1941 in History

Leads to a US mission visiting Britain in March for possible military bases. Decision code named ABC1 is made that places Germany's defeat as the principle Allied aim in the event of the USA declaring war

Abdicates in order to prevent a Russian invasion

Abdicates in order to prevent a Russian invasion

The Allies have occupied Tehran forcing the Shah to abdicate in favor of his son

Chosen as king after the death of Sisowath Monivong

Appointed Admiral of the Atlantic Fleet

Appointed Admiral of the Atlantic Fleet

The 1st British operation against the Afrika Korps, attempts to throw the Axis forces back from the Egyptian frontier

Panzer Group Africa is activated with Rommel in command, and command of the Afrika Korps SS turned over to Ludwig Cruwell

Panzer Group Africa is activated with Rommel in command, and command of the Afrika Korps SS turned over to Ludwig Cruwell

The OKW issues instructions for the Afrika Korps to defend North Africa

Rommel arrives in Tripoli as German forces begin reinforcing the failing Italian position in North Africa.

Lands the Afrika Korps in Libya to support the Italians

The Afrikakorps is based on Adolf Hitler's personal choice of Erwin Rommel as its Commander. Appointed Commander of the Afrika Korps

Rommel lands on African soil in Libya & takes over control of the Afrika Korps

Panzer Group Africa is activated with Rommel in command, and command of the Afrika Korps SS turned over to Ludwig Cruwell

Panzer Group Africa is activated with Rommel in command, and command of the Afrika Korps SS turned over to Ludwig Cruwell

The Panzer Group controls the Afrikakorps plus some additional German units that were sent to Africa, as well as two corps of Italian units. During the summer of 1941 OKW and OKH enlarge the command structure in Africa by creating a new headquarters called Panzer Group Africa (Panzer Group Africa)

The pact of the "United Nations" is signed in Washington by 26 nations, they commit themselve to not agree to any seperate peace with Germany or Japan

The pact of the "United Nations" is signed in Washington by 26 nations, they commit themselve to not agree to any seperate peace with Germany or Japan

Commands RAF Middle East air operations supporting the defence of Egypt and the Suez Canal.

Jodl initials Hitler's order preparing German intervention in support of operations connected with Greece and Albania.

Bulgaria joins the Tripartite Pact

US President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill sign the Atlantic Charter in Argentia Bay (Newfoundland), the charter establishes common wartime principals and emphasised the strength of Anglo-American alliance despite US neutrality

US President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill sign the Atlantic Charter in Argentia Bay (Newfoundland), the charter establishes common wartime principals and emphasised the strength of Anglo-American alliance despite US neutrality

US President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill sign the Atlantic Charter in Argentia Bay (Newfoundland), the charter establishes common wartime principals and emphasised the strength of Anglo-American alliance despite US neutrality

US President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill sign the Atlantic Charter in Argentia Bay (Newfoundland), the charter establishes common wartime principals and emphasised the strength of Anglo-American alliance despite US neutrality

Announce Bulgaria has joined the Axis powers

Bulgaria joins the Tripartite Pact

Churchill & Roosevelt meet for the 1st of their wartime meetings in Newfoundland

The Lend Lease Act provides for the US to lend Britain & her Allies war materials. SAends the Lend-Lease Bill to Congress

Yugoslavia signs the Tripartite Pact

Yugoslavia signs the Tripartite Pact

Agreement ABC-1 accepts the War & Navy Depts for planning when the US enters the war

Announces Australia has the USA as its major ally after British defeat at Singapore

His transport office becomes central to implementation.

Announces Australia has the USA as its major ally after British defeat at Singapore

Orders siezure of the French fleet at Toulon in violation of the Compiegene Armistice

1st day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the Army Group South consisting of 52 Divs

Informed that 3 groups of German spies had been caught inside the Russian border

Arrested by the British & held as a POW

Stalins son is captured. In line with Russian policy soldiers captured by Germans are treated as traitors

Nagumo concentrates the six-carrier strike force at Hitokappu Bay before its secret advance toward Hawaii.

Assigned leader of the Russia Committee, a Foreign Office post with no political influence that neutralized him

Joins conference discussions concerning munitions and wartime supply.

Represents British supply priorities during talks with American officials.

Czechoslovakia supports the Inter-Allied resolution on common principles.

The Czechoslovak government in exile adheres to the Atlantic Charter.

Meets Roosevelt at the Atlantic Conference in Newfoundland.

Seeks closer American support while Britain remains at war with Germany.

Hosts Roosevelt at the joint Sunday service aboard Prince of Wales.

Uses the ceremony to emphasize shared Anglo-American values.

Accepts a common statement despite concerns about imperial implications.

Accepts disarmament of aggressor nations after the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Accepts economic cooperation as part of the proposed postwar settlement.

Accepts opposition to territorial changes made without popular consent.

Accepts the goal of freedom from fear and want after Nazi defeat.

Agrees to principles supporting improved access to trade and raw materials.

Commits Britain to a principle of consent in territorial settlement.

Negotiates the wording of the joint declaration with Roosevelt.

Supports a peace allowing nations to live safely within their boundaries.

Supports reducing armaments under a wider system of security.

Cabinet acceptance allows the joint declaration to proceed.

Forwards the proposed declaration to the British War Cabinet.

Receives British Cabinet approval for the proposed charter.

Urges ministers not to raise unnecessary obstacles to the agreement.

US President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill sign the Atlantic Charter in Argentia Bay (Newfoundland), the charter establishes common wartime principals and emphasised the strength of Anglo-American alliance despite US neutrality

Concludes his Newfoundland meetings with Roosevelt.

Returns with a joint declaration linking Britain more closely to America.

Issues the Atlantic Charter jointly with President Roosevelt.

Presents common Anglo-American principles for war aims and postwar peace.

Free French representatives adhere to the Atlantic Charter principles.

His movement joins Allied support for the joint declaration.

Participates in military discussions with American chiefs.

Represents British Army planning during the Atlantic Conference.

Participates as Allied governments formally adhere to Atlantic Charter principles.

Supports the Inter-Allied resolution adopting the charter's common principles.

The Dutch government in exile adheres to Atlantic Charter principles.

The Netherlands joins the Allied resolution supporting the declaration.

Attends discussions concerning Anglo-American wartime cooperation and supply.

Supports coordination of American material assistance to Britain.

Participates in the conference as Roosevelt's close wartime adviser.

Supports Anglo-American coordination during the Newfoundland meetings.

Attends the Atlantic Conference as commander of the United States Atlantic Fleet.

Contributes to naval discussions surrounding Atlantic security and cooperation.

States Soviet policy during the Inter-Allied meeting in London.

The Soviet government joins the resolution adhering to Atlantic Charter principles.

Represents United States Army planning during talks with British chiefs.

Takes part in military discussions at the Atlantic Conference.

Discusses Atlantic strategy with senior United States naval officers.

Takes part in Anglo-American naval talks at the conference.

Begins the Atlantic Conference while the United States remains formally neutral.

Meets Churchill in Newfoundland to discuss war aims and the postwar order.

Attends a joint Sunday service aboard HMS Prince of Wales.

The service visibly demonstrates growing Anglo-American solidarity.

Links postwar security with social welfare and economic advancement.

Places rejection of territorial expansion among the charter's common principles.

Places unhindered maritime movement within the charter's international vision.

Promotes political self-determination within the charter's postwar vision.

Supports an eight-point framework for wartime aims and postwar peace.

Supports establishment of a wider permanent system of general security.

Supports freedom of the seas as a central postwar principle.

Supports international economic cooperation and improved labour standards.

Supports restoration of sovereign rights and self-government after Axis occupation.

Supports the principle that neither country seeks territorial aggrandizement.

The principle anticipates later work toward the United Nations.

Works with Churchill on a statement of common international principles.

Concludes the Atlantic Conference after four days of meetings.

Leaves Newfoundland with agreement on common principles and strategic cooperation.

Issues the joint declaration later known as the Atlantic Charter.

Publicly sets out eight common principles with Churchill.

US President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill sign the Atlantic Charter in Argentia Bay (Newfoundland), the charter establishes common wartime principals and emphasised the strength of Anglo-American alliance despite US neutrality

Poland joins the Inter-Allied resolution supporting the declaration.

The Polish government in exile adheres to Atlantic Charter principles.

Discusses Anglo-American maritime strategy with British naval leaders.

Participates in naval discussions during the Atlantic Conference.

Advises Roosevelt during political discussions with the British delegation.

Participates in the Atlantic Conference as the State Department representative.

Orders the construction of the Atlantic Wall, from Norway to the Spanish border

Complains to the OKH too many troops & resources are at the Russian & Med Fronts

Orders the construction of coastal defences in Northwest France

Kasumi commands the aircraft credited by later analysis with dropping the bomb that triggered USS Arizona's catastrophic magazine explosion.

The government removes many German and Italian nationals after British and Soviet pressure.

Jodl joins Hitler and Keitel in a detailed conference on preparations for Operation Barbarossa.

Marguerite Oswald purchased a modest frame house on Bartholomew Street, where the family lived while she attempted to support her children.

The operation is a failure & Wavell is replaced by Auchinleck. Launched to relieve Tobruk & break the Axis defenses on the Egypt border

A German counterattack forces the Allies the retreat

Begins work for the BBC Eastern Service.

Jodl attends the conference that decides on the attack on Yugoslavia and bombing of Belgrade without prior declaration of war.

For 3 days Belgrade ie ceaslesly bombed, it is razed to the ground killing 17,000

Starting on April 6, 1941, Axis armies invaded from all sides and the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) bombed Belgrade. Luftflotte Four of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), with a strength of seven Combat Formations (Kampfgruppen) had been committed to the campaign in the Balkans

Commands the bombing of Belgrade, 17,000 civilians are killed

Commands the bombing of Canea

Commands the bombing of Heraklion

The Japanese bomg Hong Kong

Germany declares war on the US & the US enters the war

A Navy Intelligence employee says Honolulu is a target

Leads the 1st wave of 183 planes to attack Pearl Harbour

Broadcasts warning messages but atmospheric conditions delay them by 10 hours

The Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor sinking or damaging 18 ships. The bombing of Pearl Harbour bring the US into World War II

The Japanese bomg Singapore

Interned for a few weeks, and transferred to the Soviet-Turkish border

Britain breaks off relations with Romania

Bristol suffers further heavy bombing during the Blitz.

Warns Russia of the danger of the German invasion. Addresses the Russian people as "brothers & sister"

A Memorial service is held at Westminster Abby for Baden-Powell

Athens falls to Axis forces after the Greek and British Commonwealth withdrawal from mainland Greece.

German forces enter Belgrade during the invasion whose planning Jodl helped coordinate at OKW.

Recaptures Benghazi from the Allies

Vilna & Kovoo are taken after the fall of Brest Litovsk during the German invasion of Russia

Takes Crete from the British with an airbourne assault

Germany captues Crete

Charged with carrying out operation Crusader to relieve Tobruk & re-capture Cyrenaica

Commands the Eighth Army which captures Cyrenaica from Rommel

Manstein captures Demyansk

Rommel occupies Derna

The British march into Diego Suarez in Madagascar after just 2 days fighting

Duenaburg is captured during the German invasion of Russia

Grodno is captured during the German invasion of Russia

Reinforced by the 1fifth panzer division recaptures Halfaya Pass

Japan accepts the surrender of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is surrendered to the Japanese

Sakai accepts the collapse of organized British resistance as Hong Kong surrenders on Christmas Day.

Leads the principal assault in the Japanese capture of Hong Kong

Surrenders Hong Kong to the Japanese

Captures Kalinin severing the Leningrad-Moscow railway line

The Russians capture the Kerch penisnsula. Hitler has General Count von Sponeck court-martialled

Kharkov is captured by the Germans during the invasion of Russia

Vilna & Kovoo are taken after the fall of Brest Litovsk during the German invasion of Russia

Leads the Free French & captures Kufra Libya

Captures Lozovaya & discovers a German camp with appalling conditions

Bocks AG centre troops capture Minsk

Leads the German capture of Rostov

Commences the capture of Rostov by leading "Armoured Battlegroup Langkeit"

The British surrender Singapore to Yamashita

Nehring personally leads the 18th Division in its capture of Skoping

Smolensk is captured, 300 km outside Moscow but the Germans have lost 250,000

The Allies have occupied Tehran forcing the Shah to abdicate in favor of his son

The British Army captures Tobruk

Commands the Eighth Army which captures Tobruk from Rommel

The British capture the port of Tobruk in Libya from the Italians

Manstein captures Torzhok

Vilna & Kovoo are taken after the fall of Brest Litovsk during the German invasion of Russia

Appointed Chairman of the recently formed State Defence Committee

Appointed Chief of Naval Operations

Appointed Chief of Staff of the Red Army

Appointed Chief of Staff of the Red Army

Laval is shot four times while reviewing the Legion des Volontaires Francais at Versailles, he survives his wounds and is returned to power in Vichy on April 18,1942

When the Soviet Union is invaded on 22 June 1941, the Comintern changed its position to one of active support for the Allies

When the Soviet Union is invaded on 22 June 1941, the Comintern changed its position to one of active support for the Allies

Heinrich Himmler tells H”ss that Hitler had given orders for the final solution"

Appointed Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander in Chief in Libya

Appointed Commander in Chief in Libya

Appointed Commander of the 25th Army

Appointed Commander of the 25th Army

Panzer Group Africa is activated with Rommel in command, and command of the Afrika Korps SS turned over to Ludwig Cruwell

Panzer Group Africa is activated with Rommel in command, and command of the Afrika Korps SS turned over to Ludwig Cruwell

Appointed Commander of the Afrika Korps

Appointed Commander of the Afrika Korps

Appointed Commander of Army Group A

Appointed Commander of Army Group A

Appointed Commander Army Group Centre

Appointed Commander of Army Group South

Appointed Commander of Army Group South

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army by Auchinleck

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army by Auchinleck

Appointed Commander of the Eleventh Army

Appointed Commander of the Armies in the Northwest Front

Appointed Commander of the Armies in the Northwest Front

Appointed Commander of the Pacific Fleet after the attack on Pearl Harbour

Appointed Commander of the Pacific Fleet after the attack on Pearl Harbour

Appointed Commander of XXXXI Panzer Corps

Appointed Commander of XXXXI Panzer Corps

Appointed Commanding General of the Second Armored Division at Fort Benning, Georgia

Appointed Commanding General of the Second Armored Division at Fort Benning, Georgia

Appointed Commander of South Eastern Army, a promotion

Appointed Commander of South Eastern Army, a promotion

Appointed Commander of the Desert Force

Appointed Commander of the Desert Force

Charged with carrying out operation Crusader to relieve Tobruk & re-capture Cyrenaica

Appointed Commander of military operations after the German Invasion of Russia

Takes over military operations after the German Invasion of Russia

Jodl contributes comments to planning connected with the criminal policy against captured Soviet political commissars.

Forms the Battle of Atlantic Committee

The decision to send a British Commonwealth expeditionary force is made

The decision to send a British Commonwealth expeditionary force is made

British Commonwealth forces continue their evacuation as Axis troops complete the conquest of mainland Greece.

Wilson is appointed to lead a Commonwealth expeditionary force of two infantry divisions and an armoured brigade to help Greece resist Italy and the subsequent German invasion in April 1941

Communist Party of Albania is founded and Hoxha emerges as party leader

Churchill travels to the US to discuss Anglo-American strategy and priorities with Roosevelt, the Arcadia conference formally endorses the Allies Germany First policy

Churchill travels to the US to discuss Anglo-American strategy and priorities with Roosevelt, the Arcadia conference formally endorses the Allies Germany First policy

The Allies agree to set up the East Asia Command. The Allies agree to recognize de Gaulles Committee for National Liberation of France. 13 Aug-23 August, the Allies agree to mount an invasion called "Overlord" in May 44

The Allies 1st make plans for operation Overlord

Declares, "When Germany is defeated, the collapse of Italy & Japan will follow"

Authorizes the employment of Russian prisoners in the German Army. All "racial Germans" are given German citizenship & made subject to the draft

The Selective Service Act requires all men aged 18-64 register, men aged 20-44 are liable to conscription

The Vichy French forces in Syria surrender to the Allied forces

The Russians begin their counter-attack

Overthrown in a Coup by Air Force officers which was supported by most of the Army

Orders invasion after a pro-Allied coup in Belgrade. Delays invasion by 4 weeks to invade Yugoslavia after an Allied coup in Belgrade

Summons chiefs to the Chancellery saying the Belgrade coup endangered Barbarossa. Delayed up to 4 weeks so Yugoslavia can be invaded after a pro-Allied coup in Belgrade

A coup is launched in Yugoslavia by anti-Prince Paul, Serbian military officers, and the Regent was replaced on the throne by King Peter II of Yugoslavia.

Hitler takes the Yugoslav coup as a personal insult, and was so angered that he was determined "without waiting for possible declarations of loyalty of the new Government to destroy Yugoslavia militarily and as a nation".

Summons chiefs to the Chancellery saying the Belgrade coup endangered Barbarossa.

After the unexpected March 27 coup against the Yugoslav Government, orders for the future campaign in Yugoslavia are drafted, as well as changes to the plan for the attack on Greece

Ousted as the ruler of Iraq for being pro-British

Ousts Abd Al-Allah Ibn Ali Ibn as the ruler of Iraq for being pro-British

"The Seven" announce a coup in Iraq, Rashid Ali al-Kaylani is made head of the Government

The Anglo War of 1941, also known as the Rashid Ali Coup, is a relatively small, but very significant part of the Second World War

Rashid Ali, seizes power in Baghdad and refuses British requests to allow British military forces to enter Iraq

The Rashid Ali Al-Gaylani coup leads to a British invasion of Iraq

The Regency is overthrown by pro-Allied groups to resist German invasion. A coup is launched by anti-Prince Paul, Serbian military officers, and the Regent was replaced on the throne by King Peter II of Yugoslavia

Assumes power after a military coup in Belggrade

Hitler has General Count von Sponeck court-martialled

Jodl's staff participates in OKW coordination as German airborne forces attack Crete.

Postpones Operation Crusader 1 week to enable the South Africa Division more training

Operation Crusader, to relieve, Tobruk is launched

Charged with carrying out operation Crusader to relieve Tobruk & re-capture Cyrenaica

The communist newspaper, "The Daily Worker" is banned in London

Reaches the frontier causing great confusion among the Allied Eighth Army. Breaks out from Tobruk to the Egyptiann border

Maria Callas makes her debut as Tosca

Britain & the US state all countries occupied by Germany should become independent

Britain declares war on Japan

Britain, Australia & the USA declare war on Japan

Britain, Australia & the USA declare war on Japan

Germany declares war on Russia shortly after the invasion

Announces to a Greater German Reichstag he had declared war on the US

Schulenberg delivers Germany's declaration of war to Molotov

Declares war on Russia

The USA declares War on Japan

Romania declares war on the USA

The USA declares war on Germany

Schulenberg delivers Germany's declaration of war to Molotov

Germany declares war on Russia shortly after the invasion

Declares loyalty to Hitler but refuses to enter the war

Appointed Member of recently formed State Defence Committee

Appointed Member of recently formed State Defence Committee

Appointed Member of recently formed State Defence Committee

Takes command of the new Eighth Army, formed to defend Egypt and restore the western desert front before the Suez Canal.

Political organizers founded Democratic Action as a national reformist party.

Kerensky records his position on democratic programme in exile.

Nagumo leads the Japanese carrier strike force from Hitokappu Bay on its concealed northern route toward Hawaii.

Coordinates deportations from the Greater German Reich eastward.

Glenn Seaborg and colleagues conclusively identify plutonium during laboratory work at Berkeley.

Glenn Seaborg leads work that conclusively identifies plutonium, later important to wartime nuclear research.

Arthur Wahl participates in the conclusive identification of plutonium with Glenn Seaborg and colleagues.

Arthur Wahl participates in the wartime scientific work that conclusively identifies plutonium.

Brauchitsch is dismissed by Hitler who appoints himself Commander in Chief

Replaced by Marshal Timoshenko just before the capture of Kiev

Relieved of his command by Hitler after the Panzers are forced onto the defensive

Mussolini announces administrative measures affecting Sicilian government employees during the wartime reorganization of the island.

Asks to be relieved of his command if there is no longer confidence in his leadership

Relieved of his command by Hitler due to his disagreement over strategy

Dismissed by Stalin for adivising that Kiev should be evacuated

Takahashi leads a first-wave dive-bomber unit against targets on Oahu during the Pearl Harbour attack.

Hut 8 work, including Turings methods, helps make the German U-boat key Dolphin readable on a near-daily basis during the summer.

Jodl participates in frequent operational briefings as the German advance continues deep into the Soviet Union.

Tens of thousands are sent to ghettos and killing sites.

Roosevelt declares a state of emergency, the Government assumes wide-ranging control of the economy & pledges to resist German aggression

The Eighth Army comprises the XIII & XXX Corps

Commands the Eighth Army which captures Tobruk from Rommel

Investigates electromagnetic methods for uranium separation.

The US imposes a total embargo on Japan for its invasion of Indochina. Britain freezes Japans assets for its invasion of Indochina

Antonescu formally ends the National Legionary State.

The Third Hermann Jonasson Government ends, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Iceland.

Orders a boarding party onto disabled U-110, enabling capture of an intact Enigma machine and code material.

Boards U-110 and recovers an Enigma machine, rotors, codebooks and current cryptographic material.

Orders urgent priority for Bletchley Park resources after receiving the codebreakers' appeal for more support.

Works in Hut 8 as captured U-boat material helps restore access to German Naval Enigma traffic.

Shows visiting American intelligence officers the British Bombe during the Sinkov Mission.

Participates in the U-110 capture operation that secures valuable German Enigma material.

Leads cryptanalysis of Italian naval Enigma traffic that contributes intelligence before Cape Matapan.

Helps Knox's team read Italian naval Enigma traffic before the Battle of Cape Matapan.

Joins Hut 8 to work on German Naval Enigma immediately after completing his Cambridge examinations.

Visits Bletchley Park and learns about Britain's Bombe-based exploitation of Enigma.

Uses captured German naval cryptographic material to strengthen Hut 8 attacks on U-boat Enigma.

Has set up a good working system for decrypting Enigma signals but there were only a few bombes so not enough time to translate all the signals, in the summer there was considerable success and shipping losses had fallen to under 100,000 tons a month

Make sure they have all they want on extreme priority and report to me that this has been done.", more than two hundred bombes were in operation by the end of the war.

This record states: Churchill then wrote a memo to General Ismay which read: "ACTION THIS DAY.

This record states: Writes directly to Churchill spelling out his difficulties emphasising how small the need is compared with the vast expenditure of men and money by the forces and compared with the level of assistance they could offer.

Helps organize evacuation of industrial assets as German forces advance into Soviet Ukraine.

Sixth Army HQ instructs shoot Russians with a cropped head & wearing plain clothes

The first extermination camps were being built: first Belzec, then Sobibor, Treblinka, Chelmno, Majdanek, and finally Auschwitz-Birkenau, the mass execution of Jews begins in early 1942

Executed by the Vichy Government

Orders the execution of 3,000 Jews in Russia as a reprisal measure

Reichenaus 6th Army HQ orders executions to be left to the SD or SS

Orders, "..just retribution that must be meted out to the subhuman species of Jewry"

Announces Hess flight to Britain was due to a mental breakdown

For the remainder of the war, Prince Paul is kept, with his family, under house arrest by the British in Kenya

Escapes by plane to Greece after the surrender of Yugoslavia to the Germans

British troops invade Iraq to install a pro-British Government, Rashid Ali requests German support, but Germany refuses to intervene and Ali is forced to flee to Iran

Abe Zimmerman is father of Bob Dylan.

A plan to capture Gibraltar, the Canaries & Cape Verde. An operation to oust the British from the Meditteranean

Drops Operation Felix to concentrate on Russia in the Balkans

Itaya leads Akagi's Zero fighters in the first-wave fighter component of the Pearl Harbour attack.

Jodl attends final high-level reports on Operation Barbarossa shortly before the invasion.

This record states: An order is issued by the RSHA to block emigration of Jews attempting to leave Belgium or France as part of the "imminent Final Solution of the Jewish question." The RSHA.

This record states: And food in Theresienstadt (a concentration camp to extermination facilities like Auschwitz).

This record states: If they turned over their assets to the RSHA through a 'phony' home-purchase plan.

This record states: Working with Adolf Eichmann's Reich Association of Jews in Germany, deliberately deceived Jews living in Germany and those of other countries by promising them good living quarters, medical care.

This record states: An order is issued by the RSHA to block emigration of Jews attempting to leave Belgium or France as part of the "imminent Final Solution of the Jewish question." The RSHA.

This record states: And food in Theresienstadt (a concentration camp to extermination facilities like Auschwitz).

This record states: If they turned over their assets to the RSHA through a 'phony' home-purchase plan.

This record states: Working with Adolf Eichmann's Reich Association of Jews in Germany, deliberately deceived Jews living in Germany and those of other countries by promising them good living quarters, medical care.

The first extermination camps were being built: first Belzec, then Sobibor, Treblinka, Chelmno, Majdanek, and finally Auschwitz-Birkenau, the mass execution of Jews begins in early 1942

Participates in discussions concerning the planned annihilation of European Jews.

Appointed First Secretary of the Communist Party of Albania

Nationalist China formally declares war on Japan after the Pacific War begins, ending the earlier undeclared legal status of the conflict.

Begins the Fourth Hermann Jonasson Government and serves as Prime Minister of Iceland.

Approves Operation Ironclad in Cabinet, invasion of Madagascar with the Free French. Agrees the invasion of Madagascar with the Free French

British and Free French troops invade Syria

Leads the Free French & captures Kufra Libya

Approves the British support of the Free French in capturing Madagascar

Wilson is appointed GOC Palestine and Trans Jordan and oversaw the successful Syria campaign, in which predominantly Australian, British, Indian, and Free French forces overcame Vichy French forces in fierce fighting

Decrees no member of the Government or military should know more than necessary

Comments on Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union.

Wilson is appointed GOC Palestine and Trans Jordan and oversaw the successful Syria campaign, in which predominantly Australian, British, Indian, and Free French forces overcame Vichy French forces in fierce fighting

Gunther, leading ideologist of Nazi racial policy, is awarded the Goethe Medal

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

Tsouderos forms a government as German forces advance into Greece.

After the capture of Tobruk, Wilson is recalled to Cairo where he was offered and accepted the position of Military Governor of Cyrenaica

The Central Commitee declares this the "Great Fatherland War"

Jodl is present when Hitler states that Greece must be fully occupied before any settlement.

Jodl monitors the rapid German advance through Greece from the OKW operations staff.

Goerings Green Folder laid out details of the Soviet Unions proposed economic disposal after the invasion

Brauchitsch has a heart attack which is later used as an excuse by Hitler to replace him

Churchill has a heart attack just after the US enters the war, it is kept a secret

Jodl continues OKW work after Hitler personally assumes command of the German Army.

Hitler demands from Prince Paul that German troops pass through Yugoslavia to Greece

Hitler demands from Prince Paul that German troops pass through Yugoslavia to Greece

Hitler fails to persuade the Yugoslav Prime Minister, Dragisa Cvetkovic, to join the Axis

Romanian authorities perpetrate mass killing in Iasi.

The Italian-backed Croatian fascist leader Ante Pavelic declared an Independent State of Croatia

Rashid Ali, seizes power in Baghdad and refuses British requests to allow British military forces to enter Iraq.

Since the ending of the British Mandate and the advent of full Iraqi independence in 1932, Britain retained a great deal of military influence in Iraq, despite lingering opposition from many Arab nationalists.

The Anglo War of 1941, also known as the Rashid Ali Coup, is a relatively small, but very significant part of the Second World War.

The Italian-backed Croatian fascist leader Ante Pavelic declared an Independent State of Croatia

Churchill travels to the US to discuss Anglo-American strategy and priorities with Roosevelt, the Arcadia conference formally endorses the Allies Germany First policy

Churchill travels to the US to discuss Anglo-American strategy and priorities with Roosevelt, the Arcadia conference formally endorses the Allies Germany First policy

US sanctions on Japan

Advises Hitler the fight for Africa, "decisive importance for the outcome of the war". Advises Hitler that Italy's promise to invade Africa is meaningless

German troops under Rommel are sent to assist the Italians in North Africa

Orders German reinforcements for Albania

Mussolini discusses the Albanian and Greek fronts with Hitler and receives assurances of German support.

Italian forces stabilize parts of the Albanian front after months of Greek advances.

Japanese forces land on the coast of Borneo

A German air landing manages to capture Crete after twelve days of severe fighting

Germany launches an invasion of Crete, 23,000 men & 600 aircraft attack Crete

Manstein is given the task of capturing the Crimea

Greater Croatia becomes an independent pro-Axis state ruled by the Ustase

Alan Cunningham is charged with relieving Tobruk & the re-conquest of Cyrenaica

Appeals in vain to launch an offensive against Egypt & Suez

The British Army invades Italian-controlled Ethiopia

General Cunningham, commander of allied forces in East Africa, enters Addis Ababa

General Cunningham, commander of allied forces in East Africa, enters Addis Ababa

In Operation Lustre British forces are ferried to Greece to defeng it against the German invasion

The decision to send a British Commonwealth expeditionary force is made. A meeting attended by Eden and the Greek leadership, including King George II, Prime Minister Alexandros Koryzis and Papagos takes place in Athens on February 22

The C-in-C of Luftflotte Four, Generaloberst Alexander Lehr receives orders from Hermann Goering to wind down the air-offensive and transfer the bulk of the dive-bomber force to support the campaign in Greece

Negotiations begin for passage through Bulgaria to reach Greece & Russia

The German & Italian Armies take up their positions for the invasion of Yugoslavia & Greece. After the unexpected March 27 coup against the Yugoslav Government, orders for the future campaign in Yugoslavia are drafted, as well as changes to the plan for the attack on Greece

The Germans march into Athens & hoist the swastika over the Acropolis

Germany occupies Yugoslavia and Greece

Kleist commands 1st Panzergruppe, comprising XVIII and XL Panzer Corps, which spearheads the Blitzkrieg-style invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece

The decision to send a British Commonwealth expeditionary force is made. A meeting attended by Eden and the Greek leadership, including King George II, Prime Minister Alexandros Koryzis and Papagos takes place in Athens on February 22

Signs an agreement with Bulgaria allowing German passage to invade Greece

Begins the invasion of Greece

The Northern Greek armies surrender to the Germans

The C-in-C of Luftflotte Four, Generaloberst Alexander Lehr receives orders from Hermann Goering to wind down the air-offensive and transfer the bulk of the dive-bomber force to support the campaign in Greece

After weeks of inconclusive winter warfare, the Italians launched a large-scale counterattack across the centre of the front on March 9, 1941, which, despite the superiority of the Italian armed forces, failed. After one week and 12,000 casualties, Mussolini called off the counterattack, and then left Albania twelve days later

Mussolini oversees the opening of a major Italian offensive against Greece, but the attack fails to break the Greek front.

Italy's spring offensive fails to achieve a decisive breakthrough, increasing dependence on German intervention in the Balkans.

Operation Marita begins as German forces invade Greece through Bulgaria, intervening after the failure of the Italian campaign.

The Axis conquest of mainland Greece is effectively completed as Athens falls and Allied forces continue withdrawing south.

Meets Wavell, Eden and Dill who are seeking a senior commander to lead reinforcements to Greece

Wilson is forced to make a tactical withdrawal to Crete. Wilson is appointed to lead a Commonwealth expeditionary force of two infantry divisions and an armoured brigade to help Greece resist Italy and the subsequent German invasion in April 1941

Japanese troops begin to attack Hong Kong

Leads the 2Third Army across the border of Japanese occupied China

The Hong Kong Governor, Sir Mark Young, rejects a surrender demand. Reaches the waterfront of Kowloon

The Hong Kong Governor, Sir Mark Young, rejects a surrender demand

Hong Kong is surrendered to the Japanese

Japan invades southern Indochina

The US & Britain are prepared to go to war if Japan goes further into Indochina

British & Soviet troops invade Iran

British troops complete the occupation of the Abadan oilfields in Iran

A Government more sympathetic had been formed & asks the Allies for a cease-fire

The Allies demand that Iran expel all Axis Nationals within 48 hrs, an impossible task

Russian & British troops occupy Tehran

The Rashid Ali Al-Gaylani coup leads to a British invasion of Iraq

Britain invades Iran to aid supplies to Russia

British troops invade Iraq to install a pro-British Government, Rashid Ali requests German support, but Germany refuses to intervene and Ali is forced to flee to Iran

British forces in the Sudan led by General Platt attack Italian forces, marks the beginning of Wavells campaign against Italian East Africa

British forces in the Sudan led by General Platt attack Italian forces, marks the beginning of Wavells campaign against Italian East Africa

Wilson is appointed GOC Palestine and Trans Jordan and oversaw the successful Syria campaign, in which predominantly Australian, British, Indian, and Free French forces overcame Vichy French forces in fierce fighting

German reinforcements under Rommel arrive in Libya to support Italian forces after the British successes of Operation Compass.

Lands the Afrika Korps in Libya to support the Italians

Rommel lands on African soil in Libya & takes over control of the Afrika Korps

Britain launches Operation Archery, a commando attack against the Lofoten Island off Norway

Approves Operation Ironclad in Cabinet, invasion of Madagascar with the Free French. Agrees the invasion of Madagascar with the Free French

The British march into Diego Suarez in Madagascar after 2 days fighting

The 25th Army sets sail from Hainan

The 25th Army lands near the Thai border, immediately after Pearl Harbour

Commands an invasion of nothern Malaya

A 2nd landing on Lofoten Island reinforces Hitler's belief that Britain is planning to invade Norway

Romanian forces join the invasion of Russia by Germany

Admits there is no hope of "strategic success" after the failure to capture Moscow

Churchill warns Stalin the Germans have regrouped in Poland to invade Russia

The entire urban population of the invaded land was to be starved to death, thus creating an agricultural surplus to feed Germany and allowing the urban populations replacement by a German upper class. Goerings Green Folder laid out details of the Soviet Unions proposed economic disposal after the invasion

By the 2nd day of the invasion the Luftwaffe has destroyed 2,000 Russian aircraft

Progress on Moscow is stopped due to the weather & Russian resistance

Reports to Hitler that the Russian weather has brought his forces to a standstill

Outlines the General Staffs invasion plans to Hitler, the OKW & OKB

Convinces Hitler that the Russian resistance is on the verge of collapse

Negotiations begin for passage of troops through Bulgaria to reach Greece & Russia

"When Barbarossa commences, the world will hold its breath & make no comment". Orders Keitel to make it appear as if Germany is invading Britain rather than Russia

The Bulgarian General Staff allow German troops to pass through Bulgaria

German Army Units cross the Danube from Rumania & take up positions in Bulgaria

Delays invasion by 4 weeks to invade Yugoslavia after an Allied coup in Belgrade

At a General Staff meeting says Germany must destroy the Red Army & the Soviet State

The entire urban population of the invaded land was to be starved to death, thus creating an agricultural surplus to feed Germany and allowing the urban populations replacement by a German upper class

Sets the date for the German invasion of Russia, June 22

The original day planned for operation Barbarossa

3,050,000 troops, 3,350 tanks , 7,000 field guns & 2,000 arcraft are ready

German planes bomb Russian border cities

The Luftwaffe supports Operation Barbarossa and attacks Soviet airfields

Vilna & Kovoo are taken after the fall of Brest Litovsk during the German invasion of Russia

The western front is broken & the Germans charge towards Minsk

After the pincer battles of Bialystok & Minsk are concluded: 324,000 prisoners, 3,332 tanks & 1,809 guns are captured

The Stalin Line was broken through on all important points

Temperatures in Russia begin to drop below zero

1st cases of frostbite are reported in the German Army

Russian prisoners amount to 3,806,865; the number of tanks destroyed or captured 21,391, guns, 32,541 & aeroplanes, 17,322

Hitler orders Keitel to make it appear as if Germany is invading Britain

First day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the 5 divisions of the 1st Panzer Group

Kleist commands 1st Panzergruppe, comprising XVIII and XL Panzer Corps, which spearheads the Blitzkrieg-style invasion of Russia

Kleists leading divisions begin to reach Rostov-on-Don

Kleists Panzers seize a bridge over the Don, the last barrier before the Caucasus. Crooses the Don but is forced back by Timoshenko

The 4th Army reaches the outskirts of Moscow

Responsible for advancing into the Baltic States. Responsible capturing Baltic ports & moving to Leningrad

First day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the Army Group North

Present at a meeting with Hitler to plan the invasio of Russia

Announces over the radio to the Russian people that Germany has invaded Russia

1st day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the Army Group South consisting of 52 Divs

Responsible for capturing the Ukraine & the Caucasus

Tries to thwart the German attack on the Soviet Union in June 1941 through means such as hinting at the countrys military strength and the unassailability of its industrial reserves

Churchill warns Stalin the Germans had regrouped in order to invade Russia

All forces are placed on alert

Stalin is so demoralized by the German invasion that he remains drunk for 11 days. At 3:40 German planes bomb Russian border cities

3 million German soldiers attack the Soviet army of 5.7 million, 2.5 of them in the west, in the coming weeks, Stalin mobilizes some 10 million reservists

The western front is broken & the Germans charge towards Minsk. Builds a reserve front 300 km behind the front

The Central Commitee declares this the "Great Fatherland War"

Warns Russia of the danger of the German invasion during a broadcast

By mid July Russia has lost 3,500 tanks, 6,000 aircraft & 2 million men

Stalin calls an emergency session of the State Defence Committee

Orders Red Army units to destroy all houses & farms 40 miles behind the German lines

Timoshenko & Zhukov co-sign the order to put all forces on alert

Kleists Panzers seize a bridge over the Don but are forced back by Timoshenko

Informs the Politburo of the invasion by German forces

Zhukov issues a secret directive naming Germany as a probable enemyand instructs frontier regions to make preparations

Timoshenko & Zhukov co-sign the order to put all forces on alert

Ordered by Stalin to begin counter-offensve operations

Sends the Eighth & 15th mechanized corps on the offensive

Heinrich Himmler discussed the suitability of various personalities for the position of Reichskommissar for the re-union of Switzerland with Germany and its subsequent Reichsstatthalter with his subordinate Gottlob Berger

Heinrich Himmler discussed the suitability of various personalities for the position of Reichskommissar for the re-union of Switzerland with Germany and its subsequent Reichsstatthalter with his subordinate Gottlob Berger

Heinrich Himmler discussed the suitability of various personalities for the position of Reichskommissar for the re-union of Switzerland with Germany and its subsequent Reichsstatthalter with his subordinate Gottlob Berger

British and Free French troops invade Syria

Wilson is appointed GOC Palestine and Trans Jordan and oversaw the successful Syria campaign, in which predominantly Australian, British, Indian, and Free French forces overcame Vichy French forces in fierce fighting

Commands an invasion of Thailand

The C-in-C of Luftflotte Four, Generaloberst Alexander Lehr receives orders from Hermann Gring to wind down the air-offensive and transfer the bulk of the dive-bomber force to support the campaign in Greece

Hitler put pressure on Yugoslavia to join the Tripartite Pact. The Regent, Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, succumbed to this pressure

Orders invasion after a pro-Allied coup in Belgrade. Delays invasion by 4 weeks to invade Yugoslavia after an Allied coup in Belgrade

Orders Goering to "destroy Belgrade"

A coup is launched in Yugoslavia by anti-Prince Paul, Serbian military officers, and the Regent was replaced on the throne by King Peter II of Yugoslavia.

Hitler takes the Yugoslav coup as a personal insult, and was so angered that he was determined "without waiting for possible declarations of loyalty of the new Government to destroy Yugoslavia militarily and as a nation".

Summons chiefs to the Chancellery saying the Belgrade coup endangered Barbarossa.

Hitler gives the order for the Axis powers to invade Yugoslavia. After the unexpected March 27 coup against the Yugoslav Government, orders for the future campaign in Yugoslavia are drafted, as well as changes to the plan for the attack on Greece

Starting on April 6, 1941, Axis armies invaded from all sides and the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) bombed Belgrade. Launched to secure Geramanys Balkan flank for Operation Barbarossa. Hitler, infuriated at Yugoslavias defiance, ordered the implementation of Operation Punishment (Unternehmen Strafgericht).

The German & Italian Armies take up their positions for the invasion of Yugoslavia & Greece. The German Army falls on Yugoslavia & Greece in overwhelming strength.

Issues a directive dividing up Yugoslavia between Germany, Italy, Hungary & Bulgaria

The C-in-C of Luftflotte Four, Generaloberst Alexander Lehr receives orders from Hermann Goering to wind down the air-offensive and transfer the bulk of the dive-bomber force to support the campaign in Greece

Yugoslavia is subsequently divided amongst Germany, Hungary, Italy and Bulgaria, with most of Serbia being occupied by Germany. The last of the Yugoslav troops surrender to the Germans

Greater Croatia becomes an independent pro-Axis state ruled by the Ustase

Germany occupies Yugoslavia and Greece

Kleist commands 1st Panzergruppe, comprising XVIII and XL Panzer Corps, which spearheads the Blitzkrieg-style invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece

The C-in-C of Luftflotte Four, Generaloberst Alexander Lehr receives orders from Hermann Goering to wind down the air-offensive and transfer the bulk of the dive-bomber force to support the campaign in Greece

For the remainder of the war, Prince Paul is kept, with his family, under house arrest by the British in Kenya

The Italian-backed Croatian fascist leader Ante Pavelic declared an Independent State of Croatia

A coup is launched by anti-Prince Paul, Serbian military officers, and the Regent was replaced on the throne by King Peter II of Yugoslavia

Instructed by Hitler to advise Hungary, Romania & Italy they will partition Yugoslavia

The hostilities by Germany commence when Belgrade is bombed

Italian, Hungarian & Bulgarian troops invade Yugoslavia

German & Hungarian troops enter Belgrade

The Yugoslav Army capitulates at Sarajevo, Simovic escapes to Greece

600 Russian prisoners of war are gassed, 1st experiment with Zykon B

Japan & Russia sign a neutrality pact

Japan & Russia sign a neutrality pact

The office coordinates deportations of Jews across Nazi-controlled Europe.

Signs an order defending German troops from any crimes against the Russian population

French authorities enlarge the royal domain after Thai gains in western Laos

Homma's Fourteenth Army lands its main force at Lingayen Gulf during the invasion of Luzon.

Antonescu defeats the Iron Guard rebellion and consolidates personal rule.

The Selective Service Act requires all men aged 18-64 register, men aged 20-44 are liable to conscription

The US House of Representives passes the Lend-Lease Bill by 260 votes to 265, assisting Britain

Churchill says in a speech, "the Government and people of the United States intend to supply us with all that is necessary for victory". Churchill says in a speech, "Give us the tools and we will finish the job"

US Congress passes the Lend-Lease Act

The US House of Representives passes the Lend-Lease Bill by 260 votes to 265, assisting Britain

The Act authorises material assistance to countries considered vital to American defence.

The order signed by Jodl calls for Leningrad to be destroyed rather than occupied after surrender.

Helps found the Military Soviet for the Defence of Leningrad

Helps found the Military Soviet for the Defence of Leningrad

Appointed Lieutenant General

Appointed Lieutenant General

His government faces severe bombing damage during the Liverpool Blitz.

Britain decides to evacuate Crete

The British evacuation of Crete is completed

The C-in-C of Luftflotte Four, Generaloberst Alexander Lehr receives orders from Hermann Gring to wind down the air-offensive and transfer the bulk of the dive-bomber force to support the campaign in Greece. The C-in-C of Luftflotte Four, Generaloberst Alexander Lehr receives orders from Hermann Goering to wind down the air-offensive and transfer the bulk of the dive-bomber force to support the campaign in Greece

The C-in-C of Luftflotte Four, Generaloberst Alexander Lehr receives orders from Hermann Goering to wind down the air-offensive and transfer the bulk of the dive-bomber force to support the campaign in Greece

The C-in-C of Luftflotte Four, Generaloberst Alexander Lehr receives orders from Hermann Goering to wind down the air-offensive and transfer the bulk of the dive-bomber force to support the campaign in Greece

By the 2nd day of the invasion the Luftwaffe has destroyed 2,000 Russian aircraft

Starting on April 6, 1941, Axis armies invaded from all sides and the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) bombed Belgrade. Luftflotte Four of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), with a strength of seven Combat Formations (Kampfgruppen) had been committed to the campaign in the Balkans

German support appears in the form of a small number of Luftwaffe fighter planes, and the British forces quickly defeat the Iraqi military

Appointed Major General

Appointed Major General

Appointed Major General

Appointed Major General

Vannevar Bush creates the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)

The MAUD Committee issues final detailed technical report on design and costs to develop a bomb, advance copy sent to Vannevar Bush who decides to wait for official version before taking any action

Bush takes MAUD report to Roosevelt who approves project to confirm MAUD's findings

Vannevar Bush holds a meeting to organize an accelerated research project, managed by Arthur Compton, Harold Urey develops research into gaseous diffusion as uranium enrichment & Ernest Lawrence investigates separation methods

Vannevar Bush holds a meeting to organize an accelerated research project, managed by Arthur Compton, Harold Urey develops research into gaseous diffusion as uranium enrichment & Ernest Lawrence investigates separation methods

Organises accelerated American uranium research.

First meeting of the OSRD sponsored S-1 project, dedicated to developing fission weapons

OSRD research includes radar, guided missiles and fission weapons.

A report by Arthur Compton and the National Academy of Sciences is issued which finds favorable the prospects of developing nuclear power production for military use

Vannevar Bush holds a meeting to organize an accelerated research project, managed by Arthur Compton, Harold Urey develops research into gaseous diffusion as uranium enrichment & Ernest Lawrence investigates separation methods

Vannevar Bush holds a meeting to organize an accelerated research project, managed by Arthur Compton, Harold Urey develops research into gaseous diffusion as uranium enrichment & Ernest Lawrence investigates separation methods

Vannevar Bush holds a meeting to organize an accelerated research project, managed by Arthur Compton, Harold Urey develops research into gaseous diffusion as uranium enrichment & Ernest Lawrence investigates separation methods

Mark Oliphant travels to USA to urge development of a bomb rather than power production

Bush takes MAUD report to Roosevelt who approves project to confirm MAUD's findings

Conclusive discovery of plutonium by Glenn Seaborg and Arthur Wahl

Vannevar Bush holds a meeting to organize an accelerated research project, managed by Arthur Compton, Harold Urey develops research into gaseous diffusion as uranium enrichment & Ernest Lawrence investigates separation methods

Orders Operation Marita to commence on 26th March

German Army units cross the Danube & take up positions in Bulgaria

To protect Romanian oilfields from the British in preparation to invade Russia. Signs an agreement with Bulgaria allowing German passage to invade Greece

Turing proposes marriage to Hut 8 co-worker Joan Clarke, a fellow mathematician and cryptanalyst, but their engagement is short-lived after admitting his homosexuality to his fiancee, who is reportedly "unfazed" by the revelation, Turing decides that he cannot not go through with the marriage

600 Russian prisoners of war are gassed, 1st experiment with Zykon B

Sonderkommando 4a slaughter 33,771 Jews, within the 6th Armys Area of responsibility

Orders the 6th Army to create a command structure for atrocities in the Ukraine

Supports the MAUD conclusion on uranium weapon feasibility while based at Liverpool.

MAUD report concludes a uranium bomb is feasible.

Jodl's staff continues coordinating German commitments in the Mediterranean and Balkans.

Mussolini accepts Hitler's offer of help in north Africa but not in Albania. Hitler & Mussolini meet at Berchtesgaden

Mussolini meets Hitler at Berchtesgaden to discuss Axis strategy and Italy's military difficulties.

Proposes asking Britain to give Germany a free hand in Europe, in exchange Germany will leave the British Empire intact. Hess flies himself to Scotland & meets the Duke of Hamilton to submit his own peace proposals

Meets Winant, the new US Ambasador, in London, breaks with precedent

Crete is captured by the German forces, Freyberg organizes the British withdrawal

Hitler issues a directive to capture Crete

The German attack on Crete begins

Crete is captured by the German forces

Sakamaki commands midget submarine HA-19, which fails to penetrate Pearl Harbour and later grounds on Oahu.

Furuno commands HA-17, launched from submarine I-18 as part of the Pearl Harbour operation.

Iwasa commands one of the five Japanese midget submarines launched for the Pearl Harbour operation.

Yokoyama commands HA-16, launched from submarine I-16 before the air attack on Pearl Harbour.

Jodl signs an order stating that surrender offers from Moscow or Leningrad should not be accepted.

The same order extends a destructive policy to Moscow rather than accepting a capitulation.

Mussolini accepts German help in North Africa while discussions with Hitler also touch on future operations against the Soviet Union.

Mussolini fails to persuade Franco to bring Spain into the war on the Axis side.

A report by Arthur Compton and the National Academy of Sciences is issued which finds favorable the prospects of developing nuclear power production for military use

US President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill sign the Atlantic Charter in Argentia Bay (Newfoundland), the charter establishes common wartime principals and emphasised the strength of Anglo-American alliance despite US neutrality

Japan & Russia sign a mutual neutrality pact

Japan & Russia sign a neutrality pact

US President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill sign the Atlantic Charter in Argentia Bay (Newfoundland), the charter establishes common wartime principals and emphasised the strength of Anglo-American alliance despite US neutrality

Assigned leader of the Russia Committee, a Foreign Office post with no political influence that neutralized him

Japan & Russia sign a neutrality pact

Japan & Russia sign a mutual neutrality pact

States he will not be able to attack Rommel until mid November

Alan Cunningham is charged with relieving Tobruk & the re-conquest of Cyrenaica

Appointed SS-Obergruppenfuhrer und General der Polizei

The Australian Brigade in Tobruk is relieved by British troops

Directs wartime scientific projects including radar and early-warning systems.

OSRD sponsors radar, proximity fuze and nuclear research during the war.

Vannevar Bush creates the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)

Jodl's operations staff increasingly directs theatres outside the main Eastern Front.

Orders German reinforcements for Albania

Britain launches Operation Archery, a commando attack against the Lofoten Island off Norway

A 2nd landing on Lofoten Island reinforces Hitler's belief that Britain is planning to invade Norway

Orders the occupation of the rest of France

Orders the siezure of the French fleet at Toulon

Joins Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union.

Progress on Moscow is stopped due to the weather & Russian resistance

Reports to Hitler that the Russian weather has brought his forces to a standstill

Outlines the General Staffs invasion plans to Hitler, the OKW & OKB

Convinces Hitler that the Russian resistance is on the verge of collapse

Negotiations begin for passage of troops through Bulgaria to reach Greece & Russia

"When Barbarossa commences, the world will hold its breath & make no comment". The starting date for Barbarossa will be 15th May. The Red Army will have 155 Divisions against 116 German Divisions. Hitler reviews the plans for Barbarossa

The Bulgarian General Staff allow German troops to pass through Bulgaria

German Army Units cross the Danube from Romania & take up positions in Bulgaria

Paul of Yugoslavia is invited to the Berghof & offered Salonika for German support

Summons chiefs to the Chancellery saying the Belgrade coup endangered Barbarossa. Delayed up to 4 weeks so Yugoslavia can be invaded after a pro-Allied coup in Belgrade

At a General Staff meeting orders destruction of the Red Army & the Soviet State

Operation Barbarossa was to combine a northern assault towards Leningrad, a symbolic capturing of Moscow, and an economic strategy of seizing oil fields in the south beyond Ukraine. Hitler repeated his order: "Leningrad first, the Donetsk Basin second, Moscow third"

Sets the date for the German invasion of Russia, June 22

The original day planned for operation Barbarossa

Temperatures in Russia begin to drop below zero

1st cases of frostbite are reported in the German Army

The remains of 3 panzer groups are forced to continue against the Russian resistance

A reconnaisance battalion is driven out of a Moscow suburb

All German forces are held back by 70 degrees of frost

Kesselrings concentration of Luftflotte is completed. In the 1st raid 2,500 enemy aircraft are destroyed

First day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the 5 divisions of the 1st Panzer Group

Kleists leading divisions begin to reach Rostov-on-Don

Kleists Panzers seize a bridge over the Don, the last barrier before the Caucasus. Crooses the Don but is forced back by Timoshenko

The 4th Army reaches the outskirts of Moscow

1st day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the Army Group North

Serves under General Erich Hoepner

1st day of Operation Barbarossa, commands the Army Group South consisting of 52 Divs

Responsible for capturing the Ukraine & the Caucasus

Kleists Panzers seize a bridge over the Don but are forced back by Timoshenko

Jodl serves at OKW as Germany launches the invasion of the Soviet Union.

Launches Operation Blue, to trap Soviet forces in a pincer movement west of the Don

Launches Operation Blue, phase 1 to capture Voronezh

The 1st British operation against the Afrika Korps, attempts to throw the Axis forces back from the Egyptian frontier

Churchill launches Operation Claymore, a naval raid against the Lofoten Islands

Britains 1st airborne attack of the war, 38 paratroopers are dropped on a railway viaduct at Trignano, Italy

Launches Operation Crusader to relieve Tobruk and push Axis forces back from the approaches to Egypt and Suez.

Approves Operation Ironclad in Cabinet, invasion of Madagascar with the Free French

The 1st large amphibious assault made by British forces since the Dardanelles. An amphibious invasion of the Vichy French colony of Madagascar

Vichy forces surrender to the British in Madagascar

The British march into Diego Suarez in Madagascar after just 2 days fighting

Approves the British support of the Free French in capturing Madagascar

In Operation Lustre British forces are ferried to Greece to defeng it against the German invasion

After the unexpected March 27 coup against the Yugoslav Government, orders for the future campaign in Yugoslavia are drafted, as well as changes to the plan for the attack on Greece

German forces launch Operation Marita through Bulgaria against Greece, transforming the Balkan campaign.

Jodl's OKW staff coordinates high-level operations as German forces invade Yugoslavia and Greece.

13 Aug-23 August, the Allies agree to mount an invasion called "Overlord" in May 44

Hitler, infuriated at Yugoslavias defiance, ordered the implementation of Operation Punishment (Unternehmen Strafgericht)

The operation "Taifun" to take Moscow commences

Ordered by Hitler to invade Moscow, 200 miles away

Orders Operation Typhoon, an attack on Moscow

Reaches within 20km of Moscow before the Red Army force Model back

Model must fight to keep the bridgeheads on the Volga near Kalinin

The assault on Moscow is resumed. Model captures the bridges of the Moscow reservoirs in support of the 4th Army

The pact of the "United Nations" is signed in Washington by 26 nations, they commit themselve to not agree to any seperate peace with Germany or Japan

The pact of the "United Nations" is signed in Washington by 26 nations, they commit themselve to not agree to any seperate peace with Germany or Japan

The pact of the "United Nations" is signed in Washington by 26 nations, they commit themselve to not agree to any seperate peace with Germany or Japan

The pact of the "United Nations" is signed in Washington by 26 nations, they commit themselve to not agree to any seperate peace with Germany or Japan

Bulgaria joins the Tripartite Pact

Hitler demands that Bulgaria joins the Tripartite Pact

Bulgaria signs the Tripartite Pact

Hitler applies pressure on Yugoslavia to join the Tripartite Pact

Yugoslavia signs the Tripartite Pact

Yugoslavia signs the Tripartite Pact

Reneges on the Tripartite Pact

Japan & Russia sign a mutual neutrality pact

Japan & Russia sign a mutual neutrality pact

Panzer Group Africa is activated with Rommel in command, and command of the Afrika Korps SS turned over to Ludwig Cruwell

Panzer Group Africa is activated with Rommel in command, and command of the Afrika Korps SS turned over to Ludwig Cruwell

The Panzer Group controls the Afrikakorps plus some additional German units that were sent to Africa, as well as two corps of Italian units

The Panzer Group controls the Afrikakorps plus some additional German units that were sent to Africa, as well as two corps of Italian units. During the summer of 1941 OKW and OKH enlarge the command structure in Africa by creating a new headquarters called Panzer Group Africa (Panzer Group Africa)

Instructed by Hitler to advise Hungary, Romania & Italy they will partition Yugoslavia

Appointed Party Leader of the Country Party, in Parliament

Aldo Vidussoni becomes secretary of the National Fascist Party.

Appointed Party Secretary of the Fascist Party

Nagumo receives the coded order confirming that the Pearl Harbour attack will proceed on 7 December.

Kusaka serves as Nagumo's chief of staff while the First Air Fleet conducts the Pearl Harbour strike.

Appointed to lead the German section of the Political Warfare Executive.

Takes responsibility for coordinating study of post-war reconstruction and chairs the ministerial machinery established for reconstruction problems.

Is posted to Cairo and works in senior intelligence duties in the Middle East theatre.

Assumes acting presidential powers after Pedro Aguirre Cerda dies.

Panama joins the Allied war effort after the attack on Pearl Harbor

Appointed President of Panama

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

Appointed President of Venezuela

Congress elected Isaias Medina Angarita president under the indirect electoral system.

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

Appointed Prime Minister of Australia, 1st term

Appointed Prime Minister of Australia, Prime Minister until Oct

"The Seven" announce a coup in Iraq, Rashid Ali al-Kaylani is made head of the Government

Is promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfuehrer.

Appointed "protector" of Bohemia & Moravia

Appointed acting Reichsprotektor in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (the part of Czechoslovakia incorporated into the Reich on 15 March 1939)

The Czech Government in exile is recognized by Great Britain

The Red Army will have 155 Divisions against 116 German Divisions

At a General Staff meeting says Germany must destroy the Red Army & the Soviet State. At a General Staff meeting orders destruction of the Red Army & the Soviet State

Reaches within 20km of Moscow before the Red Army force Model back

Orders Red Army units to destroy all houses & farms 40 miles behind the German lines

Given power to act independently & have jurisdiction over the Army Chiefs of Staff

Given power to act independently & have jurisdiction over the Army Chiefs of Staff

Given plenipotentiary powers covering all police actions in occupied territory

Reduces armies to 5 or 6 divisions so they are more mobile & less of an aerial target

This record states: An order is issued by the RSHA to block emigration of Jews attempting to leave Belgium or France as part of the "imminent Final Solution of the Jewish question." The RSHA.

This record states: And food in Theresienstadt (a concentration camp to extermination facilities like Auschwitz).

This record states: If they turned over their assets to the RSHA through a 'phony' home-purchase plan.

This record states: Working with Adolf Eichmann's Reich Association of Jews in Germany, deliberately deceived Jews living in Germany and those of other countries by promising them good living quarters, medical care.

Appointed SS-Obergruppenfuhrer und General der Polizei

This record states: An order is issued by the RSHA to block emigration of Jews attempting to leave Belgium or France as part of the "imminent Final Solution of the Jewish question." The RSHA.

This record states: And food in Theresienstadt (a concentration camp to extermination facilities like Auschwitz).

This record states: If they turned over their assets to the RSHA through a 'phony' home-purchase plan.

This record states: Working with Adolf Eichmann's Reich Association of Jews in Germany, deliberately deceived Jews living in Germany and those of other countries by promising them good living quarters, medical care.

Resigns as PM of Australia

Forced to resign after his budget is rejected

Resigns due to the Armys unwillingness to make concessions demanded by US diplomacy

Resigns due to dissatisfaction with his wartime leadership

Resigns due to the Armys unwillingness to make concessions demanded by US diplomacy. Resigns due to the Armys unwillingness to make concessions demanded by the US

Re-enters the capital, Addis Ababa

The Revolutionary Nationalist Movement was founded by Victor Paz Estenssoro and Hernan Siles Zuazo

The Revolutionary Nationalist Movement was founded by Victor Paz Estenssoro and Hernan Siles Zuazo

Jodl attends a conference where German concentrations in Romania are discussed as forces for operations against Greece.

Becomes director of RSHA section IV B 4.

Appointed acting Reichsprotektor in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (the part of Czechoslovakia incorporated into the Reich on 15 March 1939)

A German air landing manages to capture Crete after twelve days of severe fighting

Greater Croatia becomes an independent pro-Axis state ruled by the Ustase

Heydrich becomes, for all intents and purposes, military dictator of Bohemia and Moravia, changes to the Governments structure leaves President Emil Hacha and his cabinet virtually powerless

As the governor of Bohemia and Moravia, Heydrich applies "carrot-and-stick" methods, the black market is suppressed, food rations and pensions are increased, and unemployment insurance is established for the first time

Heydrich becomes, for all intents and purposes, military dictator of Bohemia and Moravia, changes to the Governments structure leaves President Emil Hacha and his cabinet virtually powerless.

Those associated with the resistance movement or the black market are tortured or executed, under Heydrich, conditions in Prague and the rest of the Czech lands are relatively peaceful and industrial output goes up.

Germany occupies Yugoslavia and Greece

Appointed acting Reichsprotektor in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (the part of Czechoslovakia incorporated into the Reich on 15 March 1939)

Yugoslavia is subsequently divided amongst Germany, Hungary, Italy and Bulgaria, with most of Serbia being occupied by Germany

Issues a directive dividing up Yugoslavia between Germany, Italy, Hungary & Bulgaria

Germany occupies Yugoslavia and Greece

Instructed by Hitler to advise Hungary, Romania & Italy they will partition Yugoslavia

OSRD coordinates weapons research while radar projects expand separately.

The Special Air Service destroys 90 enemy transport & other aircraft

Shimazaki leads the second Japanese air wave against Pearl Harbour and nearby military airfields.

Appointed SS-Obergruppenfuhrer und General der Polizei

General Cunningham, commander of allied forces in East Africa, enters Addis Ababa

German support appears in the form of a small number of Luftwaffe fighter planes, and the British forces quickly defeat the Iraqi military

Orders Goering to "destroy Belgrade"

Encircles Bryansk

Alan Cunningham is charged with relieving Tobruk & the re-conquest of Cyrenaica

The British march into Diego Suarez in Madagascar after 2 days fighting

Manstein captures the bridges at Dvinsk

Seeks to defeat the British at their garrison of Habbaniya

Defeated by the British who regain control of Iraq

Japanese troops begin to attack Hong Kong

Hong Kong is surrendered to the Japanese

Defends Kiev, Stalin refuses to allow any withdrawal from Kiev

Rundstedt & Guderian complete the encirclement of Kiev

Stalin evacuates Kiev but Halder says the Germans should have concentrated on Moscow

Stalin evacuates Kiev, Hitler calls it "the greatest Battle in world history"

After the Uman pocket is closed advances to the south of Kiev & joins up with Guderian

Rundstedt & Guderian complete the encirclement of Kiev

Orders the evacuation of Kiev, 665,000 Russian prisoners are captured

Leads the Free French & captures Kufra Libya

Ordered north to help with the attack on Leningrad

Responsible for capturing Balic ports & moving to Leningrad

By the end of the month the Germans give up storming the City & dig in for a siege. Arrives in Leningrad to co-ordinate its defenses

The British & Norwegians raid the occupied Lofoten Islands destroying 11 German ships

A commando raid destroys fish oil processing plants in Lofoton, northern Norway

Transferred to Bataan to deny the Japanese the control of Luzon

Hoth & Guderian encircle Minsk trapping 300,000 Russian soldiers

The western front is broken & the Germans charge towards Minsk

Hoth & Guderian encircle Minsk trapping 300,000 Russian soldiers

Prepares to evacuate his HQ from Moscow

Beria brings in several regiments of the NKVD in to preserve order. A state of siege is declared

Responsible for the siege of Moscow

Encircles Bryansk

Encircles Vyazma

The deadline set by Bock in Sept for surrounding Moscow is reached

Forced back 100 miles to avoid Russian encirclement. Admits there is no hope of "strategic success" after the failure to capture Moscow

Brauchitschs advice to attack Moscow directly is rejected by Hitler

Guderian takes Yeremenko by surprise when he begins to attack Moscow

The 10th Panzer Division & SS Das Reich reach Borodino, 70 miles from Moscow

1st Panzer Division captures Kalinin 100 niles outside Moscow

Reaches Tula & threatens Moscow from the south

The Germans begin their final offensive to take Moscow

German forces lose more than 500,000 men, Hitler's biggest loss to date

The Soviet counter offensive hits the unsuspecting German army

Pushes across the Moskva-Volga canal

Provides air support for Guderians panzer groups

Sends a force up the Minsk Chausee, where Napoleon had marched

Reaches within 20km of Moscow before the Red Army force Model back

Model must fight to keep the bridgeheads on the Volga near Kalinin

The Germans begin their final offensive to take Moscow

Part of the administration is moved but Stalin stays in Moscow

The operation "Taifun" to take Moscow commences

Announces, "If they want a war of extermination they shall have one"

Stages a symbollically important parade in Red Square

The Germans begin their 2nd offensive against Moscow

Some German units advance into the southern suburbs of Moscow

The Soviet counter offensive hits the unsuspecting German army. The German attack on Moscow is contained. German forces lose mre than 500,000 men, Hitler's biggest loss to date. 720,000 Russian soldiers drive back 800,000 Germans

Ordered by Stalin to organize a new Bryansk Front to defend Moscow

Guderian takes Yeremenko by surprise when he begins to attack Moscow

Ordered by Stalin from Leningrad to create a new western front to defend Moscow

Orders that "there be no further falling back". Orders Rokossovsky to hold the line at Kryukovo with the remants his Sixteenth Army

1st Shock Army & the Sixteenth Army attack the inner side of the German salient

Launches an attack of the German inner salient with the Sixteenth Army

Yamashita launches his 1st attack on Singapore

The British surrender Singapore to Yamashita

Helps encircle large Russian forces at Smolensk

Russian & British troops occupy Tehran

Charged with carrying out operation Crusader to relieve Tobruk & re-capture Cyrenaica

Erwin Rommel is forced to abandon his siege of Tobruk

Demands the Australians in Tobruk be relieved which the Allies reluctantly agree to

Besieges Tobruk, seeking to open the route east toward Egypt and the Suez Canal.

The British capture the port of Tobruk in Libya from the Italians

Wavell attempts a counter-attack but his troops are stopped

Orders siezure of the French fleet at Toulon in violation of the Compiegene Armistice

100,000 Russian prisoners are taken when the Uman pocket is closed

Launches Operation Blue, phase 1 to capture Voronezh

Russian divisions are sacrificed to prevent the capture of the Yelnaya rail junction

Reichenaus 6th Army HQ orders executions to be left to the SD or SS

Orders the 6th Army to create a command structure for atrocities in the Ukraine

Raises training standards across South Eastern Army while maintaining responsibility for coastal defence.

Churchill says in a speech, "Give us the tools and we will finish the job"

Delivers the "Blood and Guts" speeches

The rank corresponds approximately to lieutenant colonel.

Stalin calls for the creation of second front in Europe to relieve pressure on Russian forces battling German army at the gates of Moscow

The Stalin Line was broken through on all important points

Roosevelt declares a state of emergency, the Government assumes wide-ranging control of the economy & pledges to resist German aggression

Sets up a supreme general-staff HQ

Succeeds as Shah of Iran. Reza Shah is deposed and his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, is installed by an invasion of allied British and Soviet troops

The Regency is overthrown by pro-Allied groups to resist German invasion

Maintains Mediterranean naval forces based at Alexandria to protect supply routes linked to Egypt and the Suez Canal.

Appeals in vain to launch an offensive against Egypt & Suez

Urges Hitler to concentrate on Mediterranean strategy and seize the Suez Canal, but the proposal is not adopted.

Arrives in North Africa to support Italian forces and begins operations that eventually threaten Egypt and the Suez Canal.

Orders German reinforcements for Tripoli

The OKW issues instructions for the Afrika Korps to defend North Africa

German units disembark for Tripoli

Sends 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion to find how close Wavells army is to Tripoli

Appointed Supreme Commander of the Soviet Armed Forces

Appointed Supreme Commander of the Soviet Armed Forces

Assumes the role of Supreme Commander of the China Theater as China becomes a formal Allied belligerent in the wider Pacific War.

The surrender of Gondar ends the principal organized Italian military resistance in East Africa.

Publishes The Lion and the Unicorn.

Fuchida signals that tactical surprise has been achieved as the first Japanese air wave reaches Pearl Harbour.

Murata leads the first-wave torpedo attack unit against American warships at Pearl Harbour.

Germany & Russia sign a fresh Treaty recognizing spheres of influence & trade

Germany & Russia sign a fresh Treaty recognizing spheres of influence & trade

The Government signs a nonaggression Treaty with Germany

"The Seven" break the Treaty by refusing to allow passage of British troops through Iraqi territory and the Government begins to express support for Germany

An alliance is agreed with the USSR

Signs the Treaty of Friendship with the new Government of Yugoslavia

Hitler has General Count von Sponeck court-martialled

Bulgaria joins the Tripartite Pact

In front of Hitler & Ribbentrop Cvetkovic signs Yugoslavia to the Tripartite Pact

Hitler demands that Bulgaria joins the Tripartite Pact

Hitler fails to persuade the Yugoslav Prime Minister, Dragisa Cvetkovic, to join the Axis. Hitler applies pressure on Yugoslavia to join the Tripartite Pact

Bulgaria signs the Tripartite Pact

Hitler applies pressure on Yugoslavia to join the Tripartite Pact

In front of Hitler & Ribbentrop Cvetkovic signs Yugoslavia to the Tripartite Pact

Hitler put pressure on Yugoslavia to join the Tripartite Pact. The Regent, Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, succumbed to this pressure

In front of Hitler & Ribbentrop Cvetkovic signs Yugoslavia to the Tripartite Pact

Reneges on the Tripartite Pact

Reneges on the Tripartite Pact. Offers a nonaggression pact with Germany, Hitler has to delay his invasion of Russia

The pact of the "United Nations" is signed in Washington by 26 nations, they commit themselve to not agree to any seperate peace with Germany or Japan

The pact of the "United Nations" is signed in Washington by 26 nations, they commit themselve to not agree to any seperate peace with Germany or Japan

Develops gaseous-diffusion research for uranium enrichment.

An amphibious invasion of the Vichy French colony of Madagascar

Vichy forces surrender to the British in Madagascar

Laval is shot four times while reviewing the Legion des Volontaires Francais at Versailles, he survives his wounds and is returned to power in Vichy on April 18,1942

Executed by the Vichy Government

The Vichy French forces in Syria surrender to the Allied forces

Wilson is appointed GOC Palestine and Trans Jordan and oversaw the successful Syria campaign, in which predominantly Australian, British, Indian, and Free French forces overcame Vichy French forces in fierce fighting

Helps develop the Viet Minh movement after its formation

Visits Roosevelt for the 1st time to ask for futher US support in the war. America refuses to join the war

Pays a visit to Canada

The western front is broken & the Germans charge towards Minsk

The western front is broken & the Germans charge towards Minsk

Ordered by Stalin from Leningrad to create a new western front to defend Moscow

Directs the western film Western Union.

Jodl participates in high-level briefings as German forces face the Soviet winter counteroffensive.

Jodl attends Hitler's conference ordering rapid military preparations to destroy Yugoslavia.

Jodl's office issues a tentative plan coordinating German and Italian military operations against Yugoslavia.

Birth of Alexander Chapman Ferguson

Birth of Bob Dylan at Duluth, Minnesota

Birth of Bob Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman.

Birth of Bobby Moore

Birth of Charlie Watts, later drummer of the Rolling Stones.

Birth of Dave Dee, born David John Harman

Birth of David Anthony "Dave" Brock

Birth of David Van Cortland Crosby

Birth of Eugene Ney TerreBlanche

Birth of Gene Pitney

Birth of Geoffrey Charles Hurst

Birth of John Steel, rock drummer Animals

Birth of Otis Reading

Birth of Paul Simon

Birth of Ritchie Valens, Richard Steven Valenzuela

Birth of Simon Ward

Koryzis becomes Prime Minister after the death of Ioannis Metaxas.

Bruno Mussolini, son of Benito Mussolini, is killed in an air accident while testing a Piaggio P.108 bomber near Pisa.

Executed by the Vichy Government

Death of Gottfried Feder

Henri Bergson dies in occupied Paris, aged eighty-one.

Death of Hugh Seymour Walpole

Death of James Joyce

Death of Reinhard Heydrich

Death of Robert Baden-Powell

Orders the execution of 3,000 Jews in Russia as a reprisal measure

Orders, "..just retribution that must be meted out to the subhuman species of Jewry"

Forms the Battle of Atlantic Committee

Begins to fight for Bardia, 60 miles east of Torbruk

Rommel captures Bardia

The retreating Italian Tenth Army is defeated at Beda Fomm, completing the British conquest of Cyrenaica during Operation Compass.

1st day of the battle to cover the tracks of the Eighth Armys withdrawal from Tobruk

The attack on the British fails. Evacuates the eastern Tobruk perimeter to attack the British at Bir el Gobi

Withdraws to Gazala & Tobruk is relieved by the Allies

Grand Admiral Erich Raeder, Commander in Chief of the Kriegsmarine (German Navy), told Hitler that an invasion could only be contemplated as a last resort, and only after full air superiority had been achieved

Serves on board the Valiant during the Battle of Cape Matapan

After weeks of inconclusive winter warfare, the Italians launched a large-scale counterattack across the centre of the front on March 9, 1941, which, despite the superiority of the Italian armed forces, failed. After one week and 12,000 casualties, Mussolini called off the counterattack, and then left Albania twelve days later

Italy opens a major spring offensive against Greek positions, but the attack fails after heavy casualties and makes little territorial gain.

German forces enter Athens after the collapse of organized Greek and British Commonwealth resistance in mainland Greece.

The British are driven out of Halfaya Pass

The Eighth Panzer Regiment destroys 60 British tanks

Failed Btitish attempt on the German held pass south the Libya-Cyrenaica border

The Western Desert Force loses 200 tanks. Orders a general assault to destroy the British around Halfaya

Wavell is later replaced by General Claude Auchinleck. Wavell attempts a counter-attack but his troops are stopped

Lands at Kota Baharu during the invasion of Thailand

Sweeps forward to the north of Kursk

Wins the battle but fails to capture the deep sea port of Tobruk

does not follow the battle up with an air strike & the base remains intact. Dive bombers take off from Nagumos task force 250 miles north of the US Pacific Fleet. Commands the Japanese carriers

Relaunches the attack on Rostov

The 1st defeat during the Russian invasion. Commands III Panzer Corps spearheading the attack on Rostov

1st day of the Battle of Smolensk

About 300,000 Russian prisoners are taken

Repulses German attacks on the fortress, Rommel decide to abanon Tobruk

Rommel begins to attack Tobruk

Ordered to consolidate on the Egyptian border & concentrate on capturing Tobruk

The British capture the port of Tobruk in Libya from the Italians

Partially defeats the British 7th Armoured Division in an attempt to recapture Tobruk

The British Operation Compass campaign destroys much of the Italian Tenth Army and forces the loss of Cyrenaica.

Hitler offers Mussolini help after Italy's immanent defeat

Operation Compass ends with the destruction of much of the Italian Tenth Army after a British advance of several hundred miles.

Germany prepares direct military assistance for Italy after the collapse of much of the Italian position in Cyrenaica.

Wavells 30,000 men have counterattacj the Italians, advance 500 miles & take 130,000

Crowned king under the French protectorate administration