1942 in History

1st meets Eisenhower, disagrees with him about how to defend the British coast

Chicago Pile-1, the first nuclear reactor goes critical at the University of Chicago under the leadership and design of Enrico Fermi

Present at the opening of the 1st nuclear reactor at the University of Chicago

The frontier-guard formation commanded by Di Lorenzo is redesignated the 350th Infantry Regiment for North African service.

Accepts a Wafd government after British forces surround Abdeen Palace.

Cavallero accepts the decision to continue the Axis pursuit into Egypt despite his earlier preference for an assault on Malta.

Mussolini supports exploiting the capture of Tobruk by continuing the Axis advance eastward into Egypt.

Rommel reaches El Alamein, the Axis army's most advanced position in Egypt.

Nebbia's Ravenna Division reaches the Stalino area while moving toward the Don with the expanded Italian 8th Army.

Ravenna under Nebbia reaches Voroshilovgrad and continues toward the Don front.

OKW upgrades its presence in Africa by creating the XC Army Corps in Tunisia & creating a new 5th Panzer Army headquarters under the command of Colonel General Hans-Jurgen von Arnim

Bernard Montgomery launches an attack on the Deutsches Afrika Korps at Kidney Ridge

OKW upgrades its presence in Africa by creating the XC Army Corps in Tunisia & creating a new 5th Panzer Army headquarters under the command of Colonel General Hans-Jurgen von Arnim

Churchill and Roosevelt meet and agree to attack German forces in North Africa (Operation Torch) before launching invasion of Continental Europe, Torch serves to stall Bolero troop build-up in UK

Churchill and Roosevelt meet and agree to attack German forces in North Africa (Operation Torch) before launching invasion of Continental Europe, Torch serves to stall Bolero troop build-up in UK

US and Britain agree to cooperate in strategic planning in the event the US enters the war, during the ABC-1 talks, the US agree in principal that the defeat of Germany would be the first priority in the event of a two-theatre conflict

Stalin informs Churchill he cannot agree to the postponement of a 2nd front until 1943

Stalin informs Churchill he cannot agree to the postponement of a 2nd front until 1943

Leigh-Mallory replaces Sholto Douglas as head of Fighter Command and is promoted to Air Marshal

Leigh-Mallory replaces Sholto Douglas as head of Fighter Command and is promoted to Air Marshal

Tomonaga leads the Japanese carrier strike that bombs Midway Island shortly after dawn.

Strengthens the Alam Halfa position and prepares a defence designed to absorb Rommel's armoured attack.

Masses artillery to support infantry corridors through the Axis minefields at the start of the offensive.

Continues the battle despite slow progress, using artillery and infantry to wear down Axis reserves.

Eighth Army breaks the Axis front and begins the pursuit westward across Egypt and Libya.

The Alliance is confirmed, British Chiefs of Staff confirm their role

Churchill agrees to send Stalin Arctic convoys

Gariboldi retains the Alpine Corps under 8th Army control rather than allowing its divisions to be detached toward the Caucasus.

Nasci's Alpine Corps is redirected from projected Caucasus operations toward the Don sector and Italian 8th Army.

Nasci's Alpine Corps takes responsibility for the northern sector of the Italian 8th Army line on the Don.

After heavy fighting at El Alamein, the weakened Ariete Division is temporarily withdrawn from the front.

Arena moves Ariete north toward Deyr el-Murra for an Axis armoured counter-move during the El Alamein battle.

Keeps British armour concentrated rather than allowing it to be drawn into Rommel's preferred mobile battle.

Brigadier General Wilhelm Styer directs Colonel James C. Marshall to organise an Army Corps of Engineers district to consolidate atomic bomb development.

Placed in command of Army Group A

As part of the second phase of the operation, on 9 July, Army Group South was split into Army Group A and B with Wilhelm List appointed as commander of Army Group A in place of von Bock

Hitler and von Bock, commander of Army Group South, argued over the next steps in the operation. The heated debate, and continuing Soviet counterattacks, which tied down 4th Panzer Army until 13 July, caused Hitler to lose his temper and dismiss von Bock

The splitting of Army Group South enabled the launching of Operation Edelweiss and Operation Fischreiher, the two main thrusts of the Army Groups. Both groups had to achieve their objectives simultaneously.

The success of the initial advance was such that Hitler ordered the 4th Panzer Army south to assist the First Panzer Army to cross the lower Don river.

This assistance was not needed and Kleist later complained that 4th Panzer Army clogged the roads and that if they had carried on toward Stalingrad, they could have taken it in July.

When it turned north again two weeks later, the Soviets had gathered enough forces together at Stalingrad to check its advance

Believing that the main Soviet threat had been eliminated, short of oil and needing to meet all the of Case Blue, Hitler makes changes to the Fuhrer Directive No. 45: reorganized Army Group South into two.

smaller Army Groups, A and B; directed Army Group A to advance to the Caucasus and capture the oil fields (Operation Edelweis); directed Army Group B to attack towards the Volga and Stalingrad (Operation Fischreiher).

Interned by the Vichy Government & tried for betraying his country

Battisti brings the Cuneense into the Eastern Front deployment of the Alpine Corps.

Ricagno's Julia Division completes its movement to the Eastern Front and joins the Alpine Corps.

Nasci brings the reconstituted Alpine Corps to the Eastern Front, where its divisions assemble in the Izyum region.

Assassination of the Vichy leader in north Africa

After the plans for the Final Solution are laid down at the Wannsee conference, Heydrich is attacked by members of the Czech underground resistance

Dies after an attack by the Czech resistence, 3 Czech parachutists with British support in an open car

Reaffirms the Atlantic Charter and a pledge against separate peace.

Signs the Declaration by United Nations in Washington.

Accepts the common programme embodied in the Atlantic Charter.

Signs the Declaration by United Nations for the Soviet Union.

Helps transform the charter's principles into a wider Allied commitment.

Signs the Declaration by United Nations incorporating Atlantic Charter principles.

China joins the major Allies in affirming Atlantic Charter principles.

Signs the Declaration by United Nations for China.

Tazzoli returns to Le Verdon after a 56-day Atlantic patrol in which Fecia di Cossato's submarine sank six merchant ships.

Fecia di Cossato continues long-range Betasom operations in the Atlantic, extending Tazzoli's record against Allied merchant shipping.

Rossetto commands Finzi during an Atlantic attack in which four torpedoes sink a British merchant vessel of about 7,000 tons.

Should proceed with "fanatic energy". Advocates construction of a concrete coastal wall in north west France

Orders that the construction of the Atlantic Wall be completed by 1st May 1943

Holds a meeting where he asks for 15,000 strong points to be defended by 300,000 men

Hitler orders Keitel to build defences in north west France with "fanatical energy"

Conant's status report, relayed through Vannevar Bush to the Secretary of War, reports encouraging results from Oppenheimer's bomb-design group.

Da Zara manoeuvres through British smoke screens and attacks escorts and merchant ships during the Battle of Pantelleria.

Eighth Army stops the Axis attack and preserves the defensive position protecting Egypt.

Presses the offensive as Axis armoured strength falls to a fraction of its original level.

Cavallero accompanies Mussolini to the Klessheim conference, where Italian and German leaders review Mediterranean and Eastern Front plans.

Ciano attends the Klessheim meetings with Mussolini and the German leadership during discussions of Axis strategy.

Mussolini meets Hitler at Klessheim near Salzburg to discuss Axis strategy, including operations in the Mediterranean and Soviet Union.

Arena leads Ariete during the final large Axis armoured counterattack, which fails to restore the El Alamein front.

Bastico oversees Italian forces as the Axis counteroffensive begins from the El Agheila area toward Cyrenaica.

Groves purchases about 1,250 tons of high-grade Belgian Congo uranium ore stored on Staten Island.

Eighth Army enters Benghazi as Montgomery sustains pressure on the retreating Axis army.

Oswald entered the Bethlehem Children's Home on December 26, 1942, and remained there for about thirteen months.

Supports ambitious implementation of postwar social reform.

Publishes Social Insurance and Allied Services.

Beveridge proposes comprehensive social insurance against major causes of poverty.

Begins the Bjorn Thordarson Government and serves as Prime Minister of Iceland.

Visits Bath

Kakuta's carrier aircraft attack Dutch Harbor as the Aleutian diversion opens alongside the Midway operation.

This record states: As a result, on 10 October 1942, Luftflotte Fours Fliegerkorps IV was ordered to send every available bomber against the oilfields at Grozny.

This record states: He was now down to 232, of which only 129 were combat ready.

This record states: Hitler called for the air offensive to be carried out no later than 14 October, as he required air assets for a major effort at Stalingrad.

This record states: The air fleet was in poor shape by this time.

This record states: Von Richthofen had begun Case Blue with 323 serviceable bombers out of a total of 480.

Japan informs Mussolini they will attack the US, Mussolini offers his full support

Carpet bombs Stalingrad with 1,600 sorties & 1,000 tons of bombs

Diverted to the Stalingrad Front with 1,200 planes

Refuses the Stalingrad to be evacuated in order to make the Russians defend it

Leads the B52 bombing of Tokyo & other Japanese cities

Brunetti's Brescia sector comes under heavy British attack during the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Conant recommends sharply restricting atomic information exchange with Britain; Bush forwards the recommendation to Roosevelt.

Churchill broadcasts to Italy appealing to them to oust their leaders

The Bruneval raid brings Wurzburg radar parts back to Britain.

Churchill goes on the air to rally morale & reorganises his Cabinet

Herbert Morrison replaces Sir Stafford Cripps

Yamamoto abandons the Midway invasion after the destruction of Nagumo's four fleet carriers.

Agedabia is captured by the Germans

Occuppies the Island of Attu in the Aleutian Islands

The Allies capture Bardia

Commands the Eighth Army in the recapture of Benghazi

Captures Benghazi

Succesfully demands Romania hand over Bessarabia to Russia, Germany does not object

Captures Bir-Hakeim

Captures Burluk

The Japanese capture Corregidor

The Japanese complete their capture of the Phillipines

Completes the capture of Cyrenaica

Helps capture Derna

The Allies evacuate Dernia & Rommel stops between Mechili & the coast

The Eighth Army is forced to withdraw to the Gazala line

Captures Gazala by destroying 250-300 British tanks

The Japanese complete the capture of Malaya

Part of Operation Uranus, captures the only bridge over the Don. Cuts off the German 6th armys main communications

Occuppies the Island of Kiska in the Aleutian Islands

Escapes from Konigstein, becomes an national hero in France

Krasnodar was captured and German mountain troops hoisted the Nazi flag on the highest mountain of the Caucasus, Mount Elbrus

Captures Lozovaya & discovers a German camp with appalling conditions

The Japanese capture Mandalay

Rommel captures Mersa Matruh

Captures Novocherkasak

Captures Oran during the North African landings

Ordered to capture Port Moresby in the Solomons

The Japanese capture Rangoon

With air support from the Ju 87s of Sturzkampfgeschwader 77, Lists Army Group A recaptured Rostov, the "gate to the Caucasus"

The Germans capture Rostov

The Germans capture Rostov

German forces capture Sebestopol

Meets von Bock after the capture of Sevastopol & the success at Kharkohov

Singapore surrenders to the Japanese

Launches an assault on Singapore Island

Singapore surrenders to Yamashita, 130,000 British are taken prisoner

Leads the principal assault in the Japanese capture of southern Sumatra

Trieste under Azzi participates in the Axis assault that results in the capture of Tobruk.

Bastico remains the senior Italian commander in Libya when Axis forces capture Tobruk after the Gazala campaign.

Orders Church bells to be rung throughout England after the capture of Tobruk

Ariete under De Stefanis takes part in the final attack that captures Tobruk from the British garrison.

Montgomerys forces enter Tobruk which was never again to fall under German control

Captures Tobruk then plans to move onto the Suez Canal

Captures Tobruk and drives toward Egypt, creating the greatest Axis threat to the Suez Canal.

Rommel captures Tobruk

British forces recapture Tobruk after the Axis retreat following the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Japanese forces occupy the island of Tulagi without opposition

Captures the Island of Tulagi in the Coral Sea

Germany occupies the remainder of Vichy France

Hara commands Carrier Division Five, centered on Shokaku and Zuikaku, during the Coral Sea operation.

Government forces kill striking miners and civilians during the Catavi Massacre.

Sets out proposals for central planning machinery as reconstruction responsibilities are reorganised.

The centrifuge method for uranium isotope separation is abandoned after persistent technical difficulties.

Declares the Allied war aims of world peace, freedom & self-determination

Fermi's group begins round-the-clock construction of Chicago Pile-1 beneath the west stands of Stagg Field.

Fermi's group begins receiving and preparing uranium and graphite for construction of Chicago Pile-1.

Chicago Pile-1, the first nuclear reactor goes critical at the University of Chicago under the leadership and design of Enrico Fermi

Leads the first controlled self-sustaining uranium chain reaction.

A team led by Enrico Fermi, for whom Fermilab is named, initiate the first artificial self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction in an experimental nuclear reactor named Chicago Pile-1

Appointed Chief of Staff of the OB West

Appointed Chief of Staff of the OB West

Appointed Chief of Staff of the 6th Army

Appointed Chief of Staff of the 6th Army

Creates Chile Films by decree to develop a national film industry.

Defends the Second Army at the River Orel against Russian counter-attack

In 2 days destroys 100 Russian tanks & holds an important sector near the Ssush River

The Soviet High Command, Stavka, try to break Rendulics defenses with 400 tanks. The Russians are driven back, 300 Russian tanks destroyed

The Russians launch a 3rd attack against Rendulic but are drive back

The Russian fail to take Orel

Ariete moves north under Arena in an attempt to contain the widening British breakthrough.

Laval proclaims on that he," hoped for German victory because without it tomorrow Bolshevism will be everywhere". Laval goes on the radio to announce la Releve , under which the Germans agree to free one French prisoner for every three French workers who volunteer for work in Germany

Appointed Colonel General

Appointed Colonel General

Arena becomes acting commander of Ariete after De Stefanis moves to corps command.

De Stefanis assumes command of the Ariete Armoured Division during the North African campaign.

Infante assumes command of Ariete during the defensive phase around El Alamein.

Brunetti assumes command of Brescia during the final days before the British offensive at El Alamein.

Predieri assumes command of the Brescia Division on the El Alamein front.

Bignami assumes acting command of Folgore after Frattini leaves the division.

Frattini assumes command of the Folgore parachute division before its deployment to North Africa.

Becuzzi assumes temporary command of the Littorio Armoured Division during the summer fighting in Egypt.

Boselli assumes command of the Pasubio Division during the deteriorating winter situation on the Don.

Olmi takes acting command of the Pasubio Division while it serves with the Italian 8th Army in Russia.

Dupont assumes command of the Ravenna Division while it is deployed on the Don.

La Ferla takes command of the Trieste Motorised Division in Egypt.

De Stefanis leaves divisional command and takes over XX Corps during the Axis advance into Egypt.

Zingales takes command of the former CSIR formation, redesignated XXXV Corps, within Gariboldi's 8th Army.

Appointed SOE Commander of the Independent French

Appointed SOE Commander of the Independent French

Appointed Commander in Chief for the West, replaces Witzleben

Appointed Commander in Chief for the West, replaces Witzleben

Appointed Commander in Chief, NKVD

Appointed Commander of 10 Corps of the Eighth Army by Montgomery

Appointed Commander of 10 Corps of the Eighth Army by Montgomery

Appointed Commander of the 6th Army

Appointed Commander of the 6th Army

Appointed Commander of the Burma Corps

Appointed Commander of the Burma Corps

Appointed Commander of the 8th Army in New Guinea

Appointed Commander of the 8th Army in New Guinea

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army

Arrives at Cairo to take command of the Eighth Army

Arrives at Cairo to take command of the Eighth Army

Takes over active command of the Eighth Army

Takes over active command of the Eighth Army

While on the Eastern Front, Weidling is appointed to Commander of the 86th Infantry Division

While on the Eastern Front, Weidling is appointed to Commander of the 86th Infantry Division

Appointed Commander of the Ninth Army

Appointed Commander of the Ninth Army

Appointed Commander of the Sixty Second Army

Appointed Commander of the Sixty Second Army to hold the Germans west of the River Don

Appointedmand the front from Stalingrad to Kalmyk in the south west

Appointedmand the front from Stalingrad to Kalmyk in the south west

Appointed Commander of the Stalingrad front by Stalin

Yeremenko is appointed to command the entire Stalingrad front by Stalin

Appoints Eisenhower as the Commander of the US forces in Europe

Appoints Eisenhower as the Commander of the US forces in Europe

Appointed Commander of XXIV Panzer Corps

Appointed Commander of XXIV Panzer Corps

Appointed Commander of XXX Corps in the Eighth Army by Montgomery

Appointed Commander of XXX Corps in the Eighth Army by Montgomery

Appointed Commander of the US Naval forces in Europe

Appointed Commander of the US Naval forces in Europe

Hitler issued a Kommandobefehl (Commando Order) that proscribed any Allied personnel captured in commando raids would be executed

Jodl signs the covering memorandum transmitting Hitler's criminal Commando Order.

Jodl's staff transmits a restricted explanation concerning implementation of the Commando Order.

Calls for comprehensive health services in postwar reconstruction.

85% of Polish Jews have been transported to concentration camps

During the Wannsee Conference the procedures of the elimination of the European Jews are discussed, shortly after this conference, the elimination camps of Chelmno, Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka, Majdanek and Auschwitz-Birkenau begin their work

At a General Staff Conference the US is given the task of planning entry into Europe. At a General Staff Conference the US is given planning mobilization in Britain

Takes minutes at the Wansee Conference. Summoned by Heydrich to discuss Jewish extermination. Later travels throughout Europe to witness the Wansee decisions

Chairs the Conference which sets in motion the "Final Solution of the Jewish question"

The Conference sets in motion the "Final Solution of the Jewish question". During the Wannsee Conference the procedures of the elimination of the European Jews are discussed, shortly after this conference, the elimination camps of Chelmno, Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka, Majdanek and Auschwitz-Birkenau begin their work

Declaration 26 not to conclude a separate armistice, becomes the basis for the foundation of the United Nations

Declaration 26 not to conclude a separate armistice, becomes the basis for the foundation of the United Nations. 26 Allied countries sign the United Nations Declaration following the principles of the Atlantic Charter

An allied pact becomes the United Nations

Molotov receives military assistance & economic aid. A second front is established & atomic research is intensified. An allied pact becomes the United Nations

Molotov gains military assistance & economic aid. A 2nd front is established & atomic research intensified

An allied pact becomes the United Nations

Declaration by 26 Allies not to conclude a separate armistice. An allied pact becomes the United Nations

A pact made at the Washington Conference becomes the nucleus of the United Nations

Declaration by 26 Allies not to conclude a separate armistice. A pact made at the Washington Conference becomes the nucleus of the United Nations

Molotov gains military assistance & economic aid. A 2nd front is established & atomic research intensified

Records and later prepares the conference protocol.

Asks voters to release the government from its anti-conscription pledge.

Gariboldi reorganises ARMIR's defensive deployment after the August fighting and maintains the army along the Don.

Kerensky continues political activity connected with constituent assembly plans.

The style of the Head of State was changed to Fuhrer des Groadeutschen Reiches (Leader of the Greater German Reich)

Yamaguchi directs Hiryu's surviving air group in two counterstrikes that badly damage USS Yorktown.

The Allies capture Bardia

Hara's Carrier Division Five loses operational strength after Shokaku is badly damaged by American dive bombers.

Declaration by 26 Allies not to conclude a separate armistice, the pact becomes the UN

USA declares war on Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania

USA declares war on Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania

USA declares war on Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania

Faces the threat of an Axis advance toward Alexandria as Rommel reaches El Alamein.

Bignami's Folgore defends the southern sector against repeated British attacks during the opening of the El Alamein offensive.

Battisti's Cuneense holds positions on the northern Italian front while the wider ARMIR line begins to collapse farther south.

Pellegrini's Sforzesca Division holds a sector of the Don during the first defensive battles faced by ARMIR.

Reverberi's Tridentina maintains its Alpine Corps positions while Soviet operations threaten the flanks of the Italian deployment.

Ricagno's Julia remains committed on the Don as Soviet pressure intensifies against the Italian 8th Army.

Establishes a defensive line from Prome to Toungoo & east to the Salween River

Kakuta sails from Ominato with the carrier force assigned to strike the Aleutians during the Midway operation.

Nagumo's four-carrier striking force sails for Midway as the principal offensive element of Yamamoto's plan.

Battisti leaves Cuneo with the divisional command as the Cuneense moves east by rail in a large series of troop trains.

Reverberi's Tridentina is shifted to the left of the Alpine Corps in the Podgornoje area.

Gariboldi deploys the divisions of the 8th Army along a broad defensive sector of the Don.

Littorio suffers catastrophic losses during the British breakthrough and ceases to function as an effective armoured division.

Takes responsibility for Army planning connected with the proposed Dieppe raid before leaving home command.

Jodl's staff reviews the Dieppe raid as evidence of future Allied amphibious threats to Western Europe.

Ciano visits Budapest as Italy maintains Axis diplomatic contacts during the expanding European war.

Advised that he is being relieved of his command of the Eighth Army

Bock is dismissed by the OKW

Dismissed because the 6th Army had not counter-attacked enough at the siege of Kharkov

Dismisses Bock because of his dissaproval of the reorganisation of Army Group Centre

Replaced by Lieutenant General Alexander

Fails to capture Leningrad & is dismissed by Hitler

Fails to capture the Black Sea & the oilfields of the Caucasus & is dismissed

The dismissal provokes the resignation of all the Bishops in Norway. Dismissed for organizing resistance to the puppet Nazi Government

Stalin dismisses Timoshenko

Stalin dismisses Timoshenko

Groves places DuPont in charge of engineering and construction for the plutonium-production project.

The main Eastern Front remains under OKH operational control while Jodl's OKW staff directs other theatres.

Commands the Eighth Army in the recapture of Benghazi

Visits the Eighth Army in north Africa. Auchenlick is dismissed & replaced by Montgomery

Begins rebuilding Eighth Army morale and confidence immediately after arriving in Egypt.

Builds up tanks, artillery, ammunition and transport before the planned offensive at El Alamein.

Eighth Army reaches the El Agheila region after the rapid advance across Cyrenaica.

Contributes intelligence assessment and planning to British operations culminating in the Second Battle of El Alamein.

The S-1 Executive Committee recommends a Tennessee pilot plant based on Lawrence's electromagnetic isotope-separation work.

The First Buhl Government ends in Copenhagen, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Denmark.

The First Olafur Thors Government ends, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Iceland.

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

The Second Stauning Premiership ends in Copenhagen, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Denmark.

Helps restore reading of four-rotor U-boat Enigma as Hut 8 breaks Shark again in December.

Travels to Washington and helps negotiate full collaboration with the U.S. Navy on communications intelligence.

Carries captured U-559 codebooks and Enigma material from the sinking submarine to the British boarding party.

Is selected by NCR to lead engineering of a high-speed U.S. Navy Bombe for four-rotor Enigma.

Commands the U-boat force when four-rotor M4 Enigma is introduced for Atlantic submarine traffic.

Boards sinking U-559 and retrieves Enigma key material before drowning when the submarine founders.

Enters U-559 with Fasson and helps recover documents vital to renewed attacks on four-rotor Naval Enigma.

Works in the Naval Section's U-boat watch as renewed Enigma decrypts begin arriving after the December Shark break.

Visits U.S. Navy cryptanalysts and argues for closer sharing of Enigma results and methods.

Joins Birch in Washington negotiations that strengthen British-American cooperation against Naval Enigma.

Faces the loss of readable U-boat traffic when four-rotor Naval Enigma creates the Shark blackout.

Leaves Hut 8 to become deputy to Dilly Knox in the section attacking Abwehr Enigma.

Works on the specialised Abwehr-Enigma Bombe Funf, installed at Bletchley Park in November.

Contributes to the December recovery of four-rotor Shark, ending a prolonged Naval Enigma blackout.

Eisenhower assumes command of the US Armys European Theatre of Operations (ETOUSA)

Deported to Germany & held there until the end of the war

Moves to South Africa

Homma's forces secure Bataan after the exhausted American and Filipino defenders surrender.

Homma's forces capture Corregidor, ending organized Allied resistance in the Manila Bay defenses.

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army after the fall of Tobruk

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army after the fall of Tobruk

Appointed Field Marshal

Appointed Field Marshal

Has the task of supporting Paulus, given 1 Luftwaffe, 4 panzer & 6 infantry divisions

Has the task of supporting Paulus, given 1 Luftwaffe, 4 panzer & 6 infantry divisions

Appointed Field Marshal after the Capture of Tobruk

Appointed Field Marshal after the Capture of Tobruk

Fecia di Cossato begins another long Atlantic patrol in Tazzoli, continuing operations against Allied merchant shipping.

OKW upgrades its presence in Africa by creating the XC Army Corps in Tunisia & creating a new 5th Panzer Army headquarters under the command of Colonel General Hans-Jurgen von Arnim

Holds a rally in the Albert Hall in front of 10,000 French who sing the "Marseillaise"

Announces on Bastille Day that his movement will be known as "Fighting France"

Birth of Robert William "Bob" Hoskins, Jr

This record states: A surviving copy of the minutes of this meeting was found by the Allies in 1947.

This record states: During the Wannsee Conference the procedures of the elimination of the European Jews are discussed, shortly after this conference, the elimination camps of Chelmno, Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka, Majdanek and Auschwitz-Birkenau begin their work.

This record states: During the conference, there was a discussion held by a group of German Nazi officials to decide on the "Final Solution of the Jewish Question."

This record states: The Conference sets in motion the "Final Solution of the Jewish question".

By spring of 1942, Operation Reinhard began the systematic extermination of the Jews, although hundreds of thousands already had been killed by death squads and in mass pogroms

Begins the First Buhl Government in Copenhagen and serves as Prime Minister of Denmark.

A uranium and graphite pile achieves the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction.

A uranium and graphite pile achieves the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction.

Begins the First Olafur Thors Government and serves as Prime Minister of Iceland.

The splitting of Army Group South enabled the launching of Operation Edelweiss and Operation Fischreiher, the two main thrusts of the Army Groups. Both groups had to achieve their objectives simultaneously.

The success of the initial advance was such that Hitler ordered the 4th Panzer Army south to assist the First Panzer Army to cross the lower Don river.

This assistance was not needed and Kleist later complained that 4th Panzer Army clogged the roads and that if they had carried on toward Stalingrad, they could have taken it in July.

When it turned north again two weeks later, the Soviets had gathered enough forces together at Stalingrad to check its advance

Frames Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor and Idleness as postwar challenges.

Appointed Flotilla Leader

Appointed Flotilla Leader

Bignami receives orders to withdraw the battered Folgore formations after days of defensive fighting in the southern sector.

The Italian 8th Army, known as ARMIR, is activated under Gariboldi for expanded operations on the Eastern Front.

A new frontier-guard infantry regiment is formed at Castel Benito under Di Lorenzo for service in North Africa.

Mohan Singh organizes Indian prisoners of war in Southeast Asia into the first Indian National Army.

Roosevelt approves a greatly increased Manhattan Project cost estimate of about 400 million dollars submitted through Vannevar Bush.

The German offensive commenced on 28 June 1942, with 4th Panzer Army starting its drive towards Voronezh. Due to a chaotic Soviet retreat, the Germans were able to advance rapidly, restoring Wehrmacht confidence for the upcoming major offensive

Forward elements of 4th Panzer Army had reached the Don River near Voronezh and became embroiled in the battle to capture the city

Hitler and von Bock, commander of Army Group South, argued over the next steps in the operation. The heated debate, and continuing Soviet counterattacks, which tied down 4th Panzer Army until 13 July, caused Hitler to lose his temper and dismiss von Bock

The splitting of Army Group South enabled the launching of Operation Edelweiss and Operation Fischreiher, the two main thrusts of the Army Groups. Both groups had to achieve their objectives simultaneously.

The success of the initial advance was such that Hitler ordered the 4th Panzer Army south to assist the First Panzer Army to cross the lower Don river.

This assistance was not needed and Kleist later complained that 4th Panzer Army clogged the roads and that if they had carried on toward Stalingrad, they could have taken it in July.

When it turned north again two weeks later, the Soviets had gathered enough forces together at Stalingrad to check its advance

After defeating the last Soviet counter-attacks, 6th Army resumed its offensive on 2 September, linking up with 4th Panzer Army the following day. On 12 September, the Germans entered Stalingrad

3rd Romanian Army had been transferred from Caucasus on 10 September, to take over Italian positions on the Don, opposite the Soviet bridgeheads. The Romanians were understrength and had only around six modern anti-tank guns per division.

3rd Romanian Army, on the Don River west of Stalingrad, and 4th Romanian Army, south-east of Stalingrad, had been under constant Soviet attack since September.

The Soviets launched Operation Uranus, a two-pronged counter-offensive against the flanks of 6th Army. With the battle for the city and the exhaustion of 4th Panzer Army, the flanks were mainly guarded by Romanian, Hungarian and Italian soldiers.

The bulk of the German tank reserve, the 48th Panzer Corps, consisted of about 180 tanks, half being obsolete Panzer 35(t)s. The two Romanian armies were routed and 6th Army, with parts of 4th Panzer Army, were encircled in Stalingrad

Jodl monitors OKW planning for the defence of occupied France against an expected Allied return.

Receives a patent with George Antheil for frequency-hopping communication.

Submits plans to von Bock to eliminate the Barvenkovo salient

45: reorganized Army Group South into two smaller Army Groups, A and B; directed Army Group A to advance to the Caucasus and capture the oil fields (Operation Edelweis); directed Army Group B to attack towards the Volga and Stalingrad (Operation Fischreiher)

Believing that the main Soviet threat had been eliminated, short of oil and needing to meet all the of Case Blue, Hitler makes changes to the Fuhrer Directive No.

Logistics lines were already at breaking point with ammunition and fuel shortages most apparent and it would be impossible to advance using the conservative supply rates he demanded.

The new directive created enormous logistical difficulties, with Hitler expecting both Army Groups to advance along different routes.

There is no evidence Hitler was opposed by, or received complaints from Franz Halder, the Chief of the General Staff, or anyone else, about the directive until August 1942.

Roosevelt approves detailed plans for full-scale production facilities and atomic-weapon development.

Appoints Legentilhomme High Commissioner of Madagascar

Yeremenko is appointed to command the entire Stalingrad front by Stalin

Yeremenko is appointed to command the entire Stalingrad front by Stalin

The OPA imposes broad price ceilings to restrain wartime inflation.

Fecia di Cossato receives a German decoration after successful Atlantic submarine operations conducted from the Betasom base.

Cavallero attends Mussolini's Gorizia conference with commanders responsible for operations in Slovenia and adjacent occupied territory.

Mussolini convenes senior Italian commanders at Gorizia to review the military situation in occupied Yugoslav territory.

Forms a Wafd government after British pressure at Abdeen Palace before the El Alamein campaign.

Speaks during Commons consideration of the Anglo-Soviet treaty of alliance.

Tanaka escorts fast transports carrying reinforcements toward Guadalcanal during the naval battle for the island.

Dies during airborne radar testing after major electronics work.

The Beveridge scheme for compulsory social insurance is announced

Provides data used in planning continent-wide deportations.

Code name given to the Nazi plan to murder Polish Jews in the General Government, marks the beginning of the most deadly phase of the Holocaust, the use of extermination camps

The Military Policy Committee decides to bypass pilot stages for major production methods and proceed directly toward industrial-scale plants.

The Allies invade Algeria & Tunisia

Plans the naval landings for British & American forces at Algiers, Oran & Casablance

Begins the Japanese invasion of Burma

Helps the Japanese invade Burma after being promised Burmas independence from Britain

Begins to defend the Prome-Toungoo Line

Withdraws to India with his Burmese Corps

Extends Operation Blue for the 6th Army to occupy Stalingrad & invade the Caucasus

Manstein captures Sevastopol

Arrives at Rommels HQ & reluctantly agrees to his continuation into Egypt

Backs German invasion because he believes Cairo will be quickly captured

Malta retains independence & provides an Allied supply route

The Army Felber is given the responsibility for the occupation of the Medierranean

Plans are completed for the German occupation of France

Troops are alerted to the occupation of Vichy France

German troops reach the Spanish border & Mediterranean

Imamura's Sixteenth Army lands on Java as Japan moves to complete the conquest of the Netherlands East Indies.

Commences the invasion of Libya

Forces the British back as far as Singapore Island

Calls off an invasion of Malta in order to support the Germans in Egypt, a mistake

Launches the Midway invasion believing there are no US carriers in the central Pacific

By the end of Feb there are over 1 million German losses. By the end of Feb German forces are driven 200 miles from Moscow

Army Group Centre would conduct holding attacks, Army Group North would capture Leningrad and link with Finland, and Army Group South would capture the Caucasus.

Hitler laid out the elements of the plan now known as "Case Blue" (Fall Blau) in Fuhrer Directive No. 41.

Hitler's HQ issues orders for the "final victory in the East."

The directive set the 1942 summer campaign's goals on Germany's Eastern Front.

Case Blue is a continuation of the previous years Operation Barbarossa, intended to knock the Soviet Union out of the war, and involved a two-pronged attack against the oil fields of Baku as well as an advance in the direction of Stalingrad along the Volga

River, to cover the flanks of the advance towards Baku

The German Armed Forces (Wehrmacht) 1942 strategic summer offensive in southern Russia between 28 June and 24 November 1942.

The German offensive commenced on 28 June 1942, with 4th Panzer Army starting its drive towards Voronezh. Due to a chaotic Soviet retreat, the Germans were able to advance rapidly, restoring Wehrmacht confidence for the upcoming major offensive.

Forward elements of 4th Panzer Army had reached the Don River near Voronezh and became embroiled in the battle to capture the city

As part of the second phase of the operation, on 9 July, Army Group South was split into Army Group A and B with Wilhelm List appointed as commander of Army Group A in place of von Bock

Hitler and von Bock, commander of Army Group South, argued over the next steps in the operation. The heated debate, and continuing Soviet counterattacks, which tied down 4th Panzer Army until 13 July, caused Hitler to lose his temper and dismiss von Bock

Hitler moves his HQ to Vinnitsa in the Ukraine

The Germans began to suffer logistics difficulties, which slowed down the tempo of the advance. The German 6th Army was continually delayed by fuel shortages. Eight days later, on 20 July, shortages of fuel were still undermining operations, leaving many units unable to execute their orders

With air support from the Ju 87s of Sturzkampfgeschwader 77, Lists Army Group A recaptured Rostov, the "gate to the Caucasus"

The Swastika is raised over Mount Elbrus

The 6th Army crossed the Don and Army Group B established a defensive line on one of its bends.The 6th Army reached the northern suburbs of Stalingrad later that day, beginning the Battle of Stalingrad

45: reorganized Army Group South into two smaller Army Groups, A and B; directed Army Group A to advance to the Caucasus and capture the oil fields (Operation Edelweis); directed Army Group B to attack towards the Volga and Stalingrad (Operation Fischreiher)

Believing that the main Soviet threat had been eliminated, short of oil and needing to meet all the of Case Blue, Hitler makes changes to the Fuhrer Directive No.

Logistics lines were already at breaking point with ammunition and fuel shortages most apparent and it would be impossible to advance using the conservative supply rates he demanded.

The new directive created enormous logistical difficulties, with Hitler expecting both Army Groups to advance along different routes.

There is no evidence Hitler was opposed by, or received complaints from Franz Halder, the Chief of the General Staff, or anyone else, about the directive until August 1942.

The Germans reach Ordzhonikidze, the most easterly part of the invasion

After defeating the last Soviet counter-attacks, 6th Army resumed its offensive on 2 September, linking up with 4th Panzer Army the following day. On 12 September, the Germans entered Stalingrad

In the Chancellery says Russia will be defeated in 1943 by a push in the Spring

Hitler came to recognise that the capture of the Caucasus oil fields was unlikely before the Russian Winter forced the German forces to take up winter positions. Unable to capture them, he was determined to deny them to the enemy and ordered the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL) to inflict as much damage as possible

The Soviet counter-offensive at Stalingrad compelled von Richthofen to once more withdraw his units north to the Volga and bring an end to the aerial offensive

3rd Romanian Army had been transferred from Caucasus on 10 September, to take over Italian positions on the Don, opposite the Soviet bridgeheads. The Romanians were understrength and had only around six modern anti-tank guns per division.

3rd Romanian Army, on the Don River west of Stalingrad, and 4th Romanian Army, south-east of Stalingrad, had been under constant Soviet attack since September.

Hitler ordered 6th Army to remain on the defensive, rather than try to break out. It was intended the army would be supplied by air, but the quantity of supplies necessary was far beyond the ability of the Luftwaffe to carry. 6th Armys strength diminished and the Soviets gained the upper hand inside the city

The Soviets launched Operation Uranus, a two-pronged counter-offensive against the flanks of 6th Army. With the battle for the city and the exhaustion of 4th Panzer Army, the flanks were mainly guarded by Romanian, Hungarian and Italian soldiers.

The bulk of the German tank reserve, the 48th Panzer Corps, consisted of about 180 tanks, half being obsolete Panzer 35(t)s. The two Romanian armies were routed and 6th Army, with parts of 4th Panzer Army, were encircled in Stalingrad.

The Case Blue offensive saw gains, with an advance into the Caucasus capturing large areas of land and several oil fields. However, the Red Army defeated the Germans at Stalingrad, following Operations Uranus and Little Saturn. This defeat forced the Axis to retreat from the Caucasus. Only the city of Kursk and the Kuban region remained tentatively occupied by Axis troops

During the German relief operation at Stalingrad, Soviet forces had been redeployed, lesser objectives substituted, and the operation renamed "Little Saturn".

Following the success of Operation Uranus, the Red Army began Operation Saturn, to cut off Army Group A and all troops east of Rostov.

Spearheaded by some of the first Tiger tanks, the offensive got within 48 km (30 mi) of the southern 6th Army front, but the Germans made no attempt to break out.

The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army. A relief operation called Operation Winter Storm began.

The failure was followed by a siege that lasted for almost three months, during which 6th Army was destroyed

Plans a counter-offensive at the meeting of the Stavka & State Defence Committee

Moves HQ to Sicily for an Allied invasion

The first shipment of irradiated uranium, about 300 pounds, arrives at the Metallurgical Laboratory for plutonium research.

Deportations of Slovak Jews to Nazi-controlled camps begin.

Forces all Jews to wear a star & have their passports marked with a J

Kellex is organised to design the gaseous-diffusion plant, with Percival Keith directing work on plant engineering and diffusion barriers.

Serves with the Southwestern Front leadership during the failed Soviet offensive near Kharkov.

Horii directs the Japanese advance over the Owen Stanley Range toward Port Moresby.

Horii's South Seas Detachment lands near Buna to begin the Japanese overland advance toward Port Moresby.

Ichiki lands the first echelon of his detachment east of the American perimeter on Guadalcanal.

Arena reports that Ariete has been surrounded and its tanks are still fighting as British armour breaks through.

Messe relinquishes command of the former CSIR and XXXV Corps after prolonged service on the Eastern Front.

The "Leningrad Symphony" is premiered by a half-starved orchestra

German forces destroy Lidice after Heydrich's assassination.

Appointed Lieutenant General in the Afrika Korps

Appointed Lieutenant General in the Afrika Korps

Appointed Lieutenant

Appointed Lieutenant

Appointed Lieutenant Colonel

Appointed Lieutenant Colonel

Appointed Lieutenant General

Appointed Lieutenant General

Operation Lightfoot is launched to recapture north Africa

Conducts a mission to London to improve coordination between American and British military planning.

Is selected to direct bomb-design work at Los Alamos.

Aoki commands Akagi when American dive bombers fatally damage the carrier during the Battle of Midway.

Abe withdraws after Hiei is crippled in the night battle and later lost to repeated American air attacks.

Kaku commands Hiryu when American dive bombers fatally damage the last operational Japanese carrier at Midway.

Yanagimoto commands Soryu when American dive bombers mortally damage the carrier during the Battle of Midway.

Zelik and the entire crew of Scirè are killed when the submarine is sunk off Haifa during a special-operations mission.

Has the task of supporting Paulus, given 1 Luftwaffe, 4 panzer & 6 infantry divisions

Has the task of supporting Paulus, given 1 Luftwaffe, 4 panzer & 6 infantry divisions

After the Luftwaffe attack Stalingrad & kill 40,000 Pauluss 6th Army attack

Appointed Major General

Appointed Major General

Promoted to the rank of Major General (Generalmajor)

Promoted to the rank of Major General (Generalmajor)

After the fall of Tobruk, Cavallero's preferred plan to seize Malta is displaced by the decision to continue the advance into Egypt.

Colonel Leslie Groves is assigned command of the Manhattan Engineering District

A team led by Enrico Fermi, for whom Fermilab is named, initiate the first artificial self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction in an experimental nuclear reactor named Chicago Pile-1

Leads a team which creates the 1st controlled nuclear reaction. Chicago Pile-1, the first nuclear reactor goes critical at the University of Chicago under the leadership and design of Enrico Fermi

A constructed graphite pile is designed to produce weapons-grade plutonium.

A team led by Enrico Fermi, for whom Fermilab is named, initiate the first artificial self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction in an experimental nuclear reactor named Chicago Pile-1.

Chicago Pile-1, the first nuclear reactor goes critical at the University of Chicago under the leadership and design of Enrico Fermi.

Completes the construction of a nuclear reactor at the University of Chicago.

Leads a team which creates the first controlled nuclear reaction.

Starts the first nuclear chain reaction. Completes the construction of a nuclear reactor at the University of Chicago. A constructed graphite pile is designed to produce weapons-grade plutonium

Leads a team which creates the 1st controlled nuclear reaction. A team led by Enrico Fermi, for whom Fermilab is named, initiate the first artificial self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction in an experimental nuclear reactor named Chicago Pile-1

Takes command of the Manhattan Project.

Groves appoints Oppenheimer to head the project's secret weapons laboratory

Colonel Leslie Groves is assigned command of the Manhattan Engineering District

Groves purchases 52,000 acres (210 km) of land in Tennessee for "Site X", which will become the Oak Ridge, Tennessee laboratory and production site

The Manhattan Project is given permission to use the highest wartime priority rating by the War Production Board

Leslie Richard Groves appoints Robert Oppenheimer to coordinate the scientific research of the project at the "Site Y" laboratory

Groves and Oppenheimer visit Los Alamos, New Mexico and designate it as the location for "Site Y

Oppenheimer is given the title "Coordinator of Rapid Rupture", specifically referring to the propagation of a fast neutron chain reaction in an atomic bomb

Groves appoints Oppenheimer to head the project's secret weapons laboratory

Robert Oppenheimer convenes a summer conference at the University of California, Berkeley to discuss the design of a fission bomb, Edward Teller brings up the possibility of a hydrogen bomb as a major point of discussion

Robert Oppenheimer convenes a summer conference at the University of California, Berkeley to discuss the design of a fission bomb, Edward Teller brings up the possibility of a hydrogen bomb as a major point of discussion

At a meeting of the S-1 Executive Committee, it is decided that a centralized laboratory should be established to study fast neutrons, code-named "Project Y"

Leslie Richard Groves appoints Robert Oppenheimer to coordinate the scientific research of the project at the "Site Y" laboratory

Groves and Oppenheimer visit Los Alamos, New Mexico and designate it as the location for "Site Y

Robert Oppenheimer convenes a summer conference at the University of California, Berkeley to discuss the design of a fission bomb, Edward Teller brings up the possibility of a hydrogen bomb as a major point of discussion

Robert Oppenheimer convenes a summer conference at the University of California, Berkeley to discuss the design of a fission bomb, Edward Teller brings up the possibility of a hydrogen bomb as a major point of discussion

Marries Mickey Rooney

"the result of the war will be the complete annihilation of the Jews". Celebrates his 9th anniversary of power

Ordered by Hitler after the assassination of Reinard Heydrich. Lidice is raized to the ground. 189 men are shot &184 women are sent to Ravensbruck

150 houses are burned to the ground, 8 people are shot dead

Awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross

Awarded the Oak Leaf to the Knights Cross

Awarded the Knights Cross after the siege of Kharkhov

Churchill visits Auchinleck at the Eighth Army HQ in the Egyptian desert. Agrees to appoint a new Commander for the Eighth Army. Advised he cannot be C-in-C Middle East & Command the Eighth Army

Auchinleck agrees Brookes proposal to make Montgomery Comander of the Eighth Army

Churchill visits Auchinleck at the Eighth Army HQ in the Egyptian desert

Churchill meets Stalin at the Kremlin

Churchill meets Stalin at the Kremlin

Continues the pursuit as withdrawing Axis forces abandon positions around Mersa Matruh.

During a visit to the Metallurgical Laboratory, Groves orders long-delayed engineering decisions for plutonium production to be settled within five days.

Takes over Middle East Command and works with Montgomery to rebuild the Eighth Army before the El Alamein battles.

Yamamoto sorties with the Combined Fleet main body aboard Yamato in support of the Midway operation.

Yamamoto receives orders to conduct the occupation of Midway and key western Aleutian positions.

Appointed Minister of Aircraft Production

Advises the War Cabinet to split-off Persia & Irak from the Middle East Command. Advises the War Cabinet to replace Auchinleck by Alexander. Advises the War Cabinet to appoint Gott as the Commander of the Eighth Army

Splits Army Group South into 2, Army Group A to go into the Caucasus & Army Group B

The Eighth Army reaches Agheila but it cannot be captured from Rommel

Leaves Britain to take command of the Eighth Army

Moves the 6th Army HQ to Kharkov

Helps organize the National Liberation Movement against occupation

Registers for national service

Monitors the North African crisis from Comando Supremo during the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Oversees Axis air and supply efforts while the El Alamein battle strains North African logistics.

Jodl advises Hitler on the strategic consequences of the changing Axis position in North Africa.

Cavallero confronts the military crisis created by the collapse at El Alamein and the urgent need to preserve forces in North Africa.

Orders the principal infantry assault in the north to open routes through Axis defensive belts.

Jodl's staff oversees strategic planning for the defence of occupied Norway against possible Allied attack.

Sees the opening of the first nuclear reactor in a squash court at the Univ of Chicago

Hitler came to recognise that the capture of the Caucasus oil fields was unlikely before the Russian Winter forced the German forces to take up winter positions. Unable to capture them, he was determined to deny them to the enemy and ordered the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL) to inflict as much damage as possible

Directs the command of the West under the OKW & the East under the OKH

Appointed Member of OKH Fuhrer Reserve

Directs the command of the West under the OKW & the East under the OKH

Appointed Member of OKH Fuhrer Reserve

Maruyama's division begins a difficult jungle assault against the southern defenses of Henderson Field.

Jodl's operations staff assumes broader responsibility for theatres facing the Western Allies outside the main Eastern Front.

Anti-partisan operation centreed on the Chechivichi region of Belarus begun

Is mortally wounded by Czechoslovak parachutists.

Supports deception measures intended to disguise the timing and main direction of the coming Alamein offensive.

British airborne planning supports the Bruneval radar raid.

British paratroops seize components from a German Wurzburg radar.

Dismantles Wurzburg radar components during the raid.

Commands paratroopers in the Bruneval radar raid.

Seeks intelligence on German Wurzburg radar capabilities.

Combined Operations supports the Bruneval radar raid.

Opposes Hitler's plans to split Operation Blue into 2 parts

Launched by Hitler to advance on Stalingrad & cut off Timoshenkos troops

Diverts some of the forces from Operation Blue so that the Caucasus can be captured

Orders the capture of the Grozny oilfields in the Caucus

US and British military commanders discuss the build-up of US forces in the UK for an eventual invasion of German-occupied Europe, the build-up phase is codenamed Bolero

Cavallero presses plans for the projected Axis assault on Malta, known in Italy as Operation C3, during high-level talks with Germany.

Hitler laid out the elements of the plan now known as "Case Blue" (Fall Blau) in Fuhrer Directive No. 41. The directive stated the main goals of the 1942 summer campaign on Germany's Eastern Front: holding attacks for Army Group (AG) Centre, the capture of Leningrad and the link-up with Finland for AG North, and the capture of the Caucasus region for Army Group South

Case Blue is a continuation of the previous years Operation Barbarossa, intended to knock the Soviet Union out of the war, and involved a two-pronged attack against the oil fields of Baku as well as an advance in the direction of Stalingrad along the Volga

River, to cover the flanks of the advance towards Baku

The German Armed Forces (Wehrmacht) 1942 strategic summer offensive in southern Russia between 28 June and 24 November 1942.

The German offensive commenced on 28 June 1942, with 4th Panzer Army starting its drive towards Voronezh. Due to a chaotic Soviet retreat, the Germans were able to advance rapidly, restoring Wehrmacht confidence for the upcoming major offensive.

Forward elements of 4th Panzer Army had reached the Don River near Voronezh and became embroiled in the battle to capture the city

As part of the second phase of the operation, on 9 July, Army Group South was split into Army Group A and B with Wilhelm List appointed as commander of Army Group A in place of von Bock

Hitler and von Bock, commander of Army Group South, argued over the next steps in the operation. The heated debate, and continuing Soviet counterattacks, which tied down 4th Panzer Army until 13 July, caused Hitler to lose his temper and dismiss von Bock

The Germans began to suffer logistics difficulties, which slowed down the tempo of the advance. The German 6th Army was continually delayed by fuel shortages. Eight days later, on 20 July, shortages of fuel were still undermining operations, leaving many units unable to execute their orders

With air support from the Ju 87s of Sturzkampfgeschwader 77, Lists Army Group A recaptured Rostov, the "gate to the Caucasus"

The 6th Army crossed the Don and Army Group B established a defensive line on one of its bends.The 6th Army reached the northern suburbs of Stalingrad later that day, beginning the Battle of Stalingrad

45: reorganized Army Group South into two smaller Army Groups, A and B; directed Army Group A to advance to the Caucasus and capture the oil fields (Operation Edelweis); directed Army Group B to attack towards the Volga and Stalingrad (Operation Fischreiher)

Believing that the main Soviet threat had been eliminated, short of oil and needing to meet all the of Case Blue, Hitler makes changes to the Fuhrer Directive No.

Logistics lines were already at breaking point with ammunition and fuel shortages most apparent and it would be impossible to advance using the conservative supply rates he demanded.

The new directive created enormous logistical difficulties, with Hitler expecting both Army Groups to advance along different routes.

There is no evidence Hitler was opposed by, or received complaints from Franz Halder, the Chief of the General Staff, or anyone else, about the directive until August 1942.

After defeating the last Soviet counter-attacks, 6th Army resumed its offensive on 2 September, linking up with 4th Panzer Army the following day. On 12 September, the Germans entered Stalingrad

Hitler came to recognise that the capture of the Caucasus oil fields was unlikely before the Russian Winter forced the German forces to take up winter positions. Unable to capture them, he was determined to deny them to the enemy and ordered the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL) to inflict as much damage as possible

The Soviet counter-offensive at Stalingrad compelled von Richthofen to once more withdraw his units north to the Volga and bring an end to the aerial offensive

3rd Romanian Army had been transferred from Caucasus on 10 September, to take over Italian positions on the Don, opposite the Soviet bridgeheads. The Romanians were understrength and had only around six modern anti-tank guns per division.

3rd Romanian Army, on the Don River west of Stalingrad, and 4th Romanian Army, south-east of Stalingrad, had been under constant Soviet attack since September.

Hitler ordered 6th Army to remain on the defensive, rather than try to break out. It was intended the army would be supplied by air, but the quantity of supplies necessary was far beyond the ability of the Luftwaffe to carry. 6th Armys strength diminished and the Soviets gained the upper hand inside the city

The Soviets launched Operation Uranus, a two-pronged counter-offensive against the flanks of 6th Army. With the battle for the city and the exhaustion of 4th Panzer Army, the flanks were mainly guarded by Romanian, Hungarian and Italian soldiers.

The bulk of the German tank reserve, the 48th Panzer Corps, consisted of about 180 tanks, half being obsolete Panzer 35(t)s. The two Romanian armies were routed and 6th Army, with parts of 4th Panzer Army, were encircled in Stalingrad.

The Case Blue offensive saw gains, with an advance into the Caucasus capturing large areas of land and several oil fields. However, the Red Army defeated the Germans at Stalingrad, following Operations Uranus and Little Saturn. This defeat forced the Axis to retreat from the Caucasus. Only the city of Kursk and the Kuban region remained tentatively occupied by Axis troops

During the German relief operation at Stalingrad, Soviet forces had been redeployed, lesser objectives substituted, and the operation renamed "Little Saturn".

Following the success of Operation Uranus, the Red Army began Operation Saturn, to cut off Army Group A and all troops east of Rostov.

Spearheaded by some of the first Tiger tanks, the offensive got within 48 km (30 mi) of the southern 6th Army front, but the Germans made no attempt to break out.

The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army. A relief operation called Operation Winter Storm began.

The failure was followed by a siege that lasted for almost three months, during which 6th Army was destroyed

A naval and commando raid on the St Nazaire (Operation Chariot) succeeds at badly damaging the ports dry dock and denying it German navy capital ships

The splitting of Army Group South enabled the launching of Operation Edelweiss and Operation Fischreiher, the two main thrusts of the Army Groups. Both groups had to achieve their objectives simultaneously.

The success of the initial advance was such that Hitler ordered the 4th Panzer Army south to assist the First Panzer Army to cross the lower Don river.

This assistance was not needed and Kleist later complained that 4th Panzer Army clogged the roads and that if they had carried on toward Stalingrad, they could have taken it in July.

When it turned north again two weeks later, the Soviets had gathered enough forces together at Stalingrad to check its advance

Believing that the main Soviet threat had been eliminated, short of oil and needing to meet all the of Case Blue, Hitler makes changes to the Fuhrer Directive No. 45: reorganized Army Group South into two.

smaller Army Groups, A and B; directed Army Group A to advance to the Caucasus and capture the oil fields (Operation Edelweis); directed Army Group B to attack towards the Volga and Stalingrad (Operation Fischreiher).

The splitting of Army Group South enabled the launching of Operation Edelweiss and Operation Fischreiher, the two main thrusts of the Army Groups. Both groups had to achieve their objectives simultaneously.

The success of the initial advance was such that Hitler ordered the 4th Panzer Army south to assist the First Panzer Army to cross the lower Don river.

This assistance was not needed and Kleist later complained that 4th Panzer Army clogged the roads and that if they had carried on toward Stalingrad, they could have taken it in July.

When it turned north again two weeks later, the Soviets had gathered enough forces together at Stalingrad to check its advance

Believing that the main Soviet threat had been eliminated, short of oil and needing to meet all the of Case Blue, Hitler makes changes to the Fuhrer Directive No. 45: reorganized Army Group South into two.

smaller Army Groups, A and B; directed Army Group A to advance to the Caucasus and capture the oil fields (Operation Edelweis); directed Army Group B to attack towards the Volga and Stalingrad (Operation Fischreiher).

The British propose "Operation Gymnast," the invasion of French North Africa

Da Zara sails from Palermo with the 7th Naval Division to intercept the British Harpoon convoy approaching Malta.

Agrees with Britain to appoint Legentilhomme High Commissioner of Madagascar

Begins Operation Lightfoot, the infantry and artillery opening phase of the Second Battle of El Alamein.

The Case Blue offensive saw gains, with an advance into the Caucasus capturing large areas of land and several oil fields. However, the Red Army defeated the Germans at Stalingrad, following Operations Uranus and Little Saturn. This defeat forced the Axis to retreat from the Caucasus. Only the city of Kursk and the Kuban region remained tentatively occupied by Axis troops

Following the success of Operation Uranus, the Red Army began Operation Saturn, to cut off Army Group A and all troops east of Rostov. During the German relief operation at Stalingrad, Soviet forces had been redeployed, lesser objectives substituted, and the operation renamed "Little Saturn". The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army

Studies plans written by the British & USA Combined-Chiefs of Staff

Named in memory of Reinhard Heydrich, coordinator of the Endlosung der Judenfrage (Final Solution of the Jewish Question), extermination of the Jews living in the European countries occupied by the German 3rd Reich

By spring of 1942, Operation Reinhard began the systematic extermination of the Jews, although hundreds of thousands already had been killed by death squads and in mass pogroms

Code name given to the Nazi plan to murder Polish Jews in the General Government, marks the beginning of the most deadly phase of the Holocaust, the use of extermination camps.

During the operation, as many as two million people are murdered in Belzec, Sobibor and Treblinka, almost all of whom were Jews.

Named in memory of Reinhard Heydrich, coordinator of the Endlosung der Judenfrage (Final Solution of the Jewish Question), extermination of the Jews living in the European countries occupied by the German 3rd Reich.

The Americans wish to launch Operation Sledgehammer in France directly against Germany. Sledgehammer is dropped in favour of Operation Torch, preferred by the British. General Marshall, Admiral King & Harry Hopkins discuss "Sledgehammer" at Chequers. Churchill refuses to co-operate & inisists on an invasion of North Africa instead

The Dieppe raid is defeated, concerns about Operation Sledgehammer are confirmed

Launches Operation Supercharge to break through the Axis position west of El Alamein.

Churchill and Roosevelt meet and agree to attack German forces in North Africa (Operation Torch) before launching invasion of Continental Europe, Torch serves to stall Bolero troop build-up in UK

Allied forces land in Morocco and Algeria (Operation Torch)

1st day of Operation Torch

Commands the Allied landings in French North Africa, indirectly securing the Mediterranean route to Egypt and the Suez Canal.

American troops land at Casablanca, Oran & Algiers overcoming Vichy resistance

Supports Operation Torch, which opens a western front in North Africa and eases pressure on Egypt and Suez.

The Allies launch Operation Torch & jointly invade north Africa

Churchill and Roosevelt meet and agree to attack German forces in North Africa (Operation Torch) before launching invasion of Continental Europe, Torch serves to stall Bolero troop build-up in UK

Jodl evaluates the strategic effect of Allied landings in French North Africa on Axis positions in the Mediterranean.

Mussolini faces a new strategic emergency when Anglo-American forces land in French North Africa during Operation Torch.

3rd Romanian Army had been transferred from Caucasus on 10 September, to take over Italian positions on the Don, opposite the Soviet bridgeheads. The Romanians were understrength and had only around six modern anti-tank guns per division.

3rd Romanian Army, on the Don River west of Stalingrad, and 4th Romanian Army, south-east of Stalingrad, had been under constant Soviet attack since September.

The Soviets launched Operation Uranus, a two-pronged counter-offensive against the flanks of 6th Army. With the battle for the city and the exhaustion of 4th Panzer Army, the flanks were mainly guarded by Romanian, Hungarian and Italian soldiers.

The bulk of the German tank reserve, the 48th Panzer Corps, consisted of about 180 tanks, half being obsolete Panzer 35(t)s. The two Romanian armies were routed and 6th Army, with parts of 4th Panzer Army, were encircled in Stalingrad

The Case Blue offensive saw gains, with an advance into the Caucasus capturing large areas of land and several oil fields. However, the Red Army defeated the Germans at Stalingrad, following Operations Uranus and Little Saturn. This defeat forced the Axis to retreat from the Caucasus. Only the city of Kursk and the Kuban region remained tentatively occupied by Axis troops

Following the success of Operation Uranus, the Red Army began Operation Saturn, to cut off Army Group A and all troops east of Rostov. During the German relief operation at Stalingrad, Soviet forces had been redeployed, lesser objectives substituted, and the operation renamed "Little Saturn". The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army

The threat from Iachino's battle fleet contributes to the British decision to turn the Vigorous convoy back toward Alexandria.

A relief operation called Operation Winter Storm began. Spearheaded by some of the first Tiger tanks, the offensive got within 48 km (30 mi) of the southern 6th Army front, but the Germans made no attempt to break out. The failure was followed by a siege that lasted for almost three months, during which 6th Army was destroyed

Appointed Assistant Chief of Staff in charge of the Operations Division for Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall.

Britain, the USA, China & 22 Allies agree not to make a separate peace with Germany

Britain, the USA, China & 22 Allies agree not to make a separate peace with Germany

China joins the United States, Britain, Soviet Union and other Allies in the Declaration by United Nations, pledging not to make a separate peace.

Britain, the USA, China & 22 Allies agree not to make a separate peace with Germany

The Court handed down an enormous number of death sentences under Judge-President Roland Freisler

Appointed Plenipotentiary for Labour Allocation

Appointed Plenipotentiary for Labour Allocation

Seaborg warns that plutonium's alpha activity can make light-element impurities a serious unwanted neutron source.

By spring of 1942, Operation Reinhard began the systematic extermination of the Jews, although hundreds of thousands already had been killed by death squads and in mass pogroms

France fully supports the Allies after the German occupation of Vichy France

Opinion polls show half the population is dissatisfied with the conduct of the war

Refuses pressure for an early offensive while Eighth Army is still training and accumulating supplies.

Appointed President of Argentina after the resignation of Roberto Marcelino Ortiz

Appointed Presidenr of Argentina

Takes office as President of Chile during the Second World War.

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

Appointed Prime Minister of Iceland

Appointed Prime Minister of Iceland

A puppet of the German Reichskommissar, Josef Terboven. Appointed Minister of President of the State Council the Germans

A puppet of the German Reichskommissar, Josef Terboven. Appointed Minister of President of the State Council the Germans

Appointed Prime Minister of Turkey

At a meeting of the S-1 Executive Committee, it is decided that a centralized laboratory should be established to study fast neutrons, code-named "Project Y"

At a meeting of the S-1 Executive Committee, it is decided that a centralized laboratory should be established to study fast neutrons, code-named "Project Y"

Groves is promoted to brigadier general shortly after taking command of the Manhattan Engineer District.

Is promoted to lieutenant colonel during his service in Middle East military intelligence.

Promoted to temporary Lieutenant General while commanding American forces in the European theatre.

Is promoted to major after assuming responsibilities normally associated with more senior intelligence officers.

Promoted to temporary Major General while serving on the War Department General Staff.

Bastico is promoted to Marshal of Italy while serving as the senior Italian commander in Libya.

Cavallero is promoted to Marshal of Italy while serving as Chief of the Supreme General Staff.

Seaborg isolates pure plutonium using a separation method suitable for development on an industrial scale.

Orders the pursuit westward after the Axis army abandons the El Alamein position.

The Case Blue offensive saw gains, with an advance into the Caucasus capturing large areas of land and several oil fields. However, the Red Army defeated the Germans at Stalingrad, following Operations Uranus and Little Saturn. This defeat forced the Axis to retreat from the Caucasus. Only the city of Kursk and the Kuban region remained tentatively occupied by Axis troops

Following the success of Operation Uranus, the Red Army began Operation Saturn, to cut off Army Group A and all troops east of Rostov. During the German relief operation at Stalingrad, Soviet forces had been redeployed, lesser objectives substituted, and the operation renamed "Little Saturn".

The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army

The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army.

The Red Army begins to encircle the German forces besieging Stalingrad

The Beveridge scheme for compulsory social insurance is announced

Reverberi's Tridentina is moved to help close a dangerous gap that develops in the Italian line during Soviet attacks.

Frattini leaves command of the Folgore Division shortly before the main British offensive at El Alamein.

The Beveridge scheme for compulsory social insurance is announced

Roatta briefs Mussolini and senior commanders on the security and insurgency situation in Slovenia and neighbouring occupied areas.

Resigns as Leader of the House

Mikawa assembles a cruiser force at Rabaul to attack Allied ships supporting the Guadalcanal landings.

American forces surrender and Parker enters Japanese captivity for the remainder of the war.

Ciano's advice reflects growing Italian recognition that the war is becoming unsustainable.

Singapore falls to Japan and about 130,000 Allied personnel become prisoners.

Bastico again has formal authority over Italian forces retreating from Egypt as the Axis withdraws across Libya.

Brunetti's Brescia withdraws westward from El Alamein, much of the division moving on foot under pressure from British forces.

Begins the retreat from El Alamein after the Axis line is broken.

Nebbia commands the remnants of X Corps as surviving formations withdraw from the El Alamein front toward Fuka.

Rejects preparations for further retreat and orders Eighth Army to hold the Alamein position.

Arena returns to command Ariete as the division rebuilds for the next British offensive.

Bitossi resumes command of the Littorio Armoured Division before the decisive autumn fighting at El Alamein.

Ariete returns to the El Alamein front after receiving limited replacement tanks and equipment.

The Act greatly expands the number of Americans subject to federal income tax.

Plans are completed for the German occupation of France

Begins the Scavenius Government in Copenhagen and serves as Prime Minister of Denmark.

Defends the Second Army at the River Orel against Russian counter-attack

Proposes synchronized signal changes to resist radio jamming and interception.

The Allies are forced back to Agedabia

Agedabia is captured by the Germans

Presents Hitler's plans for the conquest of the Caucasus & Russia up the Volga

The raid on Dieppe is postponed because of bad weather

New weapons & methods of amphibious assault are tested which are used during D-Day. Much is learnt for Normandy landings in 1944. Ends in disaster with over 3,000 killed & 2,000 captured out of 6,000

The raid is defeated but Hitler concludes north west France needs more defences. The Canadians conduct a raid on Dieppe

Made responsible for the Army planning for the raid on Dieppe

Troops cannot embark for the raid on Dieppe because of bad weather, it is postponed

Hoth is ordered to move to the Don, the target is the oil wells rather than Stalingrad

Crosses the Donetz toward the oil centres of the Caucus

Bombards Dutch Harbour in the Aleutians to divert the Japanese from the Midway Islands

Timoshenko breaks through Heitzs VIII Corps to within 12 miles of Kharkov

The "Barvenkovo mousetrap" is sprung by Kleist & Paulus, 240,000 Russians are taken

Strikes at the Barvenkovo salient, as ordered by Hitler

The "Barvenkovo mousetrap" is sprung by Kleist & Paulus, 240,000 Russians are taken

Timoshenko calls off his offensive after Kleists advance into the Barvenko salient

The Russians under Timosheko lay siege to Kharkov but call it off after 2 months

Timoshenko breaks through Heitzs VIII Corps to within 12 miles of Kharkov

The "Barvenkovo mousetrap" is sprung by Kleist & Paulus, 240,000 Russians are taken

Timoshenko requests further support from Stalin who just refuses a withdrawal. Kleist counter-attacks & forces Timoshenko back

Timoshenko is forced to call off his attack

Captures the Barvenkovo salient

The Russians under Timosheko lay siege to Kharkov but call it off after 2 months

Timoshenko breaks through Heitzs VIII Corps to within 12 miles of Kharkov. Launches an attack to cut off Kharkov with 640,000 men, 1,200 tanks & 1,000 planes

Timoshenko requests further support from Stalin who just refuses withdrawal. Kleist counter-attacks & forces Timoshenko back

Timoshenko calls off his offensive after Kleists advance into the Barvenko salient. The "Barvenkovo mousetrap" is sprung by Kleist & Paulus, 240,000 Russians are taken

Reaches Maikop, Grozny, Batumi & Baku all appear to be within grasp

Rommel captures Mersa Matruh

By the end of Feb German forces are driven 200 miles from Moscow

Consolidates the front during the retreat from Moscow

The Russians lose 42,000 men. The 4th Battle for Rhzev begins

Give the task of defending the River Don

The Germans attack the 64th Army on the River Don

The Germans attack the 64th Army on the River Don

The 33rd Guards lose 1,000 men & are forced to retreat

German forces capture the Russian garrison at Sebastopol

Manstein captures Sevastopol

A naval and commando raid on the St Nazaire (Operation Chariot) succeeds at badly damaging the ports dry dock and denying it German navy capital ships

Extends Operation Blue for the 6th Army to occupy Stalingrad & invade the Caucasus

The splitting of Army Group South enabled the launching of Operation Edelweiss and Operation Fischreiher, the two main thrusts of the Army Groups. Both groups had to achieve their objectives simultaneously.

The success of the initial advance was such that Hitler ordered the 4th Panzer Army south to assist the First Panzer Army to cross the lower Don river.

This assistance was not needed and Kleist later complained that 4th Panzer Army clogged the roads and that if they had carried on toward Stalingrad, they could have taken it in July.

When it turned north again two weeks later, the Soviets had gathered enough forces together at Stalingrad to check its advance

A relief operation called Operation Winter Storm began. Spearheaded by some of the first Tiger tanks, the offensive got within 48 km (30 mi) of the southern 6th Army front, but the Germans made no attempt to break out. The failure was followed by a siege that lasted for almost three months, during which 6th Army was destroyed

Appointed Commander of the Stalingrad front by Stalin

Sent by Churchill to persuade Auchinleck to capture Cyrenaica but Cripps fails

Rommell decides to withdraw from Tobruk, Hitler forces Rommel to stay

Rommel drives the Eighth Army back to Gazala, only 25 miles outside Tobruk

Captures Tobruk then plans to move onto the Suez Canal

Rommel captures Tobruk. Bernard Montgomery launches an attack on the Deutsches Afrika Korps at Kidney Ridge

Rommell decides to withdraw from Tobruk, Hitler forces Rommel to stay

German troops advance as far as Toulon

Commands the creation of a bridgehead at Tunis & defends it from advancing Allies

Joins up with Rommel to defend Tunis with his newly created XC Corps

Forward elements of 4th Panzer Army had reached the Don River near Voronezh and became embroiled in the battle to capture the city

Reaches Voronezh

Hoth reaches Voronezh, Vatutin is ordered to create a new Voronezh Front. Creates a new front & forces Bock to divert both Paulus & Hoth to deal with it

Groves purchases 52,000 acres (210 km) of land in Tennessee for "Site X", which will become the Oak Ridge, Tennessee laboratory and production site

Leslie Richard Groves appoints Robert Oppenheimer to coordinate the scientific research of the project at the "Site Y" laboratory

Groves and Oppenheimer visit Los Alamos, New Mexico and designate it as the location for "Site Y

Leslie Richard Groves appoints Robert Oppenheimer to coordinate the scientific research of the project at the "Site Y" laboratory

Groves and Oppenheimer visit Los Alamos, New Mexico and designate it as the location for "Site Y

Dismissed because the 6th Army had not counter-attacked enough at the siege of Kharkov

The Germans began to suffer logistics difficulties, which slowed down the tempo of the advance. The German 6th Army was continually delayed by fuel shortages. Eight days later, on 20 July, shortages of fuel were still undermining operations, leaving many units unable to execute their orders

Extends Operation Blue for the 6th Army to occupy Stalingrad & invade the Caucasus

The 6th Army crossed the Don and Army Group B established a defensive line on one of its bends.The 6th Army reached the northern suburbs of Stalingrad later that day, beginning the Battle of Stalingrad

After defeating the last Soviet counter-attacks, 6th Army resumed its offensive on 2 September, linking up with 4th Panzer Army the following day. On 12 September, the Germans entered Stalingrad

3rd Romanian Army had been transferred from Caucasus on 10 September, to take over Italian positions on the Don, opposite the Soviet bridgeheads. The Romanians were understrength and had only around six modern anti-tank guns per division.

3rd Romanian Army, on the Don River west of Stalingrad, and 4th Romanian Army, south-east of Stalingrad, had been under constant Soviet attack since September.

Hitler ordered 6th Army to remain on the defensive, rather than try to break out. It was intended the army would be supplied by air, but the quantity of supplies necessary was far beyond the ability of the Luftwaffe to carry. 6th Armys strength diminished and the Soviets gained the upper hand inside the city

The Soviets launched Operation Uranus, a two-pronged counter-offensive against the flanks of 6th Army. With the battle for the city and the exhaustion of 4th Panzer Army, the flanks were mainly guarded by Romanian, Hungarian and Italian soldiers.

The bulk of the German tank reserve, the 48th Panzer Corps, consisted of about 180 tanks, half being obsolete Panzer 35(t)s. The two Romanian armies were routed and 6th Army, with parts of 4th Panzer Army, were encircled in Stalingrad.

Hitler orders the 6th Army to hold their position

A relief operation called Operation Winter Storm began. Spearheaded by some of the first Tiger tanks, the offensive got within 48 km (30 mi) of the southern 6th Army front, but the Germans made no attempt to break out. The failure was followed by a siege that lasted for almost three months, during which 6th Army was destroyed

Blocked on the Myshkova by the 2nd Guards Army, the German 6th Army cannot break out

Moves the 6th Army HQ to Kharkov

The 6th Army reach the Volga north of Stalingrad

After the Luftwaffe attack Stalingrad & kill 40,000 Pauluss 6th Army attack

The 6th Army is completely encircled by the Red Army

The 300,000 force of the German 6th Army is encircled

Answers Commons questions on the committee examining social insurance and allied services.

Maintains pressure in the south to hold Axis formations away from the decisive northern sector.

Nasci's Alpine Corps begins facing renewed Soviet attacks against its sector on the Don.

Gariboldi's 8th Army is struck by the Soviet offensive later known as Operation Little Saturn, breaking key sectors of the Don front.

"it is not even the beginning of the end, but it is perhaps the end of the beginning"

Orders the Stalingrad Defence Committee to prepare the city for war immediately

Orders Rommel's army to stand fast despite the collapse of the Axis position at El Alamein.

The Soviet High Command, Stavka, try to break Rendulics defenses with 400 tanks

Plans a counter-offensive at the meeting of the Stavka & State Defence Committee

Assumes Middle East command and oversees the defence of Egypt and the Suez Canal before the El Alamein offensive.

Welcomes Allied gains in North Africa as strengthening the Allied position in the Mediterranean and the approaches to Suez.

Commands Mediterranean naval forces while the El Alamein campaign protects Alexandria and the Suez Canal.

Takes command of the Eighth Army and prepares the defence of Egypt against any renewed Axis push toward Suez.

Captures Tobruk then plans to move onto the Suez Canal

Decides to launch the break-out Supercharge as far north as possible

151st & 152nd brigades launch Operation Supercharge & reach their objectives

After the success of the Allied operation Rommel decides to rereat to Fuka

The Axis troops are forced to rereat

Chooses a more northerly sector for the final breakout operation against the weakened Axis line.

Appointed Supreme Commander of Allied forces in India & Burma

Appointed Supreme Commander of Allied forces in India & Burma

Surrenders to the Japanese, spends the rest of the war in a prisoner of war camp

Claims that the war is lost & advises surrender to avoid useless slaughter

Imamura receives the capitulation of Allied forces on Java, completing the principal Japanese campaign on the island.

Singapore surrenders to Yamashita, 130,000 British are taken prisoner

Eighth Army re-enters Tobruk while the Axis retreat continues westward.

Battisti's Cuneense Division receives orders for movement to the Eastern Front as part of the Alpine Corps.

Reverberi departs Italy with the Tridentina Alpine Division for service with the Italian army on the Eastern Front.

Ricagno begins the transfer of the Julia Alpine Division from Italy to the Eastern Front.

An Anglo-Soviet Treaty of alliance is signed in London

An Anglo-Soviet Treaty of alliance is signed in London

Declaration 26 by Allies not to conclude a separate armistice becomes basis for the UN

Tried before the French High Court at Riom for the French defeat

Cavallero directs the rapid commitment of Italian forces to Tunisia as the Axis seeks to establish a bridgehead after Operation Torch.

Jodl participates in decisions concerning reinforcement of Axis forces in Tunisia after Operation Torch.

Declaration by 26 Allies not to conclude a separate armistice, the pact becomes the UN. Declaration 26 by Allies not to conclude a separate armistice becomes basis for the UN

Declaration by 26 Allies not to conclude a separate armistice, the pact becomes the UN. A pact made at the Washington Conference becomes the nucleus of the United Nations

Leaves Britain for the United States to assist cooperation on high-speed Bombe development and secure communications.

The German Armed Forces (Wehrmacht) 1942 strategic summer offensive in southern Russia between 28 June and 24 November 1942.

The operation was a continuation of the previous years Operation Barbarossa, intended to knock the Soviet Union out of the war.

and involved a two-pronged attack against the oil fields of Baku as well as an advance in the direction of Stalingrad along the Volga River, to cover the flanks of the advance towards Baku.

The 4th Battle for Rhzev begins

US Army Air Force (USAAF) European HQ is established at Daws Hill, High Wycombe (Bucks)

US Army Air Force (USAAF) European HQ is established at Daws Hill, High Wycombe (Bucks)

1st successful test launching of of thew V2, liquid fuelled rocket

1st successful test launching of of thew V2, liquid fuelled rocket

Interned by the Vichy Government & tried for betraying his country

Assassination of the Vichy leader in north Africa

American troops land at Casablanca, Oran & Algiers overcoming Vichy resistance

The first US Army unit to arrive in Britain, elements of the 34th Division, land at Belfast (Northern Ireland)

Churchill visits Moscow to discuss second front issues with Stalin, Soviets suspicious over Allied strategy in Mediterranean, demand action in NW Europe

Stalin has the impression that Churchill promises to invade France in 1943. Churchill visits Stalin & says there can be no invasion of Europe in 1942. Churchill visits Stalin & promises that south east Europe will be attacked in 1943

Churchill visits Moscow to discuss second front issues with Stalin, Soviets suspicious over Allied strategy in Mediterranean, demand action in NW Europe

Opinion polls show half the population is dissatisfied with the conduct of the war. Churchill wins a resounding victory of 476 votes to 25 on the conduct of the War

Prepares briefing materials for Reinhard Heydrich before Wannsee.

Attends the Wannsee Conference as Heydrich's specialist official.

Appointed Member of War Cabinet

The Manhattan Project is given permission to use the highest wartime priority rating by the War Production Board

Nelson coordinates conversion of civilian factories and allocation of strategic materials.

Jodl becomes the principal OKW operational adviser for campaigns against the Western Allies and peripheral theatres.

Blocked on the Myshkova by the 2nd Guards Army, the German 6th Army cannot break out

Leads Opeartion Winter Storm to support Field Marshal Paulus

Lombardi is seriously wounded while commanding the Brescia Division during the First Battle of El Alamein.

OKW upgrades its presence in Africa by creating the XC Army Corps in Tunisia & creating a new 5th Panzer Army headquarters under the command of Colonel General Hans-Jurgen von Arnim

Birth of Brian Jones, founder and multi-instrumentalist of the Rolling Stones.

Birth of David Dave Clark

Birth of Ian Dury

Birth of Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr

Birth of Jeff Astle

Birth of Jimi Hendrix

Birth of John Edward Thaw

Birth of John Michael Crichton

Birth of Lewis Allan Reed, later known professionally as Lou Reed.

Birth of Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones

Birth of Martin Scorsese

Birth of Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi

Birth of Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr

Birth of Neil Kinnock

Birth of Paul McCartney, born in Walton General Hospital in Liverpool, England, where his mother, Mary, had previously worked as a nursing sister in the maternity ward

Birth of Paul McCartney at Walton Hospital in Liverpool.

Birth of Stephen William Hawking

Birth of Thabo Mbeki

Predieri is killed while commanding the Brescia Division on the El Alamein front.

Death of Carole Lombard

Death of Edward William Gott, plane shot down. Aircraft shot down the day after Churchill advises appointing him Eighth Army Commander

Ferrari Orsi is killed by a mine while inspecting forward positions shortly before the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Death of Jean Francois Darlan, assassinated

The Czech resistence assassinates Heydrich, "the Protector of Bohemia"

Yamaguchi remains aboard the crippled Hiryu and dies when the carrier is abandoned and scuttled.

Kaku remains aboard Hiryu with Yamaguchi and dies after the carrier is abandoned.

Horii dies while attempting to cross the flooded Kumusi River during the Japanese retreat in New Guinea.

Auchinleck foresees Axis intentions and his defensive preparations help frustrate Rommel at Alam Halfa.

Serves on Rommel's staff during the failed Axis attack at Alam Halfa.

Commands Italian mobile forces committed to Rommel's Alam Halfa attack.

Commands Italian X Corps during the Axis attack at Alam Halfa.

Helps defeat Rommels attack on Alam Halfa Ridge

Commands XIII Corps on the southern flank during the Battle of Alam Halfa.

Defeats Rommel's attack at Alam Halfa, protecting the approaches to Cairo and the Suez Canal.

Rommel attacks the Alam Halfa Ridge

Rommels attack is turned back, Cairo & Alexandra are safeguarded

Wounded in battle & returned to Germany for treatment

Attacks the Alam Halfa line in a final attempt to break through toward the Nile Delta and the Suez Canal.

Rommel attacks south of El Alamein at Alam Halfa, attempting to renew the Axis advance toward Suez.

Rommel fails to break through the British line south of El Alamein during the Battle of Alam Halfa.

Rommel's renewed attack near Alam Halfa is contained by the British defence.

Rommel calls off the Alam Halfa attack after heavy losses in men, tanks, vehicles and guns.

Rommel is forced to retreat after the failure of the Axis attack at Alam Halfa.

Rules Egypt while the First Battle of El Alamein halts the Axis advance west of Alexandria.

Holds the Axis advance at El Alamein, preventing Rommel from breaking through toward Alexandria and the Suez Canal.

Auchinleck halts Rommel's advance at the First Battle of El Alamein, gaining time for the defence of Egypt.

The First Battle of El Alamein ends with the Axis advance checked and the Allied line intact.

The Axis advance into Egypt is stopped at El Alamein before it can reach Alexandria or Suez.

Attacks at El Alamein after reaching Egypt, but is stopped before he can advance toward the Suez Canal.

Auchinleck breaks up attacks by exhausted German armour on Ruweisat Ridge during the First Battle of El Alamein.

Remains Egypt's monarch as the Second Battle of El Alamein is fought in the Western Desert.

Holds senior Italian command responsibility in Libya as Italian and German forces fight at El Alamein.

Helps manage Panzer Army Africa staff work during the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Describes El Alamein as a turning point after news of the Axis retreat reaches Britain.

Directs Desert Air Force support for Montgomery's offensive at El Alamein, helping secure the canal route.

Coordinates air support and interdiction during the decisive armoured breakout at El Alamein.

Maintains Egypt's wartime government during the Allied offensive at El Alamein.

Commands the Folgore paratroopers holding the southern sector during the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Leads 7th Armoured Division during the breakout phase of the Second Battle of El Alamein.

The Afrika Korps is reduced to 114 tanks but Hitler orders that they must hold its ground

Commands XIII Corps in the southern diversion during the opening of the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Commands 90th Light Africa Division on the Axis line at El Alamein.

Leese's XXX Corps leads the infantry assault in the northern sector at the opening of the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Leese's XXX Corps supports the breakout during the closing phase of the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Commands X Corps armoured formations during Operation Supercharge at the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Montgomery issues final plans for the Eighth Army's offensive before the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Launches an attack at El Alamein to stop the Axis advance toward the Suez Canal.

Launches the El Alamein offensive that turns back the Axis threat to Egypt and the Suez Canal.

Montgomery launches a diversionary attack in the southern sector on the opening night of the battle.

Montgomery launches the Second Battle of El Alamein with coordinated attacks by XXX Corps and XIII Corps.

Montgomery confirms that the breakout effort must continue despite stubborn Axis resistance.

Axis tankers Proserpina and Tergeste are sunk, worsening fuel shortages during the battle.

The loss of Axis supply tankers deprives Panzer Army Africa of fuel during the battle.

Montgomery's offensive forces Rommel's army into retreat during the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Montgomery's offensive reduces the Axis armoured reserve to a small number of serviceable tanks.

The British armoured formations break through the Axis front as the Second Battle of El Alamein nears its decision.

Mussolini supports Hitler's order that Axis troops hold their ground despite Rommel's request to retreat.

Commands Axis forces at El Alamein and fails to break through to the Nile Delta and the Suez Canal.

The British Eighth Army opens the offensive at El Alamein while Georg Stumme commands Axis forces in Rommel's absence.

Returns from Germany to command Panzer Army Africa during the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Rommel's armour is badly reduced during the Second Battle of El Alamein while Hitler forbids withdrawal.

The Afrika Korps is reduced to 114 tanks but Hitler orders that they must hold its ground

Rommel begins withdrawing after Montgomery's forces break the Axis position at El Alamein.

The Axis army is defeated at El Alamein and retreats westward across Libya.

The Axis loss of Tobruk follows the retreat from El Alamein and weakens Rommel's North African position.

Commands Axis forces at the start of the Second Battle of El Alamein while Rommel is absent.

Is captured during the Axis collapse at the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Commands 15th Panzer Division as Axis armoured strength declines during the battle.

The Allies recapture Bardia

Rommel recaptures Bardia for the 2nd time

The British recapture Bardia

Defeated in battle & later forced to resign by Hitler

The US surrenders to the Japanese on Bataan. MacArthur is evacuated but Allied prisoners are forced on the Bataan Death March

The US surrenders to the Japanese on Bataan

The US surrenders to the Japanese on Corregidor after the surrender of Bataan

Trieste under Azzi operates around Bir Hakeim and the Axis supply corridor during the Gazala fighting.

Ariete under De Stefanis attacks positions around Bir Hakeim during the opening phase of the Gazala battle.

Rommel sends his armour south of Bir-Hakeim to outflank the British

Captures Bir-Hakeim

Germany bombs Canterbury in the biggest daylight raid since the Battle of Britain

Goto leads a Japanese cruiser force into the Battle of Cape Esperance and is mortally wounded.

Ordered by Yamamoto to sieze bases in the southern Solomons & capture Port Moresby

Captures the Island of Tulagi in the Coral Sea

The Shoho is sunk

Inouye is forced to call off his planned capture of Port Moresby in the Solomons

The air-sea Battle of the Coral Sea comes out as an tactical victory but strategical defeat for Japan

Calls off the plan to sieze bases in the southern Solomons & capture Port Moresby

Japanese expansion in the Pacific is stopped off New Guinea

Orders Inouye to sieze bases in the southern Solomons & capture Port Moresby

Japanese expansion is stopped at New Guinea

Kawaguchi directs a major night assault against the American positions protecting Henderson Field.

Azzi commands the Trieste Motorised Division as it enters the fighting around the Gazala line.

De Stefanis leads Ariete as the Axis offensive opens against the British Gazala defensive line.

Begins to build up ground forces at Guadalcanal, reaches 20,000

Given command of all US forces in the campaign in Guadalcanal

Sent to support the defence of Guadalcanal

Gets his remaining troops across the Chindwin River & into the border region

Bernard Montgomery launches an attack on the Deutsches Afrika Korps at Kidney Ridge

Commands the 4th Panzer Army at the Battle of Kursk

Sweeps forward to the south of Kursk

Rommel captures Mersa Matruh

Abes "Tokyo Express" is stopped at Ironbottom Sound & Abe is removed from command

Leads the bomardment at Midway & Wake Island

Spruance & Fletcher sink 4 Japanese carriers with the loss of the Yorktown

Ordered to make diversionary strikes against US Alaskan bases before the Midway strike

Bombards Dutch Harbour in the Aleutians to divert the Japanese from the Midway Islands

Japan must now concentrate on defending the Southern Resources Area. Japan loses its initiative in the Pacific

Orders a 2nd attack when the Japanes are caught with their decks crowded with planes. Launches the Midway invasion believing there are no US carriers in the central Pacific. By 5:00PM Japan had lost her entire carrier force

Provides the Japanese code which inform the Americans of the Japanese plans

Attacks Japanese carriers heading for Midway, lulls Nagumo into false sense of victory

Turns away from Yamamoto & frustrates the his plan for trapping US forces

The Americans retreat & he gives up the battle. All the Japanese carriers are lost at Midway

Driven out of Moulmein by the Japanese & forced to withdraw across the Salween

Da Zara's cruisers intercept the Harpoon convoy south of Pantelleria and open fire shortly after 05:30.

Japan informs Mussolini they are about to attack the US, Mussolini offers full support

Traps a large number of Russian units, the line is closed with 26,000 Russians dead. Begins to attack the Russians in order to hold Rzhev & stop the Russian advance

Russian forces are trapped & then destroyed

Leads his ships as the vanguard group at the carrier battles of Santa Cruz

Mikawa's cruiser force surprises the Allied screening force and wins a major night victory off Savo Island.

Manstein captures Sevastopol

1st day of the battle to capture Singapore

Escapes across the Sittang after an attack by the Japanese but loses heavy equipment

Leads his ships as the vanguard group at the carrier battles of the eastern Solomons

Chuikov had witnessed firsthand the blitzkrieg tactics the Nazis had used to sweep across the Russian steppe, so he used the Germans carpet-bombing of the city to draw panzer units into the rubble and chaos, where their progress was impeded.

Here they could be destroyed with Molotov cocktails and Russian artillery operating at close range. This tactic also rendered the German Luftwaffe ineffective, since Stuka dive-bombers could not attack Red Army positions without endangering their own forces

It was at Stalingrad that Chuikov developed the important tactic of hugging the enemy, Guerrilla warfare, by which under-armed Soviet soldiers kept the German army so close to them as to minimize the superior firepower enjoyed by the Wehrmacht.

Put in charge of defending Stalingrad.

Crushes the Romanians & begins to entrap von Pauluss Army

Bock has been dismissed & Paulus placed in charge of capturing Stalingrad

The splitting of Army Group South enabled the launching of Operation Edelweiss and Operation Fischreiher, the two main thrusts of the Army Groups. Both groups had to achieve their objectives simultaneously.

The success of the initial advance was such that Hitler ordered the 4th Panzer Army south to assist the First Panzer Army to cross the lower Don river.

This assistance was not needed and Kleist later complained that 4th Panzer Army clogged the roads and that if they had carried on toward Stalingrad, they could have taken it in July.

When it turned north again two weeks later, the Soviets had gathered enough forces together at Stalingrad to check its advance

The Swastika is raised over Mount Elbrus

The 6th Army crossed the Don and Army Group B established a defensive line on one of its bends.The 6th Army reached the northern suburbs of Stalingrad later that day, beginning the Battle of Stalingrad

After defeating the last Soviet counter-attacks, 6th Army resumed its offensive on 2 September, linking up with 4th Panzer Army the following day. On 12 September, the Germans entered Stalingrad

3rd Romanian Army had been transferred from Caucasus on 10 September, to take over Italian positions on the Don, opposite the Soviet bridgeheads. The Romanians were understrength and had only around six modern anti-tank guns per division.

3rd Romanian Army, on the Don River west of Stalingrad, and 4th Romanian Army, south-east of Stalingrad, had been under constant Soviet attack since September.

Hitler ordered 6th Army to remain on the defensive, rather than try to break out. It was intended the army would be supplied by air, but the quantity of supplies necessary was far beyond the ability of the Luftwaffe to carry. 6th Armys strength diminished and the Soviets gained the upper hand inside the city. Hitler forbids any retreat or surrender, they are "liquidated" by 25 January 1943

The Soviets launched Operation Uranus, a two-pronged counter-offensive against the flanks of 6th Army. With the battle for the city and the exhaustion of 4th Panzer Army, the flanks were mainly guarded by Romanian, Hungarian and Italian soldiers.

The bulk of the German tank reserve, the 48th Panzer Corps, consisted of about 180 tanks, half being obsolete Panzer 35(t)s. The two Romanian armies were routed and 6th Army, with parts of 4th Panzer Army, were encircled in Stalingrad.

The Stalingrad fronts link up, 330,000 Germans are encircled. Hitler orders the 6th Army to hold their position

Following the success of Operation Uranus, the Red Army began Operation Saturn, to cut off Army Group A and all troops east of Rostov.During the German relief operation at Stalingrad, Soviet forces had been redeployed, lesser objectives substituted, and the operation renamed "Little Saturn".

Spearheaded by some of the first Tiger tanks, the offensive got within 48 km (30 mi) of the southern 6th Army front, but the Germans made no attempt to break out.

The attack fell on Eighth Italian Army and the remnants of 3rd Romanian Army, and led to the destruction of most of Eighth Army. A relief operation called Operation Winter Storm began.

The failure was followed by a siege that lasted for almost three months, during which 6th Army was destroyed

Reaches Kotelnikovo 125 miles south west of Stalingrad

Attacks Stalingrad from the south West

Advances across the Volga into the southernmost suburb of Stalingrad

Zhukov drives Hoths army back across Kotelnikov

Leads the 16th Panzer Division across the River Don

Sets the Panzers rolling to relieve Paulus trapped 6th Army. Manstein is 30 miles away from Stalingrad

Helps capture Kalach near Stalingrad

Placed in full charge of capturing Stalingrad after the dismissal of Bock

The 6th Army reach the Volga north of Stalingrad

After the Luftwaffe attack Stalingrad & kill 40,000 Pauluss 6th Army attack

Most of Stalingrad is captured but the 6th Armys flanks are exposed

The 6th Army is completely encircled by the Red Army

The south west & Stalingrad fronts link up, 330,000 Germans are encircled. Hitler orders "Where the German Soldier sets his foot, there he remains"

Zhukov drives the Germans back from the north & sth. Supply lines can no longer reach Paulus on land

Helps capture Kalach near Stalingrad

The Russians outflank & encircle the German 6th, 9th & 4th Panzer Armies

Orders the Stalingrad Defence Committee to prepare the city for war immediately

Gathers 190,000 men, 350 tanks, 340 planes & 8,000 guns on the Staingrad front

The Red Army begins to encircle the German forces besieging Stalingrad

Moved up to the north-west Front

Arrives in Stalingrad to assume command

Leads the attack on the north & south flanks of the Germans

Captures the supply bridge at Kalach

Zhukov begins attacking the German 5th Army & 4th Panzer Army in the rear. The 300,000 force of the German 6th Army is encircled

Zhukov drives the German forces in the north beyond the Chir & Aksay. Zhukov drives Hoths army back across Kotelnikov

Tanaka's destroyers launch an effective torpedo counterattack during the Battle of Tassafaronga.

Takagi commands the Japanese carrier striking force as the Battle of the Coral Sea begins.

Ichiki attacks the American perimeter near the Tenaru and is killed as his detachment is destroyed.

Captures Tobruk then plans to move onto the Suez Canal

Rommel captures Tobruk. Bernard Montgomery launches an attack on the Deutsches Afrika Korps at Kidney Ridge

Rommell decides to withdraw from Tobruk, Hitler forces Rommel to stay. Bernard Montgomery launches an attack on the Deutsches Afrika Korps at Kidney Ridge

Renews the offensive in Burma by attacking the Chinese Army at Toungoo

Leads the Eighth Armys to victory at Wadi Akarit

The Japanese capture the Yenangyaung oilfields & Magwe

Takagi's carriers exchange major air strikes with American carriers in the first carrier battle fought beyond visual range.

Ariete reaches El Alamein with depleted strength and attacks British positions under Arena's acting command.

Gariboldi directs the 8th Army through the first sustained Soviet offensive against its Don positions.

Ravenna under Nebbia enters heavy fighting during the first major Soviet attacks against the Italian positions on the Don.

Abe leads a battleship bombardment force into a confused night action against American cruisers and destroyers.

Arena commands Ariete, initially held in the southern armoured reserve during the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Bitossi commands Littorio when the British offensive begins at El Alamein.

La Ferla leads Trieste as the British Eighth Army opens the Second Battle of El Alamein.

Iachino leads the Italian battle fleet during the Second Battle of Sirte while attempting to intercept a British convoy bound for Malta.

Kondo leads a renewed Japanese bombardment force that is defeated by American battleships near Guadalcanal.