1943 in History

Stalin says he could accept the Curzon Line as the Soviet-Polish frontier if the Soviet Union receives northern East Prussia including Konigsberg.

Leads the Acqui Division in resistance against German forces after attempts at negotiation fail.

Addresses Congress regarding the Allied war aims

Pushes Eighth Army along the Adriatic side of Italy toward the important Foggia airfields.

The AEAF HQ takes control of the RAF Tactical Air Force & the Air Defence of Britain

The Panzer Army Africa, (now called the German-Italian Panzer Army,) is redesignated as the Italian First Army and put under the command of Italian general Giovanni Messe, while Rommel is placed in command of a new Army Group Africa (Heeresgruppe Afrika)

Withdraws from public view after the King's removal of Mussolini changes the political situation.

Roosevelt & Churchill agree to defeat Japan within 12 months of Germany's defeat

Joins the Italian Social Republic government with responsibility for agriculture and forests.

Joins Badoglio's government as Minister of the Air Force.

Supports the alliance of Turkey with the Allies during a meeting with the Allies

Meets the Russians & confirms the Allied decision at Quebec to launch Overlord

Supports the alliance of Turkey with the Allies during a meeting with the Allies. Meets the Allies to back the invasion of north France

Roosevelt & Churchill demand the unconditional surrender of Germany, Italy & Japan. 2nd meeting of US & UK leaders

Meets the Russians & confirms the Allied decision at Quebec to launch Overlord

Proposes an Allied Conference. Convinced Italy must be invaded & Rome captured. Concerned the US will turn its attention toward the Pacific at the expense of Europe

Brooke's delegation joins the agreement to coordinate deception plans intended to mislead Germany about forthcoming operations.

Leads the southern government as Allied forces enter Naples after the German withdrawal and local uprising.

Churchill & Roosevelt agree General Eisenhower will command Allied forces for the invasion of Europe

Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Force

Commands the Italian Sixth Army as Allied forces land in Sicily during Operation Husky.

Faces the Allied invasion of Sicily, a military crisis that accelerates opposition to his regime.

Leads the royal government as Allied forces land at Salerno during the opening of the mainland Italian campaign.

Leaves the Foreign Ministry and is appointed Italian ambassador to the Holy See.

Deane joins the American military delegation bringing recent knowledge of Soviet strategic priorities from Moscow.

Works with liberal anti-fascists in the political organizations that emerge after the armistice.

The 1st Arctic convoy since February sets sail

Begins efforts to recruit and organize armed forces for the Italian Social Republic.

Italy signs an armistice with the Allies in secret

Italy announces an armistice

Italy announces an armistice

Italy announces an armistice

Broadcasts the announcement that Italy has accepted an armistice with the Allied powers.

Authorizes acceptance of the Allied short armistice terms and empowers Castellano to sign them.

Receives authority from the Badoglio government to sign the short military armistice terms.

Broadcasts the armistice announcement to the Italian people after the Allied declaration becomes public.

Faces the collapse of Italian military authority after the public announcement of the armistice.

Orders the Italian fleet to avoid self-destruction and comply with the Allied armistice terms.

Supports the dispatch of military representatives to establish terms for ending Italy's war against the Allies.

Signs the short military armistice with the Allies on behalf of Marshal Badoglio.

Supports secret military discussions intended to remove Italy from the Axis war.

Authorizes General Giuseppe Castellano to sign the military armistice with the Allies at Cassibile.

The Panzer Army Africa, (now called the German-Italian Panzer Army,) is redesignated as the Italian First Army and put under the command of Italian general Giovanni Messe, while Rommel is placed in command of a new Army Group Africa (Heeresgruppe Afrika)

The Panzer Army Africa, (now called the German-Italian Panzer Army,) is redesignated as the Italian First Army and put under the command of Italian general Giovanni Messe, while Rommel is placed in command of a new Army Group Africa (Heeresgruppe Afrika)

Arnold participates in American military planning concerning air power and the coming operations in Europe.

Arnold reviews air requirements connected with the planned Allied offensives in Europe.

A German commando unit led by Colonel Skorzeny captures Mussolini from the Italians

A German commando unit led by Colonel Skorzeny captures Mussolini from the Italians

Held at Buchenwald until May 1945

Is arrested after leaving his audience with King Victor Emmanuel III following dismissal from office.

Mosley is released for reasons of poor health

Churchill arrives in Tehran with the British delegation for the first wartime meeting of the three principal Allied leaders.

Travels to Germany after his rescue and meets Hitler before returning to political leadership under German protection.

Stalin arrives in Tehran with the Soviet delegation before the conference formally opens on 28 November.

Begins the As I Please column for Tribune.

Murdered by the Nazis, his removal leads to a Nazi coup

Subhas Chandra Bose formally takes command of the reorganized Indian National Army and prepares it for operations toward India.

Issues instructions to give priority to defending rocket launching areas

Field Marshal Rommel begins inspection of Atlantic Wall, Germany's coastal defence system stretching from Norway to the Spanish frontier

Takes over the defence of north France & the construction of the Atlantic Wall

Field Marshal Rommel begins inspection of Atlantic Wall, Germany's coastal defence system stretching from Norway to the Spanish frontier

Visits Hitler to ask for stronger defences for the Atlantic Wall which are ignored

Completes a report highlighting the deficiences of the Atlantic Wall

Receives an honarary degree from Harvard University

Supervises the Italian side of the Axis withdrawal toward the Strait of Messina.

It is decided that the Eighth Army will invade Italy across the Straits of Messina. Baytown is approved, the Eighth Army will invade Italy across the Straits of Messina

Operation Baytown to land on the "toe" of Italy is set for the 2/3 Sept

Some of the Eighth Army cross the Straits of Messina & land on the Calabrian Coast

Resigns from the BBC.

Presses ministers to act more boldly on Beveridge.

Presses for more ambitious social and health reform.

Defends government caution over immediate Beveridge implementation.

Bohlen provides interpretation during the first private meeting between Roosevelt and Stalin.

Bohlen interprets during high-level American-Soviet conversations on the conference's second day.

1st day of the "battle of Berlin", 700 tons dropped by the RAF

1st day of the "battle of Berlin", 700 tons dropped by the RAF

Worst bombing of Berlin so far, 2,300 tons dropped

Berlin reported as "sea of flames", up to 10,000 dead

1st day of the "battle of Berlin", 700 tons dropped by the RAF

Worst bombing of Berlin so far, 2,300 tons dropped

Berlin reported as "sea of flames", up to 10,000 dead

Duesseldorf is bombed

The Dambusters breach the Eder dam by "bouncing bombs"

Bombs Essen with 442 bombers, 14 fail to return

The US airforce bombs Germany for the 1sr time

The British Air Ministry announces that Hamburg lies in ruins

The British Air Ministry announces that Hamburg lies in ruins

Kiel is bombed by day with the loss of 17 bombers

The RAF bomb Leipzig, 1,500 killed & 40,000 homeless

The RAF bomb Leipzig, 1,500 killed & 40,000 homeless

The Dambusters breach the Mohne dam by "bouncing bombs"

The RAF launch a 25 minute bombing raid on Munich

The RAF launch a 25 minute bombing raid on Munich

Receives news of the major Allied bombing of Rome while meeting Adolf Hitler near Feltre.

Leads 19 Lancasters from 617 Squadron & breaches the Mohne & Eder dams. Gibson is later awarded the VC

The Allies begin bombing the airfields of Siciliy as a prelude to invasion

The Dambusters breach the Sorpe dam by "bouncing bombs"

The RAF bomb Stuttgart

The RAF bomb Stuttgart

Priority is switched to bombing U-boat bases

The bombing of U-boat bases is removed from the priority list

Breaks diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy and Japan during the Second World War.

Appointed Brigadier General

Churchill commits Britain to respect Iran's political independence and territorial integrity after wartime cooperation.

Brooke attends the Tehran discussions as Chief of the Imperial General Staff and principal British military adviser.

Chadwick helps lead the British scientific mission that travels to the United States to join Allied atomic-bomb work.

Clark Kerr joins Harriman and Molotov in preparatory talks about conference security and arrangements.

Speaks with assurance of, "our coming victory"

Brooke attends the dinner where military and political discussions continue among senior Allied leaders.

Brooke represents British strategic views during the formal military discussions among the three powers.

Brooke examines how Mediterranean commitments would affect forces and landing craft required for Overlord.

Uses manoeuvre and pressure to force Axis troops from the Buerat position during the advance on Tripoli.

Meets Roosevelt and Churchill in a plenary session at Cairo to discuss Allied operations against Japan and postwar arrangements in Asia.

Directs Eighth Army's crossing of the Strait of Messina into Calabria during Operation Baytown.

The Russians capture Belgorod, threatning Kharkov

Stalin announces the Russian capture of Bryansk

The Axis complete the evacuation of the Crimea

The Axis complete the evacuation of the Crimea

Capture Crotone to divert the Germans from the US 5th who are moving towards Naples

Malinowsky captures Dnepropetrovsk

The Eighth Army captures the Foggia airfield

Captures Gela during the 1st American landings on Sicily

The Germans capture Rome after the surrender of the Italian Government to the Allies

German troops occupy Rome

Breaches the Gothic Line

The most westerly of the 7 airfields supplying the German sixth army in Stalingrad

The German armies in the Ukraine are thrteatened with encirclement

Partisans capture Kotor in Yugoslavia

The Russians capture the Kuban Peninsula on the Black Sea

The Eighth Army breaks through the Mareth Line & takes 7,000 German & Italian prisoners

A joint Anglo-American complete the capture Sicily after taking Messina

The Eighth Army arrives at Messina 2 hrs after Patton

Arrives at Messina 2 hours ahead of Montgomery

British forces enter Naples

The Allies capture Naples

The Eighth Army captures the Naples airfield

The Allies capture Naples

Pachino Airfield is captured in preparation for the invasion of Sicily

Caputres the Sicillian capital of Palermo

Eisenhowers forces capture the Italian island of Pantelleria

The only airfield with a night flying to supply the German 6th army in Stalingrad

Planes from Tunisia capture Ponte Grande in preparation for the invasion of Sicily

13 Corps capture Reggio during the Allied invasion of Italy

Soviet forces trap 650,000 German troops in the Crimea

The Germans capture Rome after the surrender of the Italian Government to the Allies

German troops occupy Rome

Russians captue Roslavl

Units of the 5th Army land on the Italian mainland at Salerno

The 5th US Army lands in the Gulf of Salerno as part of an operation to capture Naples

Joins up with the US forces at Salerno

Tries to resist the US landings at Salerno

Reduces the US bridgehead to less than 2 miles

13 Corps capture San Giovanni during the Allied invasion of Italy

The Eighth Army captures the heights on the Sangro, 100 miles east of Rome

The Allies occupy all of Siciliy

The Allies complete the capture of Sicily

A joint Anglo-American force captures Sicily, 24,000 Germans had been killed

Sicily is in Allied hands after a campaign lasting 38 days & costing 31,000 casualties

Sicily is in Allied hands after a campaign lasting 38 days & costing 31,000 casualties

Russians captue Smolensk

Russians captue Smolensk

Partisans capture Split in Yugoslavia

Partisans capture Split in Yugoslavia

Syracuse is captured by the Eighth Army during the Allied invasion of Siciliy

Russians capture Temyruk, the last held German port on the Black Sea

Russians capture Temyruk, the last held German port on the Black Sea

Britain captures Tripoli

The Eighth Army marches into Tripoli & all of North Africa comes into Allied hands

Surrenders the Army Group Africa after the fall of Tunis

Tunis is captured & entered by the British First Army

Negotiates final details before signing the short military armistice on behalf of Badoglio.

Commands the Acqui Division during the confrontation with German forces on Cephalonia after the Italian armistice.

Becomes chairman of the National Government during the wartime period.

Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1st term

Appointed Chief Doctor at Birkenau by Henrich Himmler

Appointed Chief Doctor at Birkenau by Henrich Himmler

Becomes Chief of the General Staff of the royal Italian armed forces during the co-belligerent phase of the war.

Is appointed Chief of the General Staff of the royal Italian armed forces.

Churchill and Roosevelt discuss next phase of war, a decision is made to attack Sicily and Italy in bid to divert German military resources and make good pledge to Stalin for a second front in Europe

Churchill and Roosevelt discuss next phase of war, a decision is made to attack Sicily and Italy in bid to divert German military resources and make good pledge to Stalin for a second front in Europe

Churchill argues that Mediterranean opportunities should not be discarded while the Allies prepare Overlord.

Churchill joins Roosevelt and Stalin for their first formal three-power plenary meeting.

Churchill takes part in the third plenary as the leaders narrow their remaining strategic differences.

Churchill receives Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi while the Allied leaders are gathered in Tehran.

Churchill celebrates his sixty-ninth birthday at a dinner attended by Roosevelt, Stalin and senior Allied leaders.

Churchill accepts a southern France operation provided available landing craft and wider strategy permit it.

Opening day, carried out by Models 9th Amry & the 4th Panzer of Army Group South. Delayed from the original date in May so Hitler can develop some "super-weapons". 1st day of the Battle of Kursk to repeat the German Summer advavances of 1941 & 1942

Hitler cancels Operation Citadel

The Russians begin an assault & force the Ninth Army on the defensive

Forbidden by Hitler to make any withdrawals

An offensive is launched to break through Kursk

Supports the development of Italian formations intended to fight German forces alongside the Allies.

Remains head of state as the royal government becomes a recognized co-belligerent against Germany.

Commits the royal government to active military cooperation with the Allies against Germany.

Appointed commander of the National Liberation Army

Appointed Commanding General of the XLI Panzer Corps

Appointed Commanding General of the XLI Panzer Corps

Appointed Commander of the German Navy, directs the U-boat offensive

Appointed Commander of the German Navy, directs the U-boat offensive

Appointed Supreme Axis Commander in Italy

Appointed Supreme Axis Commander in Italy

Appointed Commander in Chief, Combined Fleet

Appointed Commander in Chief, Combined Fleet

Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Force

Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Force

Appointed Commander of the 21st Panzer Division

Appointed Commander of the 21 Army Group

Appointed Commander of the 21 Army Group

Appointed Commander of Dachau Concentration Camp

Appointed Commander of Dachau Concentration Camp

Appointed Commander of Dachau Concentration Camp

Appointed Commander of Dachau Concentration Camp

Appointed Commander of the LXXXIV Corps

Appointed Commander of the LXXXIV Corps

Appointed Fuhrer Reserve senior Commander

Appointed Fuhrer Reserve senior Commander

Participates in anti-fascist liberal activity associated with the Committee of National Liberation after the armistice.

Represents liberal anti-fascist politics in the Committee of National Liberation established after the armistice.

Appointed Member of Committee of National Liberation

Appointed Member of Committee of National Liberation

Joins the Italian Social Republic cabinet as Minister of Communications.

Molotov tells the Allied leaders that the Soviet frontier established in 1939 is, in his view, essentially the Curzon Line.

Placed in charge of the concentration camps

Proposes an Allied Conference

Confirms British committment to Overlord at the Cairo Conference

Japan will lose Pacific Islands seized since the beginning of World War I

Operation Buccaner is agreed at the Cairo Conference

Stalin turns down the invitation to appear at the Cairo Conference

British Chiefs of Staff propose guerilla war in Yugoslavia, Greece & Albania

British Chiefs of Staff propose opening the Dardanelles to Russia

British Chiefs of Staff propose pushing the offensive in Italy to the Pisa-Rimini line

Efforts are made to bring Turkey into the war on the side of the Allies & discussions at Tehran with Russia

Churchill & Roosevelt agree Gen Eisenhower will command Allied forces for the planned invasion of Europe, Eisenhowers appointment as Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, publicly announced by Roosevelt

Proposes sending 2 Divisions to south France as a diversion to Overlord

Arrives in Cairo with Madame Chiang for meetings with Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.

Concludes the Cairo Conference with Roosevelt and Churchill; the communiqué sets Allied objectives for the war against Japan and postwar territorial settlements.

Opening day of Conference for Allied leaders in Cairo to discuss the war in Asia

Japan will lose Pacific Islands seized since the beginning of World War I. It is agreed to restore all territory lost by the Republic of China. 1st day of bi-lateral talks between Britain & the USA

Churchill & Roosevelt agree Gen Eisenhower will command Allied forces for the planned invasion of Europe, Eisenhowers appointment as Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, publicly announced by Roosevelt

1st day of bi-lateral talks between Britain & the USA

The Combined Chiefs of Staff use diplomacy to persuade Turkey to join the Allies. Arrives to discuss the blueprint for military victory with President Roosevelt

Churchill and Roosevelt discuss next phase of war, a decision is made to attack Sicily and Italy in bid to divert German military resources and make good pledge to Stalin for a second front in Europe

Agrees to end the war unconditionally, Germany will be defeated then Japan

Sicily will be invaded in July & in August. An Allied strategy is agreed to defeat Germany then Britain will fight against Japan. A joint Allied offensive will be launched on the Contentin Peninsula

Churchill and Roosevelt discuss next phase of war, a decision is made to attack Sicily and Italy in bid to divert German military resources and make good pledge to Stalin for a second front in Europe

Roosevelt & Churchill agree to supply Stalin war materials & divert German forces

Agrees to the European Advisery Commission to divide Germany into military zones

It is agreed after Germany is defeated Austria should regain independence. Agreed to form the European Advisery Commission to divide Germany into military zones

Final day of the Moscow Conference

In Heinrich Himmlers speech at the Posen Conference Himmler, for the first time, clearly elucidated to all assembled leaders of the Reich, in frank and brutal terms, what the "Final Solution" referred to

Leaves Britain on board the Queen Mary bound for Halifax, Canada

The initial draft of the COSSAC plan for Operation Overlord is accepted at the Quebec Conference in August 1943, but no supreme commander was appointed for several months

Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Force

Telegrams Churchill & Roosevelt saying he is a "passive observer"

Alan Brooke represents British military planning interests during the Trident Conference

Churchill attends the Third Washington Conference, code named Trident, to discuss Allied strategy with Roosevelt

The Allies agree to the completion of "Roundup" by 1st May 1944

The Allies agree to invade Sicily to knock Italy out of the War

Roosevelt opens strategic discussions with Churchill at the Trident Conference in Washington

Roosevelt & Churchill agree to hold a tripartite conference including Russia

Bevin announces conscription to coal mines

Hitler orders the conscription of youth for active service

Tito establishes a provisional Government at liberated Jajce, in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Joins the first Italian Social Republic cabinet with responsibility for corporate economy.

Joins Badoglio's government with responsibility for corporate and economic administration.

Assures the Chinese & Dutch at the Pacific War Council Britain will open the Burma Rd

Murdered by the Nazis, his removal leads to a Nazi coup

Overthrown in the Revolution of 43 military coup in the midst of an unpopular attempt to impose Robustiano Patron Costas as his successor

A June 1943 coup, the Revolution of 43, is led by General Arturo Rawson against conservative President Ramon Castillo, who had been fraudulently elected to office

The military was opposed to Governor Robustiano Patron Costas, Castillos hand-picked successor, the principal landowner in Salta Province, as well as a main stockholder in its sugar industry

Villarroel joins military and MNR conspirators in overthrowing Penaranda.

The military was opposed to Governor Robustiano Patron Costas, Castillos hand-picked successor, the principal landowner in Salta Province, as well as a main stockholder in its sugar industry. A June 1943 coup, the Revolution of 43, is led by General Arturo Rawson against conservative President Ramon Castillo, who had been fraudulently elected to office

The Act establishes payroll withholding for federal income-tax payments.

Stalin supports a postwar Polish eastern frontier broadly following the Curzon Line, with Poland compensated in the west.

Using cyclotron-produced plutonium, Segre measures a spontaneous-fission rate low enough to keep the plutonium gun concept viable at this stage.

Appointed Commander of the 21 Army Group to open a "2nd front" on D-Day

Appointed to open a "2nd front" across the Channel for D-Day

Announces the creation of Dachau near Munich

Construction begins on a plant in Decatur, Illinois, intended to manufacture gaseous-diffusion barrier material for K-25.

The Allies proclaim that Japan will be stripped of all land gained since 1914

Declaration to create an international organisation for peace & security. Annexation imposed on Austria by Germany on March 15, 1938, is null and void

Establishes the principle of an international organisation to for international peace

Signed by the USA, Russia, China & Britain

The Provisional Government led by Subhas Chandra Bose declares war on Britain and the United States.

Italy declares war on Germany

Bolivia declares war on the Axis powers

Announces Italy's declaration of war on Germany, establishing the royal government as an Allied co-belligerent.

Authorizes the royal Italian government's declaration of war on Germany.

Roosevelt signs the declaration supporting Iran's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Accepts responsibility for rebuilding armed forces loyal to the Italian Social Republic.

Commands forces involved in the confused defence of Rome as German units move against the capital after the armistice.

Takes the main Italian fleet to sea after receiving orders connected with the armistice.

Is moved to the Campo Imperatore hotel on the Gran Sasso massif for secret detention.

Is transferred from Ponza to guarded detention on La Maddalena.

Is held under guard on the island of Ponza after his arrest.

Involved in talks with Roosevelt & Churchill

Announces a plan for the post-war rehabilitation & reconstruction of Russia

Jodl works within OKW as German planning gives renewed priority to strengthening the West against an Allied invasion.

Dismisses Benito Mussolini as head of government after the Fascist Grand Council crisis and orders his arrest.

Approves the "Central Works" or "Dora" for the production of V2 rockets

Eden takes part in British diplomatic discussions during the opening day of the summit.

Eden joins Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin and senior diplomats for evening discussions after the opening plenary.

Eden participates in late discussions covering political questions alongside military strategy.

Joins Badoglio's government as Minister of National Education.

Joins the Italian Social Republic cabinet as Minister of National Education.

Montgomery's advancing army links with Allied formations approaching from western Tunisia.

Withdraws Eighth Army from the closing Tunisian operations to prepare for the Sicily invasion.

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

Ends the Sicily campaign after Axis evacuation leaves the island in Allied hands.

Becomes head of the ISK section responsible for cryptanalysis of German Abwehr Enigma.

Sees the specialised Abwehr-Enigma Bombe Eureka installed as ISK expands mechanised attacks.

Becomes head of Machine Coordination and Development, overseeing mechanised support for Enigma cryptanalysis.

Nationalist China signs a parallel treaty with Britain ending British extraterritorial privileges in China.

Nationalist China signs a treaty with the United States ending American extraterritorial rights and revising the unequal treaty system.

Establishes the principle of an international organisation to keep international peace

Agrees to form the European Advisery Commission to divide Germany into military zones

Kimura evacuates the Japanese garrison from Kiska under fog, removing thousands of troops without Allied interception.

Is executed by German forces after the Acqui Division's resistance on Cephalonia is crushed.

Surrounds the Hungarian capital with Einsatzgruppen to deport 800,000 Jews

Faces another strategic setback when the Italian island fortress of Pantelleria surrenders to the Allies.

Oversees the dissolution of the National Fascist Party after the fall of Mussolini.

Serves as the final secretary of the National Fascist Party during the regime's collapse.

Meets Adolf Hitler at Feltre as Italy's military position deteriorates and pressure for withdrawal from the war grows.

Stalin joins the final discussions as the three powers complete their military conclusions and political declarations.

Participates in the final Fascist Grand Council meeting while serving as party secretary.

Roosevelt meets Churchill, Stalin and senior advisers for the final day of conference negotiations.

In Heinrich Himmlers speech at the Posen Conference Himmler, for the first time, clearly elucidated to all assembled leaders of the Reich, in frank and brutal terms, what the "Final Solution" referred to

Stalin participates in the final negotiating sessions as the three governments complete their agreements.

Roosevelt agrees the final communiqué with Churchill and Stalin after the last conference discussions.

Churchill joins prolonged final discussions covering military conclusions and political declarations.

Joins Badoglio's government as Minister of Finance.

Joins the Italian Social Republic cabinet as Minister of Finance.

The first Alpha electromagnetic-separation unit at Y-12 begins operation as Oak Ridge expands into full industrial production.

Commands the US First Army during Operation Overlord

The Panzer Army Africa, (now called the German-Italian Panzer Army,) is redesignated as the Italian First Army and put under the command of Italian general Giovanni Messe, while Rommel is placed in command of a new Army Group Africa (Heeresgruppe Afrika)

The Panzer Army Africa, (now called the German-Italian Panzer Army,) is redesignated as the Italian First Army and put under the command of Italian general Giovanni Messe, while Rommel is placed in command of a new Army Group Africa (Heeresgruppe Afrika)

The first B-29 modification work begins at Wright Field to adapt the aircraft for carrying the new atomic weapons.

Churchill completes the first day of discussions with the central issue of future operations in Europe still under debate.

The Los Alamos gun-assembly programme fires its first test shot while concentrating on a high-velocity plutonium gun design.

Neddermeyer conducts the first explosive experiment in the Los Alamos implosion research programme.

Los Alamos begins its first nuclear-physics experiment, measuring plutonium-239 fission-neutron yield and marking the laboratory's transition into active experimental work.

Takes command of the First Motorized Group, created for combat alongside Allied forces.

The Chicago Metallurgical Laboratory produces the first sample of plutonium in metallic form by chemically reducing plutonium fluoride.

Stalin meets Roosevelt privately for the first time before joining Churchill at the opening plenary session.

Appointed First Sea Lord

Appointed First Sea Lord

Assumes senior command responsibilities after the loss of Admiral Bergamini and the battleship Roma.

Works to preserve the Italian fleet by ensuring compliance with Allied armistice instructions.

Leaves Rome with the King and senior officials as German forces move to seize the capital.

Leaves Rome with Badoglio and reaches Allied-controlled southern Italy as German forces occupy the capital.

Becomes the senior undersecretary handling foreign affairs under Mussolini.

Retains direct control of foreign affairs while heading the Italian Social Republic.

Joins Badoglio's government as Foreign Minister after the fall of Mussolini.

China joins the United States, Britain and Soviet Union in the Four-Nation Declaration supporting a postwar international security organization.

Following Eisenhowers and Montgomerys revisions it is expanded to landings by 5 divisions and airborne descents by 3 divisions, in total, 47 divisions would be committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French

Leads the Free French against Rommel for 16 days

Following Eisenhowers and Montgomerys revisions it is expanded to landings by 5 divisions and airborne descents by 3 divisions, in total, 47 divisions would be committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French

Directive 51, reserves from the West will not be sent to the East or the Mediterranean

Jodl tells Gauleiters that harsh measures are necessary to obtain labour for Atlantic Wall construction in occupied Western Europe.

Appointed General of the Infantry

Appointed General of the Infantry

Comes under German air attack while leading Italian capital ships away from their bases.

Faces German attacks on the capital while commanding the motorized corps responsible for Rome's defence.

Agrees to form the European Advisery Commission to divide Germany into military zones

Leads the royal government after German forces rapidly occupy most of central and northern Italy.

Loses control of Rome as German forces overcome Italian resistance following the armistice announcement.

Heads the new Italian Social Republic as Germany recognizes and supports the regime.

Receives German demands concerning the disarmament of the Acqui Division after the armistice.

Returns to German-occupied Italy to head the new Fascist state created after his rescue.

Subhas Chandra Bose proclaims the Provisional Government of Free India in Singapore on 21 October 1943.

Tito establishes a provisional Government at liberated Jajce, in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Reorganizes ministries and administration in southern Italy under Allied supervision.

Re-establishes the royal Italian government in Allied-controlled southern Italy after leaving Rome.

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

Conducts much of his government work from Gargnano on Lake Garda under close German supervision.

Is freed from detention at Gran Sasso during a German airborne and commando operation.

Presses for a Fascist Grand Council meeting as Italy's military and political crisis deepens.

Fails to prevent approval of the Grandi motion after a long overnight Grand Council debate.

Presents the order of the day that challenges Mussolini's leadership at the Fascist Grand Council.

Votes for Dino Grandi's motion against Mussolini at the Fascist Grand Council.

Votes for Dino Grandi's motion against Mussolini during the decisive Fascist Grand Council session.

Supports the Grandi motion that restores the King's constitutional authority.

Opposes Dino Grandi's motion and remains committed to the alliance with Germany.

Votes for the motion challenging Mussolini during the final Grand Council session.

Sees his motion approved by a majority of the Fascist Grand Council, fatally undermining Mussolini.

Faces the first meeting of the Fascist Grand Council since 1939 as senior Fascists challenge his leadership.

Moves to Hanslope Park to work on secure voice communications rather than returning to full-time Hut 8 work.

Harriman reaches Tehran with Roosevelt's party and prepares for discussions with Soviet and British representatives.

Harriman joins the senior delegations for Stalin's dinner and the discussions that continue afterward.

Harriman joins the senior Allied leaders for evening talks at the Soviet Embassy.

Invalided from command after a car crash

The Panzer Army Africa, (now called the German-Italian Panzer Army,) is redesignated as the Italian First Army and put under the command of Italian general Giovanni Messe, while Rommel is placed in command of a new Army Group Africa (Heeresgruppe Afrika)

Hopkins accompanies Roosevelt to Tehran and participates in political and strategic discussions during the summit.

Hopkins joins Roosevelt in discussions that shape the political atmosphere of the opening summit.

The Hydrocarbons Law unified petroleum rules and increased the state's share of industry revenues.

Von Neumann visits Los Alamos and emphasises the large compression attainable by implosion, strengthening interest in the method.

Neddermeyer begins experimental work on implosion as a method of rapidly compressing a hollow fissile assembly.

The Comm of National Liberation allows Algeria to have a say in running their country. Founds Committee of National Liberation in Algeria

The Comm of National Liberation allows Algeria to have a say in running their country. Founds Committee of National Liberation in Algeria

The 3 powers at the Tehran Conference agree to a post-war independent Iran

The 3 powers at the Tehran Conference agree to a post-war independent Iran

The Yugoslav Government in Cairo repudiates Titos provisional Government

Develops the Interior Ministry apparatus used by the Italian Social Republic across German-occupied territory.

Takes responsibility for the Interior Ministry of the Italian Social Republic.

Churchill & Roosevelt agree Gen Eisenhower will command Allied forces for the planned invasion of Europe, Eisenhowers appointment as Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, publicly announced by Roosevelt

Churchill & Roosevelt agree Gen Eisenhower will command Allied forces for the planned invasion of Europe, Eisenhowers appointment as Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, publicly announced by Roosevelt

Churchill & Roosevelt meet in Washington where they agree a cross-Channel invasion (Operation Overlord) to be provisionally be launched on 1 May 1944

Churchill & Roosevelt meet in Washington where they agree a cross-Channel invasion (Operation Overlord) to be provisionally be launched on 1 May 1944

Establishes the principle of an international organisation to for international peace

An attack on the Andaman Islands to coincide with a Chinese attack on Burma is agreed

An attack on the Andaman Islands to coincide with a Chinese attack on Burma is agreed

The British attempt to capture the Dodecanese after the surrender of Italy. The British are driven out of the Dodecanese & lose 5,000

An Allied Expeditionary force is formed for the invasion of Europe

Agreed to mount Overlord & send a diversionary force to the south of France in May 1944

Reports the Rhone Valley, Toulon & Marsaille are tempting areas for Allied invasion

The South of France is occupied by the 1Ninth Army & the Italian 4th Army is relieved

Supports the use of Swedish airbases to invade north France at a meeting with the Allies

Japanese troops cross into India

Allied forces land on the Italian mainland at Salerno, almost 400 landing craft and supply ships involved in landings

Prevents the Germans from separating the American & British forces

The Allies begin bombing the airfields of Siciliy as a prelude to invasion

Offerred 60 Landing Ship Tanks until 15 Dec

Ordered by Rundstedt to relieve the Italian 4th Army due to the possible fall of Italy

The Allies invade Italy, Hitler decides only the north can be held & forms Army Group B

Hitler orders the defence of Italy south of Rome

Commands German Divisions near Rome

Launches the German counterattacks after the Allied landings at Salerno

Drives the British back to Molina Pass after the Allied invasion at Salerno

Commands 8 German Divisions in Italy against the Allied invasion

Defends the Gustav line from Minturno to Cassino

Forced to withdraw 15 miles north of the Volturno Line

Complains the Allies in Italy cannot prevent Germans moving Divisions to the Eastern Front

Arrives in Malta to find the Eighth Army preparing for the invasion of Sicily

The invasion of Italy is brought forward to the 1st Sept

Baytown is approved, the Eighth Army will invade Italy across the Straits of Messina

Operation Baytown to land on the "toe" of Italy is set for the 2/3 Sept. Montgomery requests & gets additional forces for the Eighth Army

Some of the Eighth Army cross the Straits of Messina & land on the Calabrian Coast

13 Corps lands on the beaches between Reggio & Villa San Giovanni

Pins German forces down to divert them from the US 5th who are moving towards Naples

Requested to push on & threaten the German forces attacking the US 5th Army

The head of the Eighth Army joins with the right flank of the 5th US Army

Links up with the 5th Army & British 1st Airborne Division

Allied forces land on the Italian mainland at Salerno, almost 400 landing craft and supply ships involved in landings

Commands German Divisions in the south of Italy

Allied commanders agree to postpone an invasion of Rhodes in order to hold Italy

The disaster at Stalingrad was the end of Case Blue and the territorial gains had been reversed by the end of 1943, except for the Kuban bridgehead on the Taman peninsula, retained for a possible second offensive to the Caucasus, which was held until 9 October 1943

The German Armies are split at the Pripet Marshes

Kiev is re-captured & German armies in the Ukraine are threatened with encirclement

The Casablanca Conference agrees Sicily will be invaded in July & in August

The Allies agree at Trident to proceed with the invasion of Sicily as part of the Mediterranean strategy

Allies land on Sicily (Operation Husky): almost 3,000 landing craft, and supply ships involved in landings

Commands the 5th Army during the Allied invasion of Sicily

Supreme Allied commander for the attack of Sicily & the Axis "underbelly" in Europe

The Allies begin bombing the airfields of Siciliy as a prelude to invasion

The Allied invasion of Sicily begins

The Allies launch their invasion of Sicily

Commander of German forces in Sicily during the Allied invasion

Orders for the invasion of Sicily are given, operation "Huskey"

Withdraws from the battle in Tunisia to make detailed plans for the invasion of Sicily

Attends a conference to discuss the invasion of Sicily

The Eighth Army is released from Tunisia to train for the invasion of Sicily

Arrives in Malta to find the Eighth Army preparing for the invasion of Sicily

Pachino Airfield is captured in preparation for the invasion of Sicily

Planes fly from Tunisia & capture Ponte Grande for the invasion of Sicily

Lands ashore at the head of the Eighth Army

Transfers Tactical HQ from Malta to the front at Sicily

The Eighth Army arrives at Messina 2 hrs after Patton

Lands ashore at the head of the 7th Army

Commands the naval operations during the 1st day of the Allied landings on Siciliy

The Casablanca Conference agrees Sicily will be invaded in July & in August

Hitler issues Directive No. 51, a plan to deter or prevent an Allied invasion on Germany's western front

Field Marshal Rommel begins inspection of Atlantic Wall, Germany's coastal defence system stretching from Norway to the Spanish frontier

Launches Operation "Iskra" with the Leningrad garrison moving south along Lake Ladoga

Links up with the Volkhov front to repel the Germans after their siege of Leningrad

Jodl's operations staff helps coordinate German measures following Italy's armistice with the Allies.

Begins providing military and logistical cooperation to Allied forces operating in Italy.

As Navy Minister, transmits orders requiring major Italian naval units to comply with the armistice and sail to Allied-controlled ports.

Leads the main Italian battle fleet from La Spezia after the armistice orders are received.

Remains at the centre of military planning as Mussolini falls and Badoglio assumes power.

Jodl advises on German strategy for holding Italy after the collapse of Mussolini's alliance.

Heads the German-backed Italian Social Republic established in northern and central Italy.

Forms a new Fascist government that becomes known as the Italian Social Republic.

Secures Allied acceptance of active Italian cooperation against Germany after declaring war.

Joins Badoglio's government as Minister of Justice.

Joins the Italian Social Republic cabinet as Minister of Justice.

The first concrete is poured for the K-25 gaseous-diffusion plant building at Oak Ridge.

Surveying begins for the massive K-25 gaseous-diffusion uranium-enrichment plant at Oak Ridge.

King participates in the American Joint Chiefs review before the first Tehran plenary.

King contributes to discussion of naval resources and landing craft needed for forthcoming Allied operations.

Oppenheimer proposes recruiting explosives expert George Kistiakowsky to strengthen the expanding implosion programme.

Advances to the Kursk Salient

Molotov discusses security and Roosevelt's accommodation with Harriman and Clark Kerr before the formal conference begins.

Leahy joins senior American and British military leaders reviewing the remaining strategic questions.

Leahy accompanies Roosevelt to Tehran as the President's senior military adviser.

Marches 1,500 miles & joins up with Montgomerys Eighth Army

Appointed Lieutenant, 1st, on board the Wallace

Appointed Lieutenant, 1st, on board the Wallace

Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General (Generalleutnant)

Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General (Generalleutnant)

Eighth Army links with Allied forces advancing from the west as the Tunisian campaign closes on the Axis.

Establishes secret contact with Allied representatives to discuss conditions for an Italian armistice.

Navy Captain William Parsons arrives at Los Alamos to lead the Ordnance Division and direct gun-assembly development.

Serber begins a series of introductory lectures explaining bomb physics and design to the newly arriving Los Alamos scientific staff.

Roosevelt and Winston Churchill sign Quebec Agreement & a team of British scientists join the Manhattan Project as a result, including Klaus Fuchs

Roosevelt and Winston Churchill sign Quebec Agreement & a team of British scientists join the Manhattan Project as a result, including Klaus Fuchs

Roosevelt and Winston Churchill sign Quebec Agreement & a team of British scientists join the Manhattan Project as a result, including Klaus Fuchs

Construction begins for the first reactor at the Hanford Site

Project W-47, later called Project Alberta set up to plan delivery of the bomb

Project W-47, later called Project Alberta set up to plan delivery of the bomb

Launches attacks against the Mareth Line while preparing an outflanking move through the Tebaga Gap.

Marshall participates in the Combined Chiefs review before the third Tehran plenary.

Marshall supports concentrating Anglo-American strength on the cross-Channel invasion rather than dispersing resources.

Marshall reviews American support for a cross-Channel invasion before the opening summit discussions.

Evidence by the Nazis emerges of a massacre of Polish officers & soldiers by Russia

Awarded the Swords to the Oak Leaf for the withdrawal from Rhzev

Awarded the Oak Leaf to the Knights Cross by Adolf Hitler

Eighth Army defeats Rommel's attack at Medenine and retains the initiative in southern Tunisia.

Appointed Medical Officer at Auschwitz-Birkenau, gains the nickname "Angel of Death"

Jodl's staff reviews the defence of Italy and the Balkans after the Axis defeat in Tunisia.

Stalin opposes Mediterranean operations that might weaken Overlord while supporting a complementary landing in southern France.

Hitler persuades Mussolini to place the Italians under German command. Hitler persuades Mussolini not to make a separate peace. Hitler & Mussolini meet at Feltre in northern Italy

Churchill & Roosevelt meet in Quebec, Canada to further discuss Overlord timetable, planning

Churchill & Roosevelt meet in Quebec, Canada to further discuss Overlord timetable, planning

Eighth Army reaches Messina as organised Axis resistance in Sicily ends.

Is appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for gallant and distinguished military service in the Middle East.

Begins reorganizing royal Italian forces for active operations alongside the Allies.

Joins Mussolini's Italian Social Republic as Minister of National Defence.

Joins the Italian Social Republic as Minister of the Interior.

Travels on a secret mission to establish direct contact with Allied representatives about an armistice.

The British & US forces join up in North Africa

Mobilizes Army Group B which then control the north of Italy

Molotov attends Churchill's birthday dinner with the principal Allied political and military representatives.

Molotov joins the leaders and senior diplomats at Roosevelt's dinner after the first plenary.

Molotov joins Stalin, Roosevelt, Churchill and senior advisers for evening discussions after the second plenary.

Molotov meets Roosevelt after Stalin's private discussion with the President and before the opening plenary.

Directs Munchhausen, a prestige colour fantasy film made for UFA.

Loses his party office when the Badoglio government dissolves the National Fascist Party.

General Staff of the National Liberation Army is formed

Becomes a naturalized US citizen

Coordinates the reduced Italian Navy's operations and obligations under the armistice.

Joins Badoglio's government as Minister of the Navy.

The Navy approves Abelson's plan for a liquid thermal-diffusion pilot plant to enrich uranium.

Completes formation of a non-party cabinet of soldiers, officials and technocrats after Mussolini's dismissal.

The Russians begin an assault & force the Ninth Army on the defensive

National Liberation Army develops as the main partisan military force

Shares the medicine prize for discovering vitamin K.

Surrenders Axis forces in Tunisia after being promoted to Marshal of Italy, ending organized Axis resistance in North Africa.

Enters Tripoli after the Axis retreat from Egypt, removing the immediate landward threat to the Suez Canal.

Leaves North Africa after the Axis withdrawal westward, ending his direct threat to Egypt and Suez.

One of four operations orderred by Hitler to meet the Allied invasion of Italy. Calls for the rescue of Mussolini from captivity

Lands on the Abruzzi Appenines & rescues Mussolini from captivity

Fencing of the Oak Ridge reservation is completed and the secret production site is closed to normal public access.

Launches an offensive to cut off the 1st Panzer Army in the Dnieper Rive

Churchill joins Roosevelt and Stalin at the first plenary meeting of the Tehran Conference.

Roosevelt joins Churchill and Stalin at the first plenary meeting of the Tehran Conference.

Indecisive anti-partisan operation on the north Dalmatian coast, between Karlobag and Zadar, German and Croatian units provide the Axis force

Proposes sending 2 Divisions to south France as a diversion to Overlord

Directs Commanders to divert as many LCS carriers as possible to Overlord & Anvil

The German Armies are split at the Pripet Marshes

Soviet forces surround the mouth of the Dneiper

Soviet forces surrond 650,000 German troops in the Crimea

Operation Buccaner is agreed at the Cairo Conference. An attack on the Andaman Islands to coincide with a Chinese attack on Burma is agreed

Gets some LCTs from Burma against the Japanese for use in Operation Overlord

The disaster at Stalingrad was the end of Case Blue and the territorial gains had been reversed by the end of 1943, except for the Kuban bridgehead on the Taman peninsula, retained for a possible second offensive to the Caucasus, which was held until 9 October 1943

Allies land on Sicily (Operation Husky): almost 3,000 landing craft, and supply ships involved in landings

Supreme Allied commander for the attack of Sicily & the Axis "underbelly" in Europe

A planning staff known as Force 141 is established to plan the invasion of Sicily

Orders for the invasion of Sicily are given, operation "Huskey"

Withdraws from the battle in Tunisia to make detailed plans for the invasion of Sicily

Attends a conference to discuss the invasion of Sicily

Allies land on Sicily (Operation Husky): almost 3,000 landing craft, and supply ships involved in landings

Yamamoto directs Operation I-Go, a major Japanese air offensive against Allied positions in the Solomons and New Guinea.

Commands the US First Army during Operation Overlord

The HQ for the 1st US Army opens in England

Arrives in England to take command of the First Army

Churchill & Roosevelt meet in Washington where they agree a cross-Channel invasion (Operation Overlord) to be provisionally be launched on 1 May 1944

Churchill & Roosevelt meet in Quebec, Canada to further discuss Overlord timetable, planning

The initial draft of the COSSAC plan for Operation Overlord is accepted at the Quebec Conference in August 1943, but no supreme commander was appointed for several months

Confirms British committment to Overlord at the Cairo Conference

Agrees to mount Overlord & send a diversionary force to the south of France in May 1944

Churchill & Roosevelt agree Gen Eisenhower will command Allied forces for the planned invasion of Europe, Eisenhowers appointment as Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, publicly announced by Roosevelt

Eisenhower & Montgomerry insist that the scale of the invasion be expanded, to prevent the invaders being restricted to a narrow beachhead, with insufficient room to land follow-up formations, delaying Overlord to June. Eisenhower & Montgomerry both first see the COSSAC plan on 31 December 1943 at Marrakech in Morroco, in a conference with Winston Churchill

Gets some LCTs from Burma against the Japanese for use in Operation Overlord

Meets Russian representives & confirms the decision at Quebec to launch Overlord

Churchill & Roosevelt agree General Eisenhower will command Allied forces for the invasion of Europe

In December 1943, Operation Postage Able used an X-craft to collect suitable data for all of the Normandy beaches. Following Eisenhowers and Montgomerys revisions it is expanded to landings by 5 divisions and airborne descents by 3 divisions, in total, 47 divisions would be committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French

Appointed Supreme Allied Commander for Operation Overlord

Hitler issues Directive No. 51, a plan to deter or prevent an Allied invasion on Germany's western front

Field Marshal Rommel begins inspection of Atlantic Wall, Germany's coastal defence system stretching from Norway to the Spanish frontier

Says that "if they attack int westthat attack will decide the war"

The German radio intercept station is bombed & "wiped off the map"

The RAF bombs a German Air Force base about to bomb the Overlord Channel fleet

Directs Commanders to divert as many LCS carriers as possible to Overlord & Anvil

Given command of the assault phase for Overlord on the ground

47 divisions are committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French

Morgan & COSSAC advise landong in Normandy within the Bay of the Seine close to Caen

Ordered by the CCS to take "necessary executive action" to implement Overlord

Agreed to mount Overlord & send a diversionary force to the south of France in May 1944

Churchill & Roosevelt meet in Washington where they agree a cross-Channel invasion (Operation Overlord) to be provisionally be launched on 1 May 1944

Churchill & Roosevelt meet in Quebec, Canada to further discuss Overlord timetable, planning

Churchill & Roosevelt agree Gen Eisenhower will command Allied forces for the planned invasion of Europe, Eisenhowers appointment as Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, publicly announced by Roosevelt

In December 1943, Operation Postage Able used an X-craft to collect suitable data for all of the Normandy beaches

In December 1943, Operation Postage Able used an X-craft to collect suitable data for all of the Normandy beaches

Operation Rankin could win the war ahead of Operation Overlord

Operation Rankin could win the war ahead of Operation Overlord

The Allies agree to the completion of "Roundup" by 1st May 1944

The Trident Conference confirms planning for a cross Channel invasion while continuing Mediterranean operations

Expresses displeasure to Churchill & Roosevelt over the postponement of "Round Up"

The Allies agree to develop the atomic bomb, operation "Tube Alloys"

Quirnheim becomes involved in plans to use Operation Walkure against the Nazi regime

Colonel Henning von Tresckow found Olbrichts revision inadequate and greatly expanded the Valkyrie plan and drafted new supplementary orders

Argues that responsibility for Fascism and the war requires a political break with Victor Emmanuel III.

Made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath

Made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath

Introduces a motion calling for restoration of the King's constitutional military authority.

Churchill accepts the agreed plan for Overlord in 1944 together with a supporting operation against southern France.

Roosevelt accepts the coordinated plan for Overlord and a supporting operation against southern France in 1944.

Stalin presses for appointment of an Overlord commander and reiterates that the Soviet Union will fight Japan after Germany is defeated.

Roosevelt confirms agreement that Operation Overlord will be launched in May 1944.

Germany & Japan recognze Mussolinis Government of the 3rd anniversary of their Pact

Faces the loss of Palermo as Allied forces rapidly expand their control of western Sicily.

Surrenders the fortified island of Pantelleria after sustained Allied air and naval bombardment.

Builds local Republican Fascist Party organizations across territory controlled by the Italian Social Republic.

Takes leadership of the Republican Fascist Party as Mussolini rebuilds a Fascist regime under German protection.

Receives a permanent appointment as Brigadier General in the Regular Army.

Promoted permanently to Major General on the same day as his permanent brigadier-general appointment.

Italian plans to kidnap Hitler are published by the Germans

Churchill tells Stalin he has no attachment to a precise Polish-Soviet frontier but regards Soviet security and a strong independent Poland as essential.

Stalin discusses moving Poland's eastern frontier toward the Curzon Line while compensating Poland with territory farther west.

Roosevelt opens the Tehran political discussion by hoping Polish-Soviet relations can be restored before final decisions on disputed frontier questions.

Joins the Italian Social Republic as Minister of Popular Culture.

Moves to Delhi for senior military-intelligence work connected with India and the South-East Asian theatre.

Presents his diplomatic credentials to Pope Pius XII as Italy's ambassador to the Holy See.

Presents Stalin with a commemorative sword in honour of those who defended Stalingrad

Serves as undersecretary to the presidency of the Italian Social Republic.

Appointed de facto President of Argentina after Arturo Rawson

Appointed de facto President of Argentina after the 1943 coup

Villarroel assumes leadership of Bolivia after the December military coup.

Appointed President of the French Committee of National Liberation

Appointed President of the French Committee of National Liberation

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

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

King Victor Emmanuel III appoints Marshal Pietro Badoglio Prime Minister after dismissing Benito Mussolini.

Appointed Prime Minister of Poland, in exile

Project W-47, later called Project Alberta set up to plan delivery of the bomb

Project W-47, later called Project Alberta set up to plan delivery of the bomb

Project W-47, later called Project Alberta set up to plan delivery of the bomb

Promoted to temporary full General while commanding Allied forces in North Africa.

Bose establishes the Provisional Government of Free India as the political authority aligned with the Indian National Army.

Tito establishes a provisional Government at liberated Jajce, in Bosnia-Herzegovina

The Yugoslav Government in Cairo repudiates Titos provisional Government

Joins the Italian Social Republic cabinet as Minister of Public Works.

Eden challenges Molotov's claim that the 1939 Soviet frontier and the Curzon Line are identical, noting meaningful differences between them.

German night defences are disrupted by Allied chaff.

Becomes president and begins a transformative period in Real Madrid's institutional history.

Stalin uses the Katyn massacre to sever relations with the Polish Government. Stalin recognizes the "Union of Polish Patriots", the core of a Soviet puppet regime

Stalin recognizes the "Union of Polish Patriots", the core of a Soviet puppet regime

Deported to the Theresienstadt concentration camp

Loses power after the Grand Council vote and the King's decision to dismiss and arrest him.

Mussolini is answerable to the German plenipotentiary in Italy, Rudolf Rahn

Kerensky participates in republic declaration during his political career.

Broadcasts a speech announcing his return to political leadership and the restoration of Fascist rule.

Uses the Republican Fascist Party to mobilize political support for the Italian Social Republic.

Announces the re-creation of a Fascist political organization as the Republican Fascist Party.

Is appointed secretary of the newly reconstituted Republican Fascist Party.

Becomes commander of the Republican National Guard created by the Italian Social Republic.

Takes command of the new Republican National Guard formed from Fascist and security organizations.

Directs police administration for the Italian Social Republic during the consolidation of the new regime.

Churchill asks Stalin for a workable frontier formula that Britain could take back to the Polish Government in London.

Resigns because of differences with de Gaulle

The US Senate recognizes the need for an international peacekeeping organisation. Senate voting is 85-5 in favour

The defeat of the German Sixth Army strengthens Soviet control of the Stalingrad battlefield.

The German Sixth Army at Stalingrad ceases resistance, marking a major Soviet victory.

Paulus rejects the offered terms, so fighting at Stalingrad continues temporarily.

The German Sixth Army is eliminated as an effective field formation at Stalingrad.

The Allies adopt unconditional surrender as their declared objective for Germany, Italy and Japan.

The Italian government accepts Allied armistice terms and prepares to leave the Axis war effort.

Italy's surrender removes a major Axis partner from active war against the Allies.

Italy's surrender removes the country from the Axis war effort and opens the peninsula to further Allied operations.

Italy leaves the Axis war effort and enters an armistice with the Allies.

Disagrees with Hitler's strategy of scrapping the surface fleet & retires

Manstein persuades Hitler to order a retreat behind the River Dnieper

Manstein persuades Hitler to order a retreat behind the River Dnieper

Rommel returns to Germany. Retreats to the Mareth Line within the Tunisian border. Persues Montgomerys Eighth Army but loses 52 tanks & is driven back

Returns to Britain after his American cryptographic and secure-speech mission.

Returns to Kiev after Soviet forces retake the Ukrainian capital from German occupation.

Sees organized defence of Rome collapse as German forces take control of the city.

Roosevelt lands at Gale Morghe airfield and proceeds to the American Legation under tight security.

Roosevelt flies from Cairo to Tehran to meet Churchill and Stalin for the first Big Three summit.

Roosevelt hosts Churchill and Stalin for luncheon before the third plenary session.

Roosevelt inspects the Sword of Stalingrad after Churchill formally presents it to Stalin.

Bohlen interprets for Roosevelt during high-level conversations with Stalin and other Soviet representatives.

Roosevelt meets Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi during the Tehran Conference and discusses relations with Iran.

Roosevelt meets the Joint Chiefs to review American strategic positions before the first plenary session.

Roosevelt moves into the Soviet Embassy compound after security concerns are raised about travel through Tehran.

Roosevelt presents Churchill with a Kashan bowl during the Prime Minister's birthday dinner.

Roosevelt meets the American Chiefs of Staff before the second plenary session.

Roosevelt supports giving the cross-Channel invasion priority in Allied European strategy.

Roosevelt, Churchill & Kai-Shek demand Japans unconditional surrender. Roosevelt, Churchill & Kai-Shek demand Japans return to its 1894 boundaries

Directs reorganization of armed forces in the south for operations alongside Allied armies.

Leaves the capital with Badoglio and senior military officials as German forces threaten the royal government.

Re-establishes functioning royal authority from Brindisi in territory controlled by Italian and Allied forces.

Works with German authorities to create military formations for Mussolini's new regime.

Directs the Interior Ministry as the Fascist republic expands its internal-security apparatus.

Promotes recruitment and reconstruction of armed units for the Italian Social Republic.

Agrees to the European Advisery Commission to divide Germany into military zones

The 3 powers at the Tehran Conference move Polands frontiers westward

Oversees a dispersed government whose ministries are based around Salò and other towns near Lake Garda.

Leads renewed Italian attacks at Montelungo as co-belligerent forces prove their commitment against Germany.

Stalin meets Roosevelt privately before the second plenary to continue political and strategic discussions.

Churchill continues the strategic debate over Overlord, Mediterranean operations and supporting offensives.

Roosevelt joins Churchill and Stalin for the second full plenary meeting of the conference.

Authorizes secret contacts with the Allies while publicly maintaining that Italy remains at war.

Harriman relays Soviet security concerns and helps persuade Roosevelt to move into the Soviet Embassy compound.

Takes part in Allied planning for the invasion of Sicily and argues for a concentrated landing plan.

Redirects Eighth Army's main effort toward the east coast and Messina after heavy resistance inland.

Withdraws the remaining Axis forces from Sicily as the Allied campaign reaches Messina.

Directs Italian Sixth Army defensive operations as Allied landings open the Sicily campaign.

Jodl participates in high-level responses as Allied forces invade Sicily.

Commands Eighth Army as its formations land in south-eastern Sicily during Operation Husky.

Ousts the Germans from Bari

Ousts the Germans from Belvedere

Ousts the Germans from Cosenza

The German armies in the Ukraine are thrteatened with encirclement. Kiev is re-captured by the Russians

Vatutin launches a 4 day breakout from the Burkin bridgehead south of Kiev

Vatutins attacks from the Burkin bridgehead are repulsed

Ordered to plan the Russian recapture of Leningrad

Leads the 5th Army into Naples

Pins German forces down to divert them from the US 5th who are moving towards Naples

Leads the Eighth Army into Naples

Cables the Combined Chiefs of Staff calling for extra manpower & landing craft

Presents Stalin with a commemorative sword in honour of those who defended Stalingrad

The German troops are "liquidated"

Dies when the battleship Roma is sunk by German guided bombs while the Italian fleet sails toward Allied control.

Rokossovsky sends in a request for the German 6th Army to surrender, this is refused

Paulus surrenders the 6th Army at the Battle of Stalingrad

Rokossovsky sends in a request for the German 6th Army to surrender, this is refused

The most westerly of the 7 airfields supplying the German sixth army in Stalingrad

The German 6th Army surrenders

Churchill accepts a supporting operation against southern France, subject to the availability of landing craft.

Molotov participates in late-night preparatory discussions before the formal Tehran sessions open the following day.

Stalin accepts the tripartite pledge preserving Iran as a sovereign state after the war.

Voroshilov joins the Soviet military delegation during the opening Tehran discussions on Allied operations against Germany.

Stalin offers to launch a major Soviet offensive around the time of Overlord to pin German forces in the east.

Stalin states that the Soviet Union would enter war with Bulgaria if Bulgaria attacked Turkey after Turkish entry against Germany.

Stalin confirms Soviet support for Overlord and promises a major Soviet offensive to help prevent German reinforcement of France.

Stalin confirms that Soviet forces will attack around the time of Overlord to hinder German troop transfers westward.

Makes a public broadcast outlining plans for a post-war Britain

Last speech to Nazi party, "we shall go on fighting past 12 oclock"

Stalin argues that Overlord needs a clearly appointed commander responsible for its execution.

Stalin calls on Roosevelt shortly after the President moves into the Soviet Embassy compound.

Stalin presses the Western Allies for a firm commitment to launch Overlord in 1944.

Stalin participates in the third plenary meeting as agreement on 1944 operations takes shape.

Stalin meets the Shah of Iran while attending the summit in Tehran.

At Churchill's birthday dinner, Stalin praises American industrial output and the importance of Lend-Lease to the Soviet war effort.

Stalin emphasises the importance of a major Anglo-American second front in Western Europe.

Stalin warns that travel between delegations could expose the Allied leaders to danger from Axis sympathisers.

Stalin sends a message to Churchill asking for a Second Front

Opens up the Steppe Front

Miners go on strike

Strongly criticized by Truman for Russias behaviour in eastern Europe

Plans British strategy after the North African victory secures the Suez Canal and frees forces for Mediterranean operations.

Takes command of the Eighth Army after the North African campaign has protected Egypt and the Suez Canal.

Commands Middle East forces after the North African campaign has secured Egypt and the Suez Canal.

Churchill & Roosevelt agree Gen Eisenhower will command Allied forces for the planned invasion of Europe, Eisenhowers appointment as Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, publicly announced by Roosevelt

Appointed Supreme Allied Commander for Operation Overlord

Appointed Supreme Allied Commander for Operation Overlord at the Cairo Conference

Appointed Supreme Commander of the Mediterranean

Appointed Supreme Commander of the Mediterranean

Helps defeat the German 6th Army

Paulus surrenders the 6th Army at the Battle of Stalingrad

Offers surrender terms but they are rejected by Paulus

Paulus surrenders the German 6th Army

Roosevelt & Churchill demand the unconditional surrender of Germany, Italy & Japan

The Italian Government agrees to the Allied terms of surrender

Italy surrenders to the Allies

Italy surrenders to the Allies

Italy surrenders to the Allies

Stalin is handed the Stalingrad sword

Stalin accepts the Sword of Stalingrad and thanks Britain on behalf of the citizens of Stalingrad.

Churchill presents Stalin with the Sword of Stalingrad on behalf of King George VI and the British people.

Shifts strength toward the Tebaga Gap to turn the Axis flank and force abandonment of the Mareth Line.

Churchill leaves the summit with agreement on coordinated 1944 operations and continued three-power cooperation.

Churchill signs the declaration stating that the Allies have concerted their plans for the destruction of German forces.

Roosevelt signs the joint declaration confirming Allied agreement on coordinated military operations against Germany.

Churchill and the Anglo-American staffs review European strategy at Cairo before the forthcoming meeting with Stalin in Tehran.

Deane reports Soviet attitudes and likely strategic aims to the United States Joint Chiefs before the Tehran meeting.

Bethe is selected to head the Los Alamos Theoretical Division, which develops calculations needed for fission-weapon design.

Roosevelt joins Churchill and Stalin for the third formal plenary meeting.

Allied agreement to set up United Nations Commission on War Crimes

Becomes literary editor of Tribune.

Telegrams Churchill & Roosevelt saying he is a "passive observer". Roosevelt & Churchill agree to hold a tripartite conference including Russia

Marshall joins British and Soviet military representatives in a morning meeting on coordinated operations.

The conference concludes that American, British and Soviet military staffs should maintain close contact over forthcoming European operations.

Eighth Army enters Tripoli after the long pursuit from El Alamein across Libya.

Churchill joins the conclusion that Allied strategy would benefit if Turkey entered the war before the end of 1943.

Is appointed to command 21st Army Group for the coming Allied invasion of north-west Europe.

Allied agreement to set up United Nations Commission on War Crimes

A contract is concluded with the University of California to manage Los Alamos administration, procurement and payroll.

Hitler agrees to withdraw from the Rhzev sector. Germany retains possession of Rhzev

Model prepares for the withdrawal from Rhzev

Segre measures a lower-than-expected spontaneous-fission rate for uranium-235, easing design requirements for the uranium gun weapon.

Proposes to setup a secret underground camp in the Harz Mountains to produce V2s

Approves the underground Harz Mountain site to produce V2 Rockets

In charge of secret underground camps in the Harz Mountains to produce V2 rockets

100 prisoners from Buchenwald in the Harz Mountains secretly produce V2 rockets

Backs the Verona Manifesto adopted by the Republican Fascist Party as the political programme of the Italian Social Republic.

Promotes the Verona Manifesto as the political programme of Republican Fascism.

Leads the Republican Fascist Party congress at Verona.

Accepts a programme combining republican Fascism, socialization proposals and continued alliance with Germany.

Appointed Viceroy of India, officially installed

Visits Turkey to get it to join the Allies, Turkey refuses because it distrusts Russia

Receives recognition for research connecting nutrition with blood coagulation.

Voroshilov participates in military discussions linking Soviet operations with the Anglo-American invasion of Western Europe.

Eighth Army breaks the Wadi Akarit position and continues north toward the remaining Axis bridgehead.

Wants operations in the eastern Mediterranean to tempt Turkey into joining the Allies

Joins Badoglio's first government as Minister of War.

Retains responsibility for war production in Badoglio's first post-Fascist government.

Churchill proposes shifting Poland westward, compensating eastern territorial losses with German lands including parts of East Prussia and territory toward the Oder.

Bomber Command uses Window during attacks on Hamburg.

Supports use of chaff to confuse German radar.

Chemical separation of reactor-produced plutonium begins using irradiated fuel from the X-10 Graphite Reactor.

Groves presses for the first Y-12 electromagnetic racetrack to be completed by July as detailed plant plans are reviewed.

After repeated failures to operate the first Alpha racetrack reliably, Y-12 is shut down for major equipment rebuilding.

The Yugoslav Government in Cairo repudiates Titos provisional Government

Stalin joins the agreement to provide Yugoslav Partisans with supplies, equipment and commando support.

Birth of Alan James Beith

Birth of Carlos Alberto Gomes Parreira

Birth of Christopher Walken

Birth of David Walker

Birth of George Harrison, in Speke

Birth of George Harrison in Liverpool.

Birth of James Douglas "Jim", Melbourne, Florida, son of Admiral George Stephen Morrison

Birth of Janis Joplin

Birth of Doors vocalist Jim Morrison.

Birth of June Ellen Child

Birth of Keith Richards, later guitarist and songwriter of the Rolling Stones.

Birth of Mary Wells

Birth of Michael Edward Palin

Birth of Michael Philip Jagger

Birth of Mick Jagger, later lead singer of the Rolling Stones.

Pervez Musharraf is born in Delhi on 11 August 1943.

Birth of Kinks bassist Peter Quaife.

Birth of Rafael Leonardo Callejas Romero

Birth of Robert "Bob" Woodward

Birth of Roger Waters, later bassist, lyricist and conceptual leader of Pink Floyd

Birth of Sani Abacha

Death of Boris III, assassinated

Death of Leslie Howard

Death of William Aberhart

Dies in a plane crash at Gibraltar

Doenitz withdraws the U-boats from the North Atlantic

Yamasaki leads the final Japanese attack on Attu and is killed as organized resistance collapses.

Rommel tries to halt the Eighth 200 miles east of Tripoli but retreats to Tripoli

Rommel tries to halt the Eighth 200 miles east of Tripoli but retreats to Tripoli

Leads the Free French against Rommel for 16 days. Forced to withdraw but has given the British valuable time in which to regroup

March 15-March 19, 37 U-boats chase 98 merchant ships sinking 21 & losing 1 U-boat

Twelve ships are sunk with the loss of two U-boats

Forced to evacuate from Guadalcanal

Forced to authorize a withdrawal from Kharkov

Authorized by Hitler to withdraw from Kharkov

The Russians capture Kiev

The Germans fail to hold Kursk

Leads the northern arm of the siege of Kursk

Final day of the abortive siege of Kursk as the Russians launch a counter-offensive

Secures a military victory over the Germans at Orel

Leads the First Motorized Group in its first major combat action against German forces at Montelungo.

47 divisions are committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French

Orel falls to the Russians

Rokossovskys central front captures Orel from the Germans

Destroys the 3rd Soviet Tank Army

The Russians lose 42,000 men. Awarded the Swords to the Oak Leaf for the withdrawal from Rhzev

The Russians offer Paulus the chance to surrender but Hitler rejects the offer

Makes Paulus Field Marshal because a German Field Marshal has never been captured

Paulus, with 25 other generals, surrenders to the Russians

The remainder of the German forces in Stalingrad lay down their arms

The disaster at Stalingrad was the end of Case Blue and the territorial gains had been reversed by the end of 1943, except for the Kuban bridgehead on the Taman peninsula, retained for a possible second offensive to the Caucasus, which was held until 9 October 1943

Personally accepts the surrender of Marshal Paulus & his 6th Army

Put in command of the air supply of Stalingrad by Hitler, Goerings deputy

Rokossovsky sends in a request for the German 6th Army to surrender, this is refused

The last German airfield at Gumrak is captured

The Russians offer Paulus the chance to surrender but Hitler rejects the offer

Hitler promotes Paulus to Field Marshal because no Field Marshal has ever surenderred

The Germans have lost 600,000 & the Russians 400,000. Paulus surrenders the 6th Army at the Battle of Stalingrad

Rokossovsky sends in a request for the German 6th Army to surrender, this is refused

The 65th Army advances 5 miles in the first day

The last German airfield at Gumrak is captured

The Germans under Paulus surrender Stalingrad to Rokossovsky

Paulus surrenders the German 6th Army. During the battle the Germans lose 600,000 & the Russians 400,000

The remainder of the German forces in Stalingrad lay down their arms

The German 6th Army surrenders. Since Zhkovs counter-attack 32 Axis Divisions & 3 Axis Brigades have been destroyed

Defeats Rommel in the Wadu Akarit in Tunisia