Battle of Britain
London becomes the target for incessant bombing
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1940 in Germany — Page 11
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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September
Battle of Britain
Shifts the main Luftwaffe effort toward large-scale attacks on London.
Battle of Britain
The change reduces pressure on Fighter Command's sector stations.
Bombing of London
Fighter Command concentrates its dwindling force after Goerings change of strategy
Bombing of London
The Luftwaffe diverts forces from destroying the RAF to bombing London
Bombing of London
The Germans begin their 1st large scale bombing of London
Luftwaffe
The Luftwaffe diverts its forces from destroying the RAF to bombing London
Invasion of Russia
A memo is issued to increase the Army from 143 to 180 Divisions
Operation Barbarossa
A memo is issued to increase the Army from 143 to 180 Divisions
Invasion of Great Britain
Hitler postpones his order for invasion from 11th Sept to 14th Sept
Operation Sea Lion
The 11th Septmber deadline is passed & the invasion of England is cancelled. Postpones Operation Sea Lion by 3 days to the 24th September
Invasion of Great Britain
Raeder advises Hitler that there is not enough air cover for an invasion of Britain
Invasion of Great Britain
Raeder advises Hitler that there is not enough air cover for an invasion of Britain
Operation Sea Lion
Postpones Operation Sea Lion awaiting orders to be issued September 17. Postpones Operation Sea Lion
Operation Sea Lion
Says Germany does not enough air superiority over England to launch Sea Lion
Adlertag
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
Initial Luftwaffe estimates are that it will take four days to defeat the RAF Fighter Command in southern England
Battle of Britain
Bombing on London peaks. Believing the RAF is broken Goering bombs London, 1,300 sorties are flown. 56 German planes are downed compared with 26 British. 1,000 bombers & 700 fighters rage over the London
Battle of Britain
Bomber command destroys 200 barges in France & Low Country ports
Bombing of London
Believing the RAF is broken Goering bombs London, 1,300 sorties are flown
Luftwaffe
Initial Luftwaffe estimates are that it will take four days to defeat the RAF Fighter Command in southern England
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
Operation Sea Lion
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. Initial Luftwaffe estimates are that it will take four days to defeat the RAF Fighter Command in southern England. Believing the RAF is broken Goering bombs London, 1,300 sorties are flown
Operation Sea Lion
Suspends operation Sea Lion scheduled for 27 September
Battle of Britain
Failure to gain air superiority prevents the planned invasion of Britain.
Battle of Britain
Postpones Operation Sea Lion until further notice.
Operation Sea Lion
Operation Sea Lion is postponed indefinitley
Invasion of Great Britain
Hitler orders ships in ports to be disperesed to avoid further loss. Hitler orders further assembly of the invasion fleet to cease
Operation Sea Lion
Invasion fleets in the Channel & North Sea are dispersed to prevent damage by the RAF
Battle of Britain
More than 450 British fighters are destroyed & 103 pilots killed. Attacks are shifted to main inland RAF bases
Jud Suss
Directs Jud Suss, a notorious antisemitic Nazi propaganda film.
Pact between Germany, Italy and Japan
The Tripartite Pact is signed by Germany, Italy & Japan
Commander in Chief
Appointed Commander in Chief, West
Commander in Chief
Appointed Commander in Chief, West
Commander of Army Group D
Appointed Commander of Army Group D
Commander of Army Group D
Appointed Commander of Army Group D
Invasion of France
Army Group D is formed to occupy France
Invasion of Russia
Army Groups A, B & C are moved to the Eastern Front
Mobilization
Commands Army Group A & has tactical Command over Army Group D
Occupation
Army Group D occupies France after A, B & C are moved to the Eastern Front
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.