Capture of Channel Islands
Germany captures the Channel Islands
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1940 in Germany — Page 8
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.
575Unique records
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19Named events on this page
12Named people on this page
7Places on this page
June
France Campaign Operational Reporting
Jodl briefs and coordinates operational information during the final stages of the campaign in France.
Invasion of Switzerland
After the Second Armistice at Compiegne in June 1940, the Reich Interior Ministry produced a memorandum on the annexation of a strip of eastern France from the mouth of the Somme to Lake Geneva, which was to be reserved for post-war German colonization.
Peace
After France's surrender peace negotiations take place in a railway carriage
Result of Surrender of France
France enters armistice negotiations with Germany at Compiègne.
Surrender of France
The same railway carriage used to sign the Armistice in 1918. After France's surrender peace negotiations take place in a railway carriage
July
Invasion of Great Britain
Says preparations for invasion should begin immediately. Issues a directive saying a landing in England is possible
Ambassador
Appointed Ambassador of France with the collaborationist regime at Vichy
Ambassador
Appointed Ambassador of France with the collaborationist regime at Vichy
Battle of Britain
British convoys in the Channel from Dover to Plymouth are harried. 1st phase to 18th Aug. 1st day of the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
Directs Luftflotte 2 operations against southern Britain.
Battle of Britain
Supports attacks on Channel shipping during the opening phase.
Battle of Britain
Commands Luftflotte 3 during attacks on Britain.
Battle of Britain
Coordinates bomber and fighter operations from bases in occupied France.
Invasion of Great Britain
Raeder advises British invasion as a last resort to force Britain to sue for peace
Operation Sea Lion
Military chiefs meet to discuss the invasion of Britain but Raeder advises against
General
Appointed Generaloberst
General
Appointed Generaloberst
Battle of Britain
Hopes that news of the preparations would frighten Britain into peace negotiations, issues "Directive No. 16; On the Preparation of a Landing Operation against England"
Battle of Britain
Issues Directive No. 16 ordering preparations for Operation Sea Lion.
Battle of Britain
Makes air superiority over Britain a prerequisite for the planned invasion.
Directive No. 16
Issues "Directive No. 16; On the Preparation of a Landing Operation against England"
Invasion of Great Britain
Hopes news of the preparations of invasion will frighten Britain into peace negotiations
Invasion of Great Britain
Issues "Directive No. 16; On the Preparation of a Landing Operation against England"
Invasion of Great Britain
Issues instructions to prepare for an invasion of Britain
Operation Sea Lion
Says invasion should commence by mid August but the services revise this to 15th Sept
Field Marshal
Appointed Field Marshal
Field Marshal
Appointed Field Marshal
Field Marshal
Appointed Field Marshal, Hitler creates 12 general Field Marshals
Field Marshal
Appointed General Field Marshal
Fuhrer Chancellor
Hitler creates 12 general Field Marshals
Peace
Hitler makes his last plea in a speech in the Reichstsag for Britain to make peace
Promotion
Witzleben is promoted to Field Marshal after the victory over France
Promotion to General der Artillerie
Jodl is promoted from Generalmajor directly to General der Artillerie.
Operation Sea Lion
Sets the latest date for "Sea Lion" as 15th September 1941
Operation Sea Lion
Plans to land 90,000 men in the 1st 6 days of the invasion of Britain
Barbarossa Preliminary Planning Ordered
Jodl instructs Warlimont to begin planning for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.
Operation Sea Lion
Sets 20-26 September as the earliest date on which the Navy can be ready
Alliance Adolf Hitler and Spain and the capture of Gibraltar
Begins planning an alliance with Spain & the capture of Gibraltar
Alliance Agreement with Spain & the capture of Gibraltar
Begins planning an alliance with Spain & the capture of Gibraltar
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.