on destroyers bound for Narvik.

Carton de Wiart commands British forces landed at Namsos to threaten German-held Trondheim.

French troops deploy around Namsos as part of the Allied attempt to retake Trondheim.

Supports northern operations through Norwegian air activity around Bardufoss.

Plans the final Allied attack while evacuation orders are kept secret.

Takes command of reorganised British land forces in northern Norway.

Auchinleck takes command of reorganised British land forces in the Narvik area.

Receives news that Allied forces will leave northern Norway.

Works on evacuation planning after the campaign in France worsens.

Supports the Allied expedition being assembled around Harstad.

Commands British land forces sent to invest Narvik.

Mackesy leads the British force sent to invest Narvik after German troops seize the port.

Supports wider Allied planning for intervention in Scandinavia.

Coordinates Norwegian pressure on Dietl's isolated mountain troops.

Fraser's 24th Guards Brigade forms part of Rupertforce during the Allied build-up around Narvik.

Valentini commands Chasseurs Alpins battalions deployed with the French expeditionary force near Narvik.

The War Cabinet continues planning for a possible Allied landing at Narvik.

Continues planning for possible Allied landings linked to Narvik.

Examines military requirements for an Allied expedition toward Narvik.

Participates in Allied plans for Norway and Narvik after becoming premier.

War Cabinet reviews possible action against German iron ore moving through Narvik.

Uses the survival of Dietl's force as a German propaganda success.

Antonescu proclaims a National Legionary State with the Iron Guard.

Introduces national mobilization while initially limiting overseas conscription.

Becomes a central leader of the reorganized Afrikaner nationalist opposition.

Calls off mining Norwegian waters, might effect neutrals such as the USA & Sweden

Winston Churchill ordered that the French Navy (Marine Nationale) should either join forces with the British Royal Navy or be neutralised in some way, to prevent the ships from falling into German or Italian hands

Although the Wehrmacht feigned moves toward Switzerland in its offensives, it never attempted to invade. After D-Day, the operation was put on hold and Switzerland remained neutral for the duration of the war

Belgium declares its neutrality

Confirms Russias neutrality

An invasion is launched to "safeguard neutrality"

Responds to German bombing raids on British cities and airfields.

Persuades ministers to continue fighting rather than seek terms.

Opens a counter-offensive threatening Tripoli, the fascist capital in north Africa

Begins organising Norwegian resistance in northern Norway.

Fleischer directs Norwegian forces in northern Norway while the Allied Narvik campaign develops.

Norwegian leaders are informed that Allied evacuation from Narvik is planned.

Defends naval operations as the Norway campaign develops.

Jodl participates in high-level decisions as German forces face uncertainty during the Norwegian campaign.

Defends the Admiralty during parliamentary criticism of the Norway campaign.

Jodl, Warlimont and Jeschonnek discuss operational possibilities involving Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands.

German control of Norway is secured after the campaign ends.

Supports seizing Norwegian ports before the Allies can cut the ore route.

Mainland Norwegian forces surrender after Allied evacuation, while Haakon VII continues the government in exile.

Norwegian forces surrender after the Allied evacuation from northern Norway.

Presses naval plans to mine Norwegian waters and interrupt ore traffic.

Norwegian forces are left with little hope after Allied evacuation begins.

Hitler gives the Luftwaffes Commander in Chief, Reichsmarschall (Empire Marshal) Hermann Goring and the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (High Command of the Air Force) a (Directive No. 17) to launch the air assault

Army Group D occupies France after A, B & C are moved to the Eastern Front

Goring had promised Hitler that Adlertag and Adlerangriff would achieve the results required within days, or at worst weeks. It had meant to be the beginning of the end of RAF Fighter Command, but Adlertag and the following operations failed to destroy the RAF, or gain the necessary local air superiority. As a result, Operation Sea Lion was postponed indefinitely

Hitler gives the Luftwaffes Commander in Chief, Reichsmarschall (Empire Marshal) Hermann Goring and the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (High Command of the Air Force) a (Directive No. 17) to launch the air assault

Eventually, it was carried out on 13 August 1940. Goring had promised Hitler that Adlertag and Adlerangriff would achieve the results required within days, or at worst weeks.

It had meant to be the beginning of the end of RAF Fighter Command, but Adlertag and the following operations failed to destroy the RAF, or gain the necessary local air superiority. As a result, Operation Sea Lion was postponed indefinitely

The essential target was RAF Fighter Command. The services destruction would deny the British their air superiority asset. Throughout July and early August, the Germans made preparations for Adlertag. The date of the assault was postponed several times because of bad weather.

A series of Luftwaffe attacks beginning on 13 August 1940 known as Operation Eagle Attack (Unternehmen Adlerangriff) set to begin on Adlertag ("Eagle Day")

Prepares British land forces for withdrawal from the Narvik area.

Manages withdrawal arrangements while maintaining pressure on German forces.

Oversees withdrawal of British land forces during the evacuation.

Receives notice that French troops will withdraw after the planned Narvik attack.

French mountain troops help recapture Narvik before withdrawal begins.

Withdraws French forces after their role in the recapture of Narvik.

Prepares the Polish Highland Brigade for evacuation after operations around Narvik.

Withdraws the Polish Highland Brigade from Narvik after the Allied victory.

Receives orders to prepare evacuation while the Allied attack on Narvik continues.

Coordinates naval arrangements for removing Allied troops from Narvik.

Directs evacuation of Allied forces from the Narvik area.

Directs evacuation of Allied troops and equipment from the Narvik area.

Churchill's government authorises the evacuation of Allied forces from Narvik.

Authorises evacuation of Allied forces from northern Norway as the battle in France worsens.

Receives news of Narvik's recapture while evacuation plans remain in force.

Continues evacuation arrangements for Allied forces in northern Norway.

Cunningham helps direct naval evacuation movements as Allied forces withdraw from northern Norway.

Withdraws from Narvik as Allied troops take the town.

Reoccupies Narvik after Allied forces complete their withdrawal.

Works on the military implications of evacuating Allied forces from Narvik.

Continues the Narvik offensive despite Allied plans to evacuate northern Norway.

Norwegian forces enter Narvik before Allied evacuation removes their support.

Faces the collapse of the Narvik position after Allied evacuation begins.

Is informed that Allied troops will evacuate northern Norway after the Narvik victory.

Receives notice that Allied support around Narvik will be withdrawn.

Authorises evacuation of Allied forces from northern Norway.

The XIX Corps is expanded for the invasion of Russia

Originally intended to last 5 months. Announces Russian invasion plans to his military commanders

Sets Spring 1941 for an invasion of Russia which should last no longer than 5 months

A memo is issued to increase the Army from 143 to 180 Divisions

Army Groups A, B & C, are moved to the Eastern Front

Issues Directive 21 finalizing orders for the invasion of Russia. Hitler signed War Directive No. 21 to the German High Command for an operation now codenamed "Operation Barbarossa" stating: "The German Wehrmacht must be prepared to crush Soviet Russia in a quick campaign". All preparations for the invasion of Russia are to be completed by 15th May 1941

The operation was named after Emperor Frederick Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire, a leader of the 3rd Crusade in the 12th century

Involved in planning the invasion of Russia

Participates from the beginning of operation Barbarossa

Crosses into Russia

Drives Soviet Divisions back to the Dnieper

1st British Commando raid on occupied France at Boulogne-sur-Mer, attackers failed to achieve any of their objectives

Authorises offensive action against Italian forces in Egypt.

Launches Operation Compass against Italian positions in Egypt, helping remove the immediate Axis threat to the Suez Canal.

Wilson launches Operation Compass, the strategy is outstandingly successful and very quickly the Italian forces are cut in half

Orders the Admiralty to round up shipping in order to evacuate the BEF

Authorises evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk.

"We shall fight on the beaches...... we shall never surrender"

The British, although besieged, had been spared from annihilation when Operation Dynamo evacuated 300,000 troops from Dunkirk

Orders Guderains tanks to make no further advance, allowing the evacuation of the BEF

The evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk begins

The British Royal Navy evacuates 300,000 from Dunkirk

Operational control is delegated to Ramsay

It is planned to evacuate 10,000 from Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer & Dunkirk every 24 hrs

Commands the evacuation from Dunkirk, operates from Dover. A conference considers "emergency evacuation across the Channel of very large forces"

Puts evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from North West France into action

Secrecy is lifted when submission for large numbers of private vessels are allowed

Receives orders to withdraw the BEF to Dunkirk

The Operation begins on Adlertag ("Eagle Day") by German forces, elimination of British air cover had been set as one of the prerequisites for Sea Lion - the amphibious assault of Britain

The Operation begins on Adlertag ("Eagle Day") by German forces, elimination of British air cover had been set as one of the prerequisites for Sea Lion - the amphibious assault of Britain

Hitler orders Manstein's invasion plans to be carried out

1st day of Fall Gelb, German forces occupy Luxembourg

Army Group B launches it's feint offensive during into The Netherlands and Belgium

German armoured units push through the Ardennes to cut off and surround the Allied units that had advanced into Belgium

Launched to prevent the Allies Treaty obligations to defend Belgium

Operation Yellow is launched to lure the BEF out of France

Hitler orders Manstein's invasion plans to be carried out

Operation Fall Rot (Case Red) is began and German forces outflank the Maginot Line and push deeper into France

German forces occupy Paris unopposed

Leads German naval forces against Allied shipping during the evacuation.

Marschall leads German heavy ships in a sortie intended to disrupt the Allied evacuation from Norway.

Commands destroyers escorting ships during the evacuation period.

Rommel is ordered to accompany Hitler on the rest of his front-line tour

Hitler issues directive 18 for Operation Marita, the invasion of Greece

The Armed Forces High Command issued Directive No. 20 on December 13, 1940, the document outlines the Greek campaign under the code designation, "Operation Marita". Orders 24 divisions to assemble in Rumania & advance on Greece through Bulgaria. Hitler issues directive Operation Marita for the occupation of the Balkans

Authorises the failed Allied expedition against Dakar.

Hitler's staff present their plan for Operation Otto, the invasion of Russia

Announces plan to surround & the Red Army north & south of the Pripet marshes

Adolf Hitler postpones Operation Sea Lion

Visits Hitler, notes in his diary there was no talk about Operation Sea Lion

Believes air superiority was "not enough". Donitz later stated, "we possessed neither control of the air or the sea; nor were we in any position to gain it"

The Operation begins on Adlertag ("Eagle Day") by German forces, elimination of British air cover had been set as one of the prerequisites for Sea Lion - the amphibious assault of Britain. Initial Luftwaffe estimates are that it will take four days to defeat the RAF Fighter Command in southern England. Believing the RAF is broken Goering bombs London, 1,300 sorties are flown

Rejects the Navys proposals for carrying the Army to England as "suicide"

Plans for the defeat of Britain at the Fuhrer Conference

Says invasion should commence by mid August but the services revise this to 15th Sept

Sets the latest date for "Sea Lion" as 15th September 1941

Plans to land 90,000 men in the 1st 6 days of the invasion of Britain

Issues a directive for launching Operation Sea Lion

Says victory is dependent on vicory in the Air. Issues a directive for Naval & Army operations for the invasion of England

At the request of the Services the invasion of England is postponed to 21st September

Issues a directive with the decision to invade England be taken by 11th September

The 11th Septmber deadline is passed & the invasion of England is cancelled. Postpones Operation Sea Lion by 3 days to the 24th September

Postpones Operation Sea Lion awaiting orders to be issued September 17. Postpones Operation Sea Lion

Suspends operation Sea Lion scheduled for 27 September

Operation Sea Lion is postponed indefinitley

Invasion fleets in the Channel & North Sea are dispersed to prevent damage by the RAF

The British invasion forces are released. After pressure from the Army & the Navy calls off Operation Sea Lion until the Spring

Signs jointly with Hitler the directive for authorizing Operation Sea Lion

Kesselring is ordered to concentrate his forces in the Pas de Calais

Goering arrives at Kesselrings HQ to take command of Operation Sea Lion

Military chiefs meet to discuss the invasion of Britain but Raeder advises against

Sets 20-26 September as the earliest date on which the Navy can be ready

Raeder believes that air superiority might make a successful landing possible although it would be a risky operation and required "absolute mastery over the Channel by our air forces"

Says Germany does not enough air superiority over England to launch Sea Lion

Preparations are deferred to the Spring but only to keep pressure on the British. Operation Sea Lion is called off

Given command of operations to invade England, subject to victory in the air

Maintains invasion readiness while Germany threatens a cross-Channel landing.

The plan plan to invade Switzerland continued to undergo revision until October, when Twelfth Army submitted its fourth draft, now called "Operation Tannenbaum"

Bonte commands the destroyer group carrying Dietl's mountain troops to Narvik.

Responds to the German invasion of Norway and Denmark.

Dietl's mountain troops land at Narvik and seize the port during the opening German invasion.

Receives command of the German invasion of Norway.

Falkenhorst is given command of the ground forces for the planned invasion of Norway and Denmark.

Falkenhorst directs the wider Norwegian invasion as German forces attack Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Narvik.

With operation "Weserubung" Germany occupies Denmark and Norway

Hitler launches the invasion of Denmark and Norway to secure bases and protect the Swedish iron ore route.

Kaupisch commands German forces in Denmark as the invasion quickly forces Danish surrender.

Lutjens commands the distant cover force as German warships sail for Norway.

Raeder supports the plan to seize Norway before Allied forces can establish bases along the coast.

Warburton-Lee leads the Royal Navy destroyer attack against German forces at Narvik after the invasion begins.

Whitworth leads HMS Warspite and destroyers in the second naval attack on the German Narvik force.

Orders preparation of the German invasion of Denmark and Norway.

Jodl's OKW staff coordinates the opening of the invasions of Denmark and Norway.

Advocates mining Norwegian waters to force a German response.

Presses for mining Norwegian waters to disrupt the ore route from Narvik.

Churchill backs the Royal Navy mining operation intended to disrupt German access to Swedish iron ore.

Supreme War Council approves mining Norwegian waters and preparing Narvik occupation plans.

Backs approval to mine Norwegian waters and prepare Narvik operations.

Oversees the opening of mining operations off Norway.

The 6 Fliegerkorps of Luftflotte 2 & 3 begin the war in the west

Goering holds back the Army outside Dunkirk, Kesselring objects to this strategy

Leads right hand column of the 7th, "Ghost Division"

1st day, takes the high ground at Maspelt before moving on to the Espeler-Dorner line

The 7th Division crosses the Ourthe River

The 7th Rifle Regiment crosses the Maas between Houx & Dinant

Captures the Sambre Bridge at Berlimont & joins the 7th & 5th Panzers

Rommel reaches La Basee Canal but Hitler halts the Panzers advance on Dunkirk

The 7th cuts the main Lille-Armentieres Road

The Battle for Flanders is successfully concluded

The operation is redirected at the Weygand line protecting the heart of France

Captures Cherbourg, the last major operation carried out by the 7th in France in 1940

The Tripartite Pact is signed by Germany, Italy & Japan

Bulgaria joins the Tripartite Pact

Hungary joins the Tripartite Pact

Signs the Tripartite Pact with Germany

Signs the Tripartite Pact

Romania joins the Tripartite Pact

Slovakia joins the Tripartite Pact

Japan agrees peace with Russia in Berlin, after joining the Tripartite Pact

The Pope writes a letter to Hitler offering mediation for "a just & honorable peace"

After France's surrender peace negotiations take place in a railway carriage

Hitler makes his last plea in a speech in the Reichstsag for Britain to make peace

Orders Plan D in response to the German invasion of France

A failed assassination attempt on Trotsky when gunmen fire on his villa

Trotsky survived a raid on his home by Stalinist assassins led by GPU agent Iosif Grigulevich, Mexican painter and Stalinist David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Vittorio Vidale

Produces plutonium from uranium-derived neptunium.

Commands the Polish Highland Brigade assigned to the Narvik campaign.

Possesses 8 of 50 destroyers from America agreed under the "Lend-Lease" scheme

Serves as acting president from August 12, 1940 to June 27, 1942 due to the illness of President Ortiz, who did not resign until less than a month before his death

Appointed President of the Board of Trade, 1st term

Penaranda begins his constitutional presidency.

Appointed President of Czechoslovakia. Appointed President of Czech

Appointed President of Ecuador

Appointed President of Panama

Assumes power after Estigarribia dies in an aircraft crash.

Begins a one-year term as President of the Swiss Confederation.

Becomes Prime Minister after Neville Chamberlain resigns.

Becomes Prime Minister and Minister of Defence as Germany attacks the west.

Takes office as Prime Minister of Finland and forms a government in Helsinki.

Forms a government during the early stages of the Second World War.

Appointed Prime Minister of the French Government in Bordeaux

Appointed Prime Minister of the French Government in Bordeaux

Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 1st term

Churchill appoints Ernest Bevin as Minister of Labour

Appointed Prime Minister of Japan

Explains government arrangements for coordinating production and economic policy during the war.

Produces a detailed cryptanalytic reference manual on Naval Enigma known at Bletchley Park as Profs Book.

Witzleben is promoted to Field Marshal after the victory over France

Jodl is promoted from Generalmajor directly to General der Artillerie.

Advances to wartime lieutenant while serving in military intelligence.

Quisling announces a coup by radio while German forces are invading Norway.

Praises Fighter Command while radar remains vital to defence.

Sets up raiding forces to keep German troops tied down in occupied countries

Norwegian forces join Allied troops in retaking Narvik.

Fleischer coordinates Norwegian, French, Polish and British troops that recapture Narvik from Dietl's force.

Receives a telegram from Roosevelt saying the US will not enter the war

Recognizes Charles de Gaulle as the leader of the Free French

Announces plan to surround & the Red Army north & south of the Pripet marshes

Appointed Reich Commissioner for Norway

Appointed Reich Commissioner for Norway

Appointed Reich Commissioner for Norway

Requests Roosevelt to enter the war to save France

Resigns after the Russian invasion of Finland

Daladier resigns after the Russian invasion of Finland. Daladier fails to unite Parliament or the people behind his mobilization for the "phony war"

Sends a letter to Chamberlain saying Labour will not serve under Chamberlain

Labour will not serve in a Government with Chamberlain in. Attlee informs Chamberlain saying Labour will serve in the Government without him

After the failure of appeasement & there is a need for strong Government

Chamberlain prefers Halifax as PM but he cannot run the Government from the Lords

Resigns after transferring the Government to Bordeaux, replaced by Petain

The Belgian Army lays down its arms, forcing Allied forces in Belgium to withdraw.

Belgium's capitulation exposes Montgomery's division and other Allied troops to further German pressure and retreat.

Britain refuses to support a separate French peace and commits to continuing the war.

The collapse of the French military position forces the government toward an armistice decision.

France enters armistice negotiations with Germany at Compiègne.

France moves closer to seeking an armistice, although Britain refuses to endorse a separate peace.

German terms are presented to the surrounded French force, leading toward its capitulation.

The French First Army ceases organised resistance and passes into German control.

The Netherlands ends organised military resistance to Germany.

Norwegian organised resistance ends and German occupation becomes established.

Reoccupies Narvik after Allied forces complete their withdrawal.

Dietl's troops reoccupy Narvik after Allied forces evacuate northern Norway.

Air Chief Marshal Charles Portal removes Dowding from his post and replaces him with Sholto Douglas

Helps establish the Reunited National Party after the wartime split.

French troops cross Rombaksfjord during the final assault.

Presses Roosevelt for greater American material aid.

Italy commences the occupation of British Somaliland

Italy completes the occupation of British Somaliland

A puupet Japanese Government is established in Japan

Forms a pro-German Government after the Invasion of Norway

Forms a pro-German Government after the Invasion of Norway

Commands naval and expeditionary forces assembling for operations near Narvik.

Commands Scharnhorst during the sinking of HMS Glorious.

Michael returns to the throne after Carol II's abdication.

Completes the withdrawal of II Corps as British forces evacuate from Dunkirk.

Writes again to President Roosevelt urging stronger attention to uranium research developments.

Appointed Secretary of State for Scotland

Appointed Secretary of State for Air

Appointed Minister for Agriculture

Appointed Minister of Defence

Appointed Secretary for War, May-December

Appointed Secretary for War, May-December

Rommel's rapid advance helps split Allied forces and threatens communications supporting troops in Flanders.

Orders the Cossack Captain to liberate Britsh prisoners from the Altmark off Norway. British prisoners are freed without loss of British life, the crew of the Altmark flee

1st British Commando raid on occupied France at Boulogne-sur-Mer, attackers failed to achieve any of their objectives

A "Fuhrer order" is issued from Rundstedts HQ forbidding the left to cross the Aa

Rommels 7th Panzer Div reaches the Cotentin Peninsular to capture Cherbourg

Rommels 7th Panzer Div enters Cherbourg

Churchill decides to abandon the attempt to capture the port of Dakar

Takes over the defense of Leningrad

Prepares to sever Guderians supply lines at Montcornet but is beaten back

The Germans occupy Oslo

Informed Touchon will try to create a defensive line outside Paris

The Germans capture Paris

Delays the Germans at Rethel on the Aisne

Opens a counter-offensive threatening Tripoli, captital of fascist north Africa

General Mackesy is forced to call off the pincer assault on Trondheim

Signs the Tripartite Pact

Signs the Tripartite Pact with Germany

Woldag commands the cruiser Blucher when Norwegian guns and torpedoes sink the ship in Oslofjord.

DOyly-Hughes commands HMS Glorious when German battlecruisers sink the carrier during Operation Juno.

Welding-Olsen is killed when the patrol boat Pol III challenges German invasion ships approaching Oslofjord.

After several months of "Drole de Guerre" (Phoney war, Sitzkrieg) the Germans finally attack in the west

Suports the German 6th Army in Flanders

Churchill invites Hugh Dalton to establish the Special Operations Executive

Forms the Special Operations Executive, supports resistance in German occupied Europe

Churchill invites Hugh Dalton to establish the Special Operations Executive

Appointed Solicitor General

Approves creation of a body to support resistance in occupied Europe.

Speaks at the Guildhall praising the warships opposing the Graf Spee

In the Commons says "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears & sweat"

"We shall fight on the beaches...... we shall never surrender"

Issues an order to invade Norway

Chamberlain's government pauses Narvik planning after Finland accepts peace with the Soviet Union.

Narvik plans pause after Finland accepts peace with the Soviet Union.

Parliament grants Winston Churchill and his Government wide emergency powers

Commands Italian forces in Libya as Rome plans operations threatening Egypt and the Suez Canal.

Declares war on Britain and France, making Egypt and the Suez Canal a strategic objective for Italian forces in Libya.

Rejects the Navys proposals for carrying the Army to England as "suicide". Rejects the Navys proposals for carrying the Army as "suicide"

Takes part in cabinet discussions connected with the council meeting.

Travels with Churchill for the Paris council meeting.

Considers intervention in Scandinavia during the Winter War crisis.

The council considers intervention in Norway including a landing at Narvik

Approves Operation Wilfred and related Norwegian planning.

The council agrees to mine Norwegian waters and prepare Narvik occupation plans.

Attends the council as Allied leaders discuss control of Swedish iron ore routes.

Attends the council meeting considering aid to Finland against Soviet Russia.

Supports measures affecting Norway and Swedish iron ore traffic.

Supports Allied consideration of Norway and Swedish iron ore routes.

Attends a crisis meeting after the German breakthrough at Sedan.

Flies to Paris to discuss the collapsing French front.

Attends another crisis meeting as German forces reach the Channel.

Returns to Paris as German forces approach the Channel.

Meets Reynaud as Dunkirk and possible Italian mediation are discussed.

Attends the council as Allied strategy shifts during the Dunkirk evacuation.

Announces evacuation figures from Dunkirk during a Supreme War Council meeting.

Meets the Allied Supreme War Council and declares Britain will fight on.

Promises to fight on despite the worsening military position.

Attends as Allied leaders discuss evacuation from Norway and France.

Discusses Dunkirk and Norway with French leaders.

Discusses Narvik and Dunkirk with French leaders.

Meets French leaders as the French front collapses.

Urges Reynaud's government to continue fighting.

Presses for stronger Allied action in Scandinavia.

Accompanies Churchill during the crisis meeting in Paris.

Accompanies Churchill during the Paris crisis meeting.

Participates in British deliberations on France and Italy.

Participates in discussions on Allied Scandinavian intervention.

Explains the German breakthrough and the failure of French defences.

His army's situation drives urgent Allied discussions.

Accompanies Churchill and records strategic discussions.

Assists Churchill at the council meeting as France nears collapse.

Attends as air reinforcements for France are debated.

Participates in crisis discussions as the French position worsens.

Questions prospects as France approaches military collapse.

Takes part in Allied planning shortly after becoming premier.

Warns Churchill that the French front is collapsing.

Warns Britain of French pressure for an armistice.

Meets Churchill as Dunkirk evacuation and Italy are discussed.

Warns against any separate French surrender during discussions.

Represents French air concerns as Allied resources are debated.

Presents plans after replacing Gamelin as commander in chief.

Reviews the military situation with Churchill and Reynaud.

Discusses possible Italian mediation during the Dunkirk crisis.

Meets Churchill as Narvik success is overshadowed by events in France.

The King of the Belgians surrenders the Belgian Army to the Germans

After Belgium surrenders the 3rd Division is forced to retreat from Belgium

Promises the Allies will restore France after the war. Forbids France making a separate peace with Germany

Informed of the imminent collapse of France. Flies to Tours where the French Government is now based

The same railway carriage used to sign the Armistice in 1918. After France's surrender peace negotiations take place in a railway carriage

Churchill refuses to support a seperate French peace with Germany

Offers the French their terms of surrender

The French First Army surrenders

Holtermann surrenders Hegra Fortress after southern Norway collapses and further resistance becomes impossible.

Holland surrenders to Germany

Norway surrenders to Germany

Welcomes the Fleet Air Arm attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto.

Takes temporary command of II Corps during the final stages of the withdrawal to Dunkirk.

Leads the Italian Tenth Army, nearly 250,000, into Egypt

Faces the start of sustained German bombing of London.

Praises Fighter Command pilots in his speech on the Few.

Rebuilds 3rd Division after its return from France and restores training, equipment and organisation.

Conducts an organised withdrawal as Allied armies fall back from the Dyle position under German pressure.

Sends another letter to Roosevelt concerning the need for effective action on uranium research.

Brings radar knowledge and the cavity magnetron to America.

Supports technological cooperation with the United States.

Carries British radar secrets to the United States.

Transfers to the Intelligence Corps and begins wartime service focused on military intelligence and analysis.

Signs the Tripartite Pact

Japan makes an alliance with Russia & Germany

Bulgaria joins the Tripartite Pact

The Tripartite Pact is signed by Germany, Italy & Japan

Trotsky wrote a document known as "Trotskys Testament", in which he expressed his final thoughts and feelings for posterity

The plan plan to invade Switzerland continued to undergo revision until October, when Twelfth Army submitted its fourth draft, now called "Operation Tannenbaum"

Appointed Under Secretary of State for War

Appointed Under Secretary of State for War

Becomes a United States citizen while retaining Swiss citizenship.

Shows uranium-235 is responsible for slow-neutron fission.

Separates uranium-235 for early fission measurements.

Appointed Vice President of the Council

Appointed Vice Prime Minister of France after the collapse of France

Appointed Vice Prime Minister of France after the collapse of France

Appointed Vice Prime Minister in the Vichy Government of Marshal Philippe Petain

Appointed Vice Prime Minister in the Vichy Government of Marshal Philippe Petain

Appointed Vice Prime Minister in the Vichy Government of Marshal Philippe Petain

Japan captures Indo, with the agreement of the Vichy Government

Appointed Vice Prime Minister in the Vichy Government of Marshal Philippe Petain

Appointed Vice Prime Minister in the Vichy Government of Marshal Philippe Petain

Appointed Vice Prime Minister in the Vichy Government of Marshal Philippe Petain

Forms the Vichy Government & gives orders for the British to leave France

Part of the new Vichy Government

Appointed Delegate-General to the North African colonies

Wins a unanimous vote of confidence from the Commons for the new administration

Rejects the Japanese-sponsored collaborationist government established at Nanjing under Wang Jingwei and continues resistance from Chongqing.

Appointed Member of War Cabinet

Appointed Member of War Cabinet

Creates a smaller War Cabinet for rapid wartime decision making.

Appointed Member of War Cabinet

Rejects seeking peace terms through Italian mediation.

Reviews air defence shipping losses and imperial commitments.

Churchill appoints Eden Secretary of State for War in the new coalition government

Warns Parliament that Britain will fight on whatever happens.

The OKW (Oberkommando der Wehrmacht or "High Command of the Armed Forces") issues its plan

Although the Wehrmacht feigned moves toward Switzerland in its offensives, it never attempted to invade. After D-Day, the operation was put on hold and Switzerland remained neutral for the duration of the war

Hitler signed War Directive No. 21 to the German High Command for an operation now codenamed "Operation Barbarossa" stating: "The German Wehrmacht must be prepared to crush Soviet Russia in a quick campaign"

The Wehrmachtführungsamt develops into the Wehrmachtführungsstab, with Jodl remaining its chief.

Receives news of early British success against Italian forces.

Jodl signs or processes repeated postponement orders for the western offensive as weather and readiness delay the attack.

Paget evacuates British forces from Andalsnes after German pressure and air attacks make the position untenable.

Allied evacuation from Narvik is completed despite the earlier victory.

British and Allied forces complete withdrawal from Narvik during Operation Alphabet.

Withdraws German mountain troops from the town after Allied attack.

Dietl withdraws German mountain troops from Narvik after Allied forces retake the town.

Composed of First, 2nd & 10th Panzer divisions & an elite regiment "Grossdeutschland"

Birth of Alfredo James "Al" Pacino