1 January 1939GeneralFriedrich Fromm
Appointed General of the Artillery
Historical records for Germany in 1939, rendered directly from the World History Database and ordered by month, day and event.
Appointed General of the Artillery
Jews have to add the name Israel to their signature
Hermann Goering Appoints Reinhard Heydrich as Head of Jewish Emigration
Hermann Goering Appoints Reinhard Heydrich as Head of Jewish Emigration
Appointed President of the Reichsbank
Prior to the beginning of World War II, during a speech (the six year anniversary of his accession to power), Hitler foretold the coming Holocaust of European Jewry
Makes a speech praising the Italian Government & its leader Mussolini
Prior to the beginning of World War II, during a speech (the six year anniversary of his accession to power), Hitler foretold the coming Holocaust of European Jewry
Schacht is dismissed as President of the Reichsbank
Schacht is dismissed as President of the Reichsbank
Recieves the Czech Foreign Secretary Chvalkovsky & threatens the breakup of Czech
All women under 25 are required to do 1 year labour service
The Slovak leader Tuka visits Hitler & "lays the future of my people in your hands"
Now working for the DAF, Porsche built a new Volkswagen factory at Fallersleben, at a huge cost which was partly met by raiding the DAF's accumulated assets and misappropriating the dues paid by DAF members.
The DAF and KdF's most ambitious program was the "people's car," the Volkswagen, originally a project undertaken at Hitler's request by the car-maker Ferdinand Porsche.
The Volkswagen was sold to German workers on an installment plan, and the first models appeared in February 1939
The party, he said, had taken over where private industry had failed, because of the "short-sightedness, malevolence, profiteering and stupidity" of the business class.
When the German car industry was unable to meet Hitler's demand that the Volkswagen be sold at 1,000 Reichsmarks or less, the project was taken over by the DAF. This brought Ley's old socialist tendencies back into prominence.
Working for the DAF, Porsche built a new Volkswagen factory at Fallersleben, at a huge cost partly met by raiding the DAF's accumulated assets and misappropriating the dues paid by DAF members
Brought Ley's socialist tendencies back into prominence. The party he said had taken over where private industry had failed, because of the "short-sightedness, malevolence, profiteering and stupidity" of the business class
The DAF and KDF's most ambitious program is the "people's car," the Volkswagen, originally a project undertaken at Hitler's request by Ferdinand Porsche
The Volkswagen is sold to German workers on an installment plan, the first models appear in February 1939
When the German car industry is unable to meet Hitler's demand that the Volkswagen be sold at 1,000 Reichsmarks or less, the project is taken over by the DAF
Working for the DAF, Porsche built a new Volkswagen factory at Fallersleben, at a huge cost partly met by raiding the DAF's accumulated assets and misappropriating the dues paid by DAF members
The Czech President Hacha dismisses the Ruthenian Government from office
The Czech President Hacha dismisses the Slovak Government from office
The remainder of Czechoslovakia is occupied, 10-16 March
Allied appeasement ends when Germany occupies the remainder of Czech, Bohemia-Moravia
Slovakia proclaims its independence
Slovakia proclaims its independence
Announces Hungarian troop movements on the Slovak-Hungarian border
Hitler advises Jozef Tiso to declare Slovakias independence in order to prevent its partition by Hungary and Poland
German troops occupy Ostrava while Hacha visits Hitler in an attempt to save Czech
Hacha is forced to sign a communique placing "Czech people in the hands of the Fuhrer"
Hacha is forced to sign a communique placing "Czech people in the hands of the Fuhrer"
Visited by Tiso & Durcansky, Hitler demands the separation of Slovakia from Czech
When Slovak deputies meet Tiso reads out a declaration of independence
Visited by Tiso & Durcansky, Hitler demands the separation of Slovakia from Czech
When Slovak deputies meet Tiso reads out a declaration of independence
German troops occupy Ostrava while Hacha visits Hitler in an attempt to save Czech
Hacha is forced to sign a communique placing "Czech people in the hands of the Fuhrer"
Visited by Tiso & Durcansky, Hitler demands the separation of Slovakia from Czech
The Slovak provincial assembly proclaims independence; priest Jozef Tiso becomes the president of the independent Slovak Government
Bohemia is taken under German protection
Moravia is taken under German protection
Leads the 3rd army into Bohemia as Hitler takes over Czechoslovakia
German troops occupy the remaining part of Bohemia and Moravia; Czechoslovakia ceases to exist. German troops cross the Czech border
Hitler sleps in the Presidential Palace
German troops occupy the remaining part of Bohemia and Moravia; Czechoslovakia ceases to exist
German troops occupy the remaining part of Bohemia and Moravia; Czechoslovakia ceases to exist
Hitler occupied the Czech lands, violating the Munich pledge that the Sudetenland was Germany's final territorial demand.
Slovakia proclaims independence & declares support for Nazi Germany
Slovakia proclaims independence & declares support for Nazi Germany
Hitler proclaims a Proctecorate over Bohemia & Moravia
Allows the Hungarians to capture Ruthenia & establish a border with Poland
Hitler proclaims a Proctecorate over Bohemia & Moravia, Czech ceases to exist
Hitler proclaims a Proctecorate over Bohemia & Moravia, Czech ceases to exist
Hitler proclaims a Proctecorate over Bohemia & Moravia, Czech ceases to exist
Censors the press & removes all opposition including trades unions & political parties
Censors the press & removes all opposition including trades unions & political parties
Appointed Reich Protector of Bohemia & Moravia
Censors the press & removes all opposition including trades unions & political parties
A Treaty between Germany & Slovakia to establish a German Protectorate is signed
Contains a secret protocol giving Germany exclusive rights to exploit Slovakia. Approves the Treaty of Protection in Vienna
Hosts Polish Ambassador Jozef Lipski & demands the return of the Free City of Danzig
Hosts Polish Ambassador Jozef Lipski & demands the return of the Free City of Danzig
The Lithuanian Government decides to return the Memel District to the Reich. Lithuanian military units begin withdrawing from Memel during the early morning hours - Lithuanian district governor Gailus turns power over to the Nazi dominated local assembly - 2 pm Lithuanian delegation arrives in Berlin for talks
Article 4 of the state Treaty renounces the use of force between Germany and Lithuania, and pledges that neither would support a third country against the other signatory
Germany in in the Treaty provides generous support for the economic needs of Lithuania and gave Lithuania the right to establish a Lithuanian Free Zone in the Memel harbor.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Urbsys signs the convention returning Memel to Germany at 1 am retroactive to March 22,1939.
The Kriegsmarine is deprived of a chance to launch a planned amphibious assault but was accorded the honor of delivering the Fueher to the city for a celebration of his last bloodless conquest.
The Treaty of 23 March affirms the return of the Memel District, which had been separated by the Treaty of Versailles, to Germany.
Adolf Hitler sails into the harbor at Memel at the head of a strong German naval force and spoke to the loyal people of the most remote German territory
The Lithuanian Parliament approves the convention returning Memel to Germany unanimously and without abstention
Britain and France guarantee Polands defense (Anglo French Assurance Pact), a pact with Poland to come to their defense if Germany attacked
Birth of Volker Schlondorff.
Enters Prague
With the founding of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA), the Sicherheitspolizei as a functioning state agency ceased to exist as the department was merged into the RSHA. Also the RSHA obtained overall command of the Einsatzgruppen
In preparation for war with Poland, in the spring of 1939 Hitler demands the annexation of the Free City of Danzig to Germany and extraterritorial rail access for Germany across the "Polish Corridor," the Polish frontier to East Prussia
With the founding of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA), the Sicherheitspolizei as a functioning state agency ceased to exist as the department was merged into the RSHA. Also the RSHA obtained overall command of the Einsatzgruppen
In preparation for war with Poland, in the spring of 1939 Hitler demands the annexation of the Free City of Danzig to Germany and extraterritorial rail access for Germany across the "Polish Corridor," the Polish frontier to East Prussia
With the founding of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA), the Sicherheitspolizei as a functioning state agency ceased to exist as the department was merged into the RSHA. Also the RSHA obtained overall command of the Einsatzgruppen
Jodl is promoted to Generalmajor while serving as Artillery Commander 44.
Adolf Hitler orders the German military to start planning for Fall Weiss, the codename for the invasion of Poland
Issues "Case White", secret plans to be carried out from 1st September 1939
The Anglo-German Naval Agreement is renounced by Adolf Hitler
The Anglo-German Naval Agreement is renounced by Adolf Hitler. Hitler says all he requests from Poland is Danzig & the Polish Corridor
Hitler says all he requests from Poland is Danzig & the Polish Corridor
Hitler says all he requests from Poland is Danzig & the Polish Corridor
Hitler says all he requests from Poland is Danzig & the Polish Corridor
Appointed heads of the civil administration in Czechoslovakia
Death of Karl Eduard Wilhelm Groener
Takes minutes at a Chancellery conference when Hitler declares war is inevitable
Signs the Pact for Germany with Italy
Death of Ernst Toller, suicide rather than witness the further growth of fascism
Consequently, Italy did not enter World War II until June 1940, with a delayed invasion of Southern France. The pact consisted of two parts.
Due to this disagreement, the pact was signed without Japan and became an agreement between Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, signed on 22 May 1939 by Foreign Ministers Galeazzo Ciano of Italy and Joachim von Ribbentrop of Germany.
The Pact aimed to ensure that neither country was able to make peace without the agreement of the other. The agreement was based on the assumption that a war would not occur within three years.
The Pact of Steel obliged Germany and Italy to aid the other country militarily, economically or otherwise in the event of war, and to collaborate in wartime production.
The first section was an open declaration of continuing trust and cooperation between Germany and Italy while the second, a "Secret Supplementary Protocol", encouraged a union of policies concerning the military and economy.
The pact was initially drafted as a tripartite military alliance between Japan, Italy and Germany. While Japan wanted the focus of the pact to be aimed at the Soviet Union, Italy and Germany wanted it aimed at Britain and France.
When Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939 and war broke out on 3 September, Italy was not yet prepared for conflict and had difficulty meeting its obligations.
Although intended to last 10 years, it was effectively cancelled in 1943 with removal of Italy's fascist Government
Due to this disagreement, the pact was signed without Japan and became an agreement between Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, signed on 22 May 1939 by Foreign Minister's Galeazzo Ciano of Italy and Joachim von Ribbentrop of Germany. The pact consisted of two parts.
The first section was an open declaration of continuing trust and cooperation between Germany and Italy while the second, a "Secret Supplementary Protocol", encouraged a union of policies concerning the military and economy.
The pact was initially drafted as a tripartite military alliance between Japan, Italy and Germany. While Japan wanted the focus of the pact to be aimed at the Soviet Union, Italy and Germany wanted it aimed at Britain and France.
Death of Ernst Toller, suicide rather than witness the further growth of fascism
Takes the salute of the Condor Legion after their return from the Spanish Civil War
Appointed Chief of Staff of the XIX Motorised Corps
Summons the League of Nations High Commissioner and threatens to crush the Poles
Sends a message to Molotov outlining the Russo-German Non-Aggression Pact
Handed a draft of the non-aggression pact by Molotov
Handed a draft of the non-aggression pact by Molotov
Cables Stalin accepting the draft for the pact & urges ratification of the Treaty
It is anounced that Germany & Russia have concluded a commercial agreement
Signs a trade agreement with Russia
Langsdorff takes Admiral Graf Spee to sea before the outbreak of war, heading for a waiting area in the South Atlantic.
Announces a probable invasion of Poland on 26th August
Addresses generals saying that "Might is right"
Flies to Moscow to sign the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact with Stalin
Japan renounces the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany
Japan renounces the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany
Receives news from Stalin the Soviets will sign the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Meets with Stalin in Moscow who signs the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Signs the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Signs the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. Russia & Germany will not attack each other for 10 yrs with an option for 5 more yrs
The German forces for the invasion of Poland codename Fall Weiss are divided into Army Group North (German 3rd and 4th armies) and Army Group South (German 8th, 10th, and 14th armies), and the Slovakian Army Group Bernolak
The German forces for the invasion of Poland codename Fall Weiss are divided into Army Group North (German 3rd and 4th armies) and Army Group South (German 8th, 10th, and 14th armies), and the Slovakian Army Group Bernolak
208th Infantry Division - Commanded by General Moritz Andreas, consists of the 309th, 337th, and 338th Infantry Regiments
The Eighth Army is commanded by General of Infantry Johannes Blaskowitz
23rd Infantry Division - Commanded by General Walter Graf von Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt, consists of the 9th, 67th, and 68th Infantry Regiments
The SS broadcasts a provocative message from Gleiwitz radio station
The German forces for the invasion of Poland codename Fall Weiss are divided into Army Group North (German 3rd and 4th armies) and Army Group South (German 8th, 10th, and 14th armies), and the Slovakian Army Group Bernolak. SS men dressed in Polish uniforms stage a border skirmish at Hochlinden
206th Infantry Division - Commanded by General Hugo Hofl, consists of the 301st, 312th, and 413rd Infantry Regiments
The 4th Army is commanded by General of Artillery Guenther von Kluge
XI Corps - Commanded by General Emil Lee
The 14th Army is commanded by Colonel General Wilhelm List
73rd Infantry Division - Commanded by General Friedrich von Rabenau, consists of the 170th, 186th, and 213th Infantry Regiments
The Tenth Army is commanded by General of Artillery Walter von Reichenau
10th Panzer Division - Commanded by General Ferdinand Schaal, consists of the 4th Panzer Brigade and 10th Motorized Rifle Brigade
X Corps - Commanded by General Wilhelm Ulex
XIII Corps - Commanded by General Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Weichs
The German forces for the invasion of Poland codename Fall Weiss are divided into Army Group North (German 3rd and 4th armies) and Army Group South (German 8th, 10th, and 14th armies), and the Slovakian Army Group Bernolak
The Tenth Army is commanded by General of Artillery Walter von Reichenau
Shortly before war begins, Jodl returns to the OKW to head the Wehrmachtführungsamt.
In the invasion of Poland, Kleist commandeds the XXII Panzer Corps
Instrumental in bringing about the August 1939 German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Jodl returns from troop command to senior operational work at OKW shortly before the invasion of Poland.
Appointed Commander of the 4th Army in Poland
Appointed Commander of the 4th Army in Poland
At the outbreak of the Second World War Quirnheim serves as a staff officer in the organisational division of the German General Staff
Has the task of seizing the Polish Corridor & threatening Warsaw from the north
The Luftwaffe attacks Polish airfields and supports the German invasion of Poland
The Luftwaffe make a preemptive strike against Polish airfields. The Luftwaffe gains air superiority but loses 500 aircraft during a 4 week campaign
Commands XIX Panzer Corps, perfects his blitzkrieg technique
The invasion begins one week after the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and ends October 6, 1939, with Germany and the Soviet Union occupying the entirety of Poland
Has the task of destroying Polish forces on the border before approaching Warsaw
The Luftwaffe make a preemptive strike against Polish airfields. The Luftwaffe gains air superiority but loses 500 aircraft during a 4 week campaign
Jodl serves in the OKW operations leadership as Germany begins the invasion of Poland.
Has the task of seizing the Polish Corridor & threatening Warsaw from the north
The invasion begins one week after the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and ends October 6, 1939, with Germany and the Soviet Union occupying the entirety of Poland
Has the task of destroying Polish forces on the border before approaching Warsaw
Polands western allies, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand declare war on Germany, soon followed by France, South Africa and Canada
The Polish airforce is destroyed
Cordell Hull proclaims American neutrality. Australia and New Zealand are at war with Germany
Crosses the Polish corridor
Cordell Hull proclaims American neutrality
The Battle had cost 150 killed from 4 Divisions
Roznan is captured by the Germans
The Polish Corridor is breached
The Germans capture Cracow
Watches the destruction of a Polish Army Corps from a special train
France crosses into the Saar but only advances a few miles
The German Tenth Army are within 40 miles of Warsaw
Orders the, "Polish Ruling Class is to be put out of harms way as far as possible"
Appointed Head of the SS
Appointed Head of the SS
The German Tenth Army are within 40 miles of Warsaw
The 4th Panzer Div launches the 1st attack on Warsaw
The 4th Panzer Div launches the 1st attack on Warsaw
Canada declares war on Germany
Graf Spee begins an extended wait roughly 900 miles east of Bahia while Berlin withholds permission to attack Allied merchant shipping.
Informs his adjutant that he intends to invade te West as soon as Poland is captured
Warsaw is heavilly bombed
Artillery bombardment of a city is introduced for the 1st time against Warsaw
Warsaw is surrounded by German troops, Hitler orders its bombardment
The Bzura "pocket" is contained by the German Army Group South
The Poles refuse to surrender Warsaw
Commands a Panzer force which captures Brest Litovsk
The Soviet Red Army invades the eastern regions of Poland in cooperation with Germany. Russian troops march into eastern Poland
The Soviet Red Army invades the eastern regions of Poland in cooperation with Germany
Takes the march past in Danzig. Refers to "Almighty God, who has now given our arms his blessing"
The Red Army & German troops join up at Brest Litovsk
Hitler triumphantly enters Danzig & offers concilliation with France & Britain
The Red Army & German troops join up at Brest Litovsk
Takes the march past in Danzig
Signs a secret decree legitimizing the murder of Germans deemed to be "incurably ill"
Germany & Russia declares that Poland no longer exists
Hitler watches his troops cross the River San
Lvov is captured
Langsdorff receives orders authorising attacks on Allied merchant shipping and begins active commerce raiding.
Warsaw surrenders to the Germans
Appointed Head of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA)
Sent to agree Stalins latest demands after the Russian invasion of eastern Poland
Hitler informs some of his commanders that he intends to invade France
Sent to agree Stalins latest demands after the Russian invasion of eastern Poland
Given Polish & Russian food & raw materials in exchange for RM1 billion military aid
Created by Himmler. The Reich Main Security Office Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA) was an organization subordinate to Heinrich Himmler in his dual capacities as Chef der Deutschen Polizei (Chief of German Police) and Reichsfuhrer-SS, the head of the Nazi Party's Schutzstaffel (SS). The organization's stated duty was to fight all "enemies of the Reich" inside and outside the borders of Nazi Germany
Ribbentrop & Molotov meet & split Poland in 2
The Germans are given land between the Vistula & western Bug. Ribbentrop & Molotov meet & split Poland in 2
Ribbentrop & Molotov meet & split Poland in 2
The Germans are given land between the Vistula & western Bug
The Soviet Germany Boundary & Friendship Treaty is signed
Uses his position as the most senior ambassador in Moscow to allow Polish diplomats (including ambassador Waclaw Grzybowski) to leave the Soviet Union, when the Soviets tried to arrest them
Predicts that Britain will not attack in the west while Germany invades Poland
The Germans construct the Stutthof camp in a wooded area west of Stutthof, a town about 22 miles east of Danzig
Germany and the Soviet Union completely overrun Poland, although the Polish Government never surrendered
Graf Spee captures the British merchant Newton Beech and temporarily uses the vessel to hold prisoners and a German prize crew.
Makes a speech in the Reichstag appealing to the west for peace
Hitler's offers of peace to France & Britain are rejected
Resistance in Poland comes to an end
Hitler orders a conquest of the Low Countries to forestall the French and prevent Allied air power from threatening the vital German Ruhr Area
Langsdorff sinks the British merchant Ashlea after removing her crew, who are transferred to the captured Newton Beech.
The last organized Polish troops surrender
Hitler issues a new "Fuhrer-Directive Number 6"
No mention in the Fuhrer-Directive of any immediate attack to conquer the whole of France, although the directive reads that as much as possible of the border areas in northern France should be occupied
Graf Spee captures the British merchant Huntsman and uses the larger ship as a temporary prisoner vessel.
Britain refuses Hitler's offer of peace
In a French TV broadcast Daladier dismisses Hitler's offer of peace
Chamberlain dismisses Hitler's offer of peace
France refuses Hitler's offer of peace
Commands the U-47 which penetrates the British anchorage & sinks the Royal Oak
Commands the U-47 which penetrates the British anchorage & sinks the Royal Oak
U-47's second torpedo salvo struck Royal Oak shortly after 01:00 on 14 October, causing explosions that sank the battleship within minutes.
A Treaty with Estonia provides for the transfer of Estonians of German origin
Graf Spee meets supply ship Altmark to receive fuel and stores while continuing the Atlantic raiding cruise.
A Treaty with Estonia provides for the transfer of Estonians of German origin
1st air attack on British territory
After Huntsman's prisoners are transferred to Altmark, Langsdorff has the captured merchant ship scuttled.
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
Gives the armed forces orders for the liquidation of Czech
Gives the armed forces orders for the invasion of Memel
Gives the armed forces orders for the defence of Germany
Commands the army of occupation in Poland with his HQ in Spala
Commands the army of occupation in Poland with his HQ in Spala
Graf Spee sinks the British merchant Trevanion after the ship attempts to transmit a distress report.
Appointed Governor General of Poland, of the annexed Polish territories
Appointed Governor General of Poland, of the annexed Polish territories
Appointed Governor General of Poland, of the annexed Polish territories
Appointed Governor General of Poland, of the annexed Polish territories
Belgium declares its neutrality
Graf Spee meets Altmark near Tristan da Cunha for another refuelling before turning toward the Indian Ocean.
Langsdorff turns Graf Spee toward the Indian Ocean to widen the search for merchant targets and complicate British tracking.
Halder presens Aufmarschanweisung N°2, Fall Gelb, a secondary attack on The Netherlands
Halder presens Aufmarschanweisung N°2, Fall Gelb, a secondary attack on The Netherlands
Treaty with Latvia for the evacuation of Germans from the Baltic
Treaty with Latvia for the evacuation of Germans from the Baltic
Jodl participates in planning for a German offensive through the Low Countries and France.
Oster warns the Dutch military attache about an invasion
Halder & Beck plot to arrest Hitler if he launches a western offensive
Halder & Beck plot to arrest Hitler if he launches a western offensive
Commencement of deportation Jews from western Poland
The German attack of the West is postponed because of bad weather
Hans Frank makes plans to deport 600,000 Jews & 400,000 Poles from Poland
Hans Frank makes plans to deport 600,000 Jews & 400,000 Poles from Poland
A bomb explodes in the Burgerbraukeller killing 8 but Hitler left 20 mins prior
Takes up post as Governor of General
Graf Spee sinks the small British tanker Africa Shell in the Mozambique Channel after removing the crew.
Langsdorff stops the Dutch merchant Mapia but releases the neutral vessel after establishing that it cannot lawfully be taken.
The armed forces are ordered to be ready for the occupation of Danzig
The armed forces are ordered to be ready for the occupation of Danzig
Arrested for trying to blow up Hitler, imprisoned in Dachau
Jodl works on plans as Hitler considers whether the western offensive should include the Netherlands.
Geor Elser plants a bomb which nearly kills Hitler
Geor Elser plants a bomb which nearly kills Hitler
Graf Spee sinks Doric Star after the British refrigerated cargo ship transmits a distress report that helps reveal the raider's operating area.
Graf Spee sinks the British merchant Tairoa one day after Doric Star while moving back toward South American trade routes.
Graf Spee completes its final wartime rendezvous with Altmark before proceeding toward the River Plate shipping lanes.
Graf Spee sinks the British steamer Streonshalh, the final merchant ship destroyed during Langsdorff's commerce-raiding cruise.
The Graf Spee has sunk 9 merchant ships, not a single life had been lost
The Graf Spee has sunk 9 merchant ships, not a single life had been lost
Langsdorff heads toward the River Plate region, where heavy merchant traffic offers a final opportunity before an intended return voyage.
Jodl discusses plans for an invasion of Norway with Hitler, Keitel and Raeder.
The Graf Spee enters the neutral port of Montevideo. Allowed to stay for 24 hours under the terms of the Hague convention of 1907
Graf Spee sights British warships on the morning of 13 December while approaching the River Plate area.
Langsdorff initially mistakes Ajax and Achilles for destroyers accompanying a cruiser, underestimating the British force ahead.
The Graf Spee enters the neutral port of Montevideo
Believing he has found a vulnerable force, Langsdorff closes rapidly instead of exploiting Graf Spee's longer-range heavy guns.
Graf Spee opens fire on HMS Exeter with 283-millimetre guns shortly after 06:17 as the Battle of the River Plate begins.
After the engagement, Langsdorff heads for neutral Montevideo to land wounded men, release prisoners and assess battle damage.
The Graf Spee enters the neutral port of Montevideo
Langsdorff alters course as British cruisers attempt torpedo attacks, repeatedly using manoeuvre and smoke to complicate their firing.
Graf Spee enters Montevideo shortly after midnight, beginning an intense diplomatic dispute over repairs and the permitted length of stay.
Issues OKW command to begin plans to invade orway
Buries the casualties of the battle
The crew are evacuated & the Graf Speee is scuttled, Langsdorf then shoots himself. Decides to scuttle his ship in the Plate Estuary to avoid unnecessary loss of life for no military advantage, against Hitler's will
The armed forces are ordered to be ready for the occupation of the rest of Czech
Decides to scuttle his ship in the Plate Estuary to avoid unnecessary loss of life for no military advantage, against Hitler's will
Langsdorff evacuated most of his crew before scuttling Admiral Graf Spee with demolition charges outside Montevideo on 17 December 1939.
Quisling meets Hitler & urges him to invade Norway
Jodl's operations staff develops military preparations for the planned invasion of Norway and Denmark.
Appointed Ambassador of Turkey
Witzleben holds senior army command during the early phase of the war
Appointed Commander of Army Group North for the invasion of Poland
Appointed Commander of Army Group North for the invasion of Poland
Chief of Staff to the Army Group South under General Gerd von Rundstedt
Quirnheim works on army organisation matters as Germany begins the war in Europe
Appointed Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote, Admiral
The Polish Bolsheviks kill 58,000 German Nationals in the Danzig corridor In the months leading up to the German invasion the Polish Army and independent Bolshevik units had been slaughtering German nationals in the Danzig corridor
Appointed Brigadier
Appointed Brigadier General
Bocks newly formed fast motorised tank Division captures Brest Litovsk
Poland is captured in 18 days. Much of the western zone of Poland is administered by the civilian Government-Central
Memel is captured, the chief port of Lithuania
September leads the eighth army into Posen
Poland is split between the Germans & the Russians along the River Bug
Commands the Army which captures Warsaw
Appointed Chief of Staff for Security by Himmler in Poland
Appointed Chief of Staff for Security by Himmler in Poland
Appointed Chief of Staff of the Luftflotte IV in Poland
Appointed Chief of Staff of the Luftflotte IV in Poland
Chief of Staff, IV Corps during the invasion of Poland. Appointed Chief of Staff of the Sixthteenth Army
Appointed Chief of Staff of the Sixteenth Army
Appointed Colonel
Appointed Commander of Army Group C to defend the Reich against France
Appointed Commander of Army Group C to defend the Reich against France
Appointed Commander of Army Group North for the invasion of Poland
Appointed Commander of Army Group North for the invasion of Poland
Appointed Commander of the Army Group South
Appointed Commander of the Army Group South
Appointed Commander of the 14th Army during the invasion of Poland
Appointed Commander of the 14th Army during the invasion of Poland
Appointed Commander of Hitler's HQ for the occupation of Prague
Appointed Commander of Hitler's personal HQ on the outbreak of war
Appointed Commander XIX Panzer Corps
Appointed Commander of the Totenkopfe of the Waffen SS
Appointed Commander of the Totenkopfe of the Waffen SS
Appointed Defence Commissioner for Defence District VI
The SD, the Gestapo, and the Criminal Police are unified under one office, the Reich Central Security Office RSHA, which is placed under Heydrichs control
Appointed Hitler's successor
Appointed second in succession to the head of State behind Hitler
Hitler agrees Speers request to centralize iron & stell distribution via the GBI
September leads the eighth army into Posen
Appointed Joint Chief of the Euthanasia Programme by Hitler
Creates a formation out of the 3rd & 10th Panzer & 2nd & Twentieth motorised Divisions
Develops German radar equipment used for aircraft detection.
Freya early-warning radar supports German air defence.
Appointed Gauleiter of Thuringia
The SD, the Gestapo, and the Criminal Police are unified under one office, the Reich Central Security Office RSHA, which is placed under Heydrichs control
The SD, the Gestapo, and the Criminal Police are unified under one office, the Reich Central Security Office RSHA, which is placed under Heydrichs control
Recieves the Czech Foreign Secretary Chvalkovsky & threatens the breakup of Czech. Sets up an independent Ruthenia rather than agree its annexation by Hungary
Leads the invasion of Czech
Commands Lufftflotte 1 which provides most of the air support
Chief of Staff to the Army Group South under General Gerd von Rundstedt
Involved in the Polish campaign
Chief of Staff of IV Corps during the invasion of Poland
Helps plan the Invasion of Poland. Brought out of retirement for the invasion of Poland
Invents the first jet aircraft, the He178
The Polish Bolsheviks kill 58,000 German Nationals in the Danzig corridor In the months leading up to the German invasion the Polish Army and independent Bolshevik units had been slaughtering German nationals in the Danzig corridor
Awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross for the invasion of Poland
Becomes a United States citizen after leaving Germany.
Negotiates the Russo-German Non Aggression Pact
Receives the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for work on sex hormones.
The SD, the Gestapo, and the Criminal Police are unified under one office, the Reich Central Security Office RSHA, which is placed under Heydrichs control
The SD, the Gestapo, and the Criminal Police are unified under one office, the Reich Central Security Office RSHA, which is placed under Heydrichs control
The Polish Corridor is incorporated into Germany
Appointed Commander of Hitler's HQ for the occupation of Prague
Teschen in Poland is incorporated into Germany
The SD, the Gestapo, and the Criminal Police are unified under one office, the Reich Central Security Office RSHA, which is placed under Heydrichs control
The SD, the Gestapo, and the Criminal Police are unified under one office, the Reich Central Security Office RSHA, which is placed under Heydrichs control
Uses electron microscopy to visualize virus particles beyond the resolving power of optical microscopes.
As a professional army officer Quirnheim serves within the Wehrmacht during the early phase of the war
Witzleben commands German forces in the west as the war begins
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