Battle of Britain
Luftflotte 2 attacks targets across south-east England.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1940 in Germany — Page 10
Explore 575 historical events and records for Germany in 1940.
Historical records for Germany in 1940
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 575 unique records.
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August
Luftwaffe
A series of Luftwaffe attacks beginning on 13 August 1940 known as Operation Eagle Attack (Unternehmen Adlerangriff) set to begin on Adlertag ("Eagle Day")
Operation Adler
A series of Luftwaffe attacks beginning on 13 August 1940 known as Operation Eagle Attack (Unternehmen Adlerangriff) set to begin on Adlertag ("Eagle Day")
Operation Eagle Attack
The Operation begins on Adlertag ("Eagle Day") by German forces, elimination of British air cover had been set as one of the prerequisites for Sea Lion - the amphibious assault of Britain
Battle of Britain
The largest air Battle of this period. Adlertag, eagle day, opening of the decisive phase of the battle. 5 major actions are fought but the Germans lose 76 to Britains 34 aircraft. 1st large air Battle takes place in north England. 1,786 sorties are flown
Battle of Britain
About 100 bombers escorted by 40 Me 110s are launched against Tyneside
Battle of Britain
German air fleets attack widely separated targets across the country.
Battle of Britain
Launches one of the Luftwaffe's largest daylight efforts against Britain.
Battle of Britain
Adlertag, eagle day, opening of the decisive phase of the battle. 1,786 sorties are flown
Blockade of Britain
Germany begins its blockade of Britain
Britain Maritime Blockade Declared
Germany announces measures intended to isolate Britain and threaten shipping serving the British war economy.
Invasion of Russia
Sets Spring 1941 for an invasion of Russia which should last no longer than 5 months
Operation Barbarossa
Sets Spring 1941 for an invasion of Russia which should last no longer than 5 months
Battle of Britain
Commits large Luftwaffe forces during the day later called the Hardest Day.
Battle of Britain
Heavy losses reduce subsequent use of Ju 87 dive bombers in the battle.
Operation Sea Lion
Kesselring is ordered to concentrate his forces in the Pas de Calais
Battle of Britain
The 3rd phase of the battle begins. Resumes after bad weather. Airfields & commuincations are damaged as German numerical superiority takes effect
Battle of Britain
Berlin is bombed by the RAF in retaliation for the bombing of London
Battle of Britain
Concentrates on airfields in the south east but bombs are dropped in error on London. 2nd phase to 27th Sept, a route to London is to be opened up by destroying the RAF
Battle of Britain
Bombs also fall on London during the continuing air offensive.
Battle of Britain
Luftwaffe operations intensify against Fighter Command targets around London.
Bombing of London
Concentrates on airfields in the south east but bombs are dropped in error on London
Invasion of Poland
2 panzer & 10 infantry divisions move into Poland to secure Romanian oil fields
Invasion of Romania
2 panzer & 10 infantry divisions move into Poland to secure Romanian oil fields
Autumn Journey
Orders are given to carry deception maneuvers along Britains east coast
Invasion of Great Britain
Given command of operations to invade England, subject to victory in the air
Operation Sea Lion
Says victory is dependent on vicory in the Air. Issues a directive for Naval & Army operations for the invasion of England
Operation Sea Lion
Given command of operations to invade England, subject to victory in the air
Battle of St Quentin
Prevents the French 5th Army from capturing St Quentin
Operation Sea Lion
At the request of the Services the invasion of England is postponed to 21st September
Adlertag
Goring had promised Hitler that Adlertag and Adlerangriff would achieve the results required within days, or at worst weeks. It had meant to be the beginning of the end of RAF Fighter Command, but Adlertag and the following operations failed to destroy the RAF, or gain the necessary local air superiority. As a result, Operation Sea Lion was postponed indefinitely
Battle of Britain
The Kanalkampf comprises a series of running fights over convoys in the English Channel launched partly because Kesselring and Sperrle were not sure about what else to do, and partly because it gives German aircrews some training and a chance to probe the British defences
Kanalkampf
The Kanalkampf comprises a series of running fights over convoys in the English Channel launched partly because Kesselring and Sperrle were not sure about what else to do, and partly because it gives German aircrews some training and a chance to probe the British defences
Operation Adler
Goring had promised Hitler that Adlertag and Adlerangriff would achieve the results required within days, or at worst weeks. It had meant to be the beginning of the end of RAF Fighter Command, but Adlertag and the following operations failed to destroy the RAF, or gain the necessary local air superiority. As a result, Operation Sea Lion was postponed indefinitely
September
Invasion of Great Britain
The OKW issues a command saying the earliest date for sailing will be Twentieth Sept. Issues a directive with the decision to invade England be taken by 11th September
Operation Sea Lion
Issues a directive with the decision to invade England be taken by 11th September
Battle of Britain
The Germans have lost 308 aircraft to the British 273. End of the 3rd phase of the Battle of Britain
Bombing of London
London is bombed, marking the beginning of the London blitz
Operation Sea Lion
Goering arrives at Kesselrings HQ to take command of Operation Sea Lion
Battle of Britain
The Luftwaffe diverts its forces from destroying the RAF to bombing London
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.