5 January 1939Visit to ParisWinston Leonard Spencer Churchill
Visits Leon Blum
Historical records for Great Britain in 1939, rendered directly from the World History Database and ordered by month, day and event.
Visits Leon Blum
Represents GC&CS at the January Paris meeting with Polish and French cryptologists.
Attends the January Paris meeting and assesses the allied position against military Enigma.
Visits Rome to prise Italy from the Axis, invited by Mussolini to pressurise France
In the Commons Churchill calls for a Ministry of Supply
Recognizes the Franco Government in Spain
Defends his opposition to appeasement to his constituents
Announces in the Commons Britain cannot honour Czech obligations
Says Britain has no obligation to Czech because it has ceased to exist as a state. Germany invades Prague despite the Munich Agreement
Germany invades Prague despite the Munich Agreement
Chamberlain warns that Britain will resist any attempt at German world domination.
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain gives a speech in Birmingham, stating that Britain will oppose any effort at world domination on the part of Germany.
Chamberlain declared that Germany's destruction of Czechoslovakia had undermined the assumptions behind the Munich policy.
Ends appeasement of Germany by commiting Britain to defend Poland. Embarks on policy which leads to British declaration of war against Germany
Embarks on policy which leads to British declaration of war against Germany
Cabinet decides to double the territorial force
Britain & France pledge to support Poland
Is expelled temporarily from the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Cabinet decides in the event of war with Germany an army will be sent to Europe
Tours the USA. Tours Canada
Britain & France pledge to support Romania. Britain & France pledge to support Greece
Birth of Dusty Springfield
The Soviet Union offers a Soviet-British-French alliance which would guarantee the integrity of Poland, the consulations are unproductive
The Soviet Union offers a Soviet-British-French alliance which would guarantee the integrity of Poland, the consulations are unproductive
Birth of Simon Napier-Bell
Warns Hitler Britain will support Poland in the event of an attack
Conscription is introduced
Conscription is introduced
Hitler denounces Germany's non-aggression pact with Poland. Hitler accuses Britain of "encirclement"
Conscription is created for 6 months service for men aged 20
Conscription is created for 6 months service for men aged 20
Campaigns with Eden for an immediate alliance with Russia & France
An alliance is signed with Poland providing for reciprocal guarantees
Campaigns with Eden for an immediate alliance with Russia & France
Leaves for Canada
Appeals for unity and invites Greenwood and Attlee to join a coalition government with him as Prime Minister
Leon Blum visits Churchill
Berths at Wolfes Cove 1 mile from Quebec
Addresses the Canadian Parliament & gives Royal Assent to Canadian Bills
Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain
Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain, Churchill urges acceptence
Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain
Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain, Churchill urges acceptence
Greeted by President Roosevelt & his wife. Crosses the Niagra Suspension Bridge into the United States
Publishes Coming Up for Air.
Graduates from Balliol College Oxford with a degree in philosophy politics and economics.
Birmingham's municipal airport opens at Elmdon shortly before the Second World War.
Churchill urges Britain to form a military alliance with Russia
Churchill urges Britain to form a military alliance with Russia
Reviews the final day of the Air Defence Research Committee.
Twenty radar stations can detect aircraft above ten thousand feet.
A Ministry of Supply is created, 1st advocated by Churhill in 1936
A Ministry of Supply is created, 1st advocated by Churhill in 1936
Learns at Pyry that Poland has reconstructed military Enigma and built working cryptanalytic machinery.
Receives a detailed explanation of the Polish solution to military Enigma at Pyry.
Warns the House of Commons of an imminent German attack on Poland
Calls an emergency Cabinet meeting on the Danzig crisis & threat to peace
Hands over a letter to Hitler from Chamberlain saying that Britain will defend Poland
Hands over a letter to Hitler from Chamberlain saying that Britain will defend Poland
Emergency legislation grants broad powers to direct industry, labour and economic resources.
Gives full authority of the law to the "defense regulations" issued by the Government
After Germany's pact with Russia Britain completes the Anglo-Polish Defence Alliance
Appointed Commander of the 3rd Division
Appointed Commander of the 3rd Division
Appointed Commander in Chief of the Middle East
Appointed Commander in Chief of the Middle East
Establishes his HQ in Cairo
Invited by Paul Reynaud to examine the defences of the Maginot Line
The Nazi-Soviet pact deepens Healey’s doubts about Communist policy and Soviet intentions.
Appointed Adjutant General of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Adjutant General of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Adjutant General of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Adjutant General of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Chief of Staff of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Chief of Staff of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Chief of Staff of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Chief of Staff of the British Expeditionary Force
Appointed Chief of Imperial General Staff
Appointed Chief of Imperial General Staff
Demands Hitler halt his Invasion of Poland
Full mobilization of the 3rd Division is ordered
Asks Churchill to join the Cabinet as First Lord of the Admiralty
Parliament passes the National Services (Armed Forces) Act
Makes a broadcast to the nation after the declaration of war
Chain Home forms part of Britain's wartime air defence system.
Declares war on Germany, at 11 AM
Present at Antibes when Britain declares war
Returns to government as Dominions Secretary at the outbreak of the Second World War
Uses wartime powers to organise emergency hospital provision.
Appointed First Sea Lord of the Admiralty & Member of Cabinet
Parliament passes the National Services (Armed Forces) Act
Launches a program to build "Anderson" shelters. Given responsibility for interning enemy aliens, evacuations & building shelters
The day after the UK declared war on Germany, Turing reports to Bletchley Park, the wartime station of GC&CS
1st day at the Admiralty
Appointed Home Secretary
The 1st units of the BEF embark for France under Lord Gort
The 1st units of the BEF embark for France under Lord Gort
Attends the first Anglo-French Supreme War Council meeting.
Meets Daladier at the first Anglo-French Supreme War Council.
Represents British defence coordination at the first meeting.
The Corageous is sunk with the loss of over 500 lives
U-29 torpedoed HMS Courageous southwest of Ireland on 17 September 1939; the aircraft carrier sank in about seventeen minutes.
Hitler triumphantly enters Danzig & offers concilliation with France & Britain
Proposes an invasion of Norway to intercept Germany's supply of iron-ore from Sweden
Hitler triumphantly enters Danzig & offers concilliation with France & Britain
Argues that Narvik is vital because Swedish iron ore reaches Germany through the port in winter.
Records British cabinet coordination around the Hove meeting.
Supports British diplomatic work at the Hove meeting.
Attends discussions on Italy and Allied strategy.
The Admiral Graf Spee sinks the steamship Clement
The Admiral Graf Spee sinks the steamship Clement
Clement became Admiral Graf Spee's first wartime merchant victim when the German raider sank her southeast of Pernambuco on 30 September 1939.
Rejoins GC&CS as head of the German Naval subsection, whose principal cipher challenge is Naval Enigma.
Joins Bletchley Park and begins work on the large-scale problem of German Army and Luftwaffe Enigma.
Takes 3rd Division to France with the British Expeditionary Force after the outbreak of war.
Churchill makes his 1st wartime broadcast, after the defeat of Poland
Hitler's offers of peace to France & Britain are rejected
Birth of Robert "Bobby" Charlton
Chamberlain dismisses Hitler's offer of peace
A U-47 penetrates the British anchorage & sinks the Royal Oak
The Royal Oak is sunk in Scapa Flow
Royal Oak lost 835 officers and men after U-47 penetrated Scapa Flow and torpedoed the battleship during the night.
Royal Oak's loss inside Scapa Flow exposed weaknesses in the anchorage defences and prompted rapid strengthening of the naval base.
1st air attack on British territory
A pact of mutual assistance is signed between Turkey, France & Britain
Enlists as a private in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment after returning from Australia following the outbreak of the Second World War.
Appointed Head of MI6
Visits the French Minister of Marine to discuss joint Anglo-French naval activity
Meets French leaders as the Allies debate bombing the Ruhr.
Considers naval risks of mining Norwegian waters to interrupt ore shipments through Narvik.
Receives responsibility for the Enigma decryption teams and works alongside Turing and Welchman.
Is readmitted to the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Harwood uses Doric Star's distress report to estimate the likely movements of the German raider.
From recent merchant losses, Harwood calculates that the raider could reach the River Plate focal area around 13 December.
Harwood orders Ajax, Achilles and Exeter to concentrate off the River Plate before his predicted arrival of the German raider.
Harwood's three cruisers conduct manoeuvres and rehearse the tactics intended for an encounter with a German pocket battleship.
A near miss from Graf Spee damages Achilles and briefly disrupts the cruiser's course during the morning battle.
After Exeter is forced out of the fight, Parry keeps Achilles engaged alongside Ajax against the German raider.
Parry's HMS Achilles opens fire with six-inch guns while operating with Ajax against Graf Spee.
Parry's cruiser helps shadow Graf Spee toward Montevideo after Harwood breaks off the close daylight engagement.
A heavy Graf Spee hit disables Ajax's X turret and jams Y turret, sharply reducing the flagship's available firepower.
Harwood presses the two light cruisers closer to bring their six-inch guns effectively into action against Graf Spee.
Ajax launches its Fairey Seafox aircraft to assist observation and spotting during the engagement.
Woodhouse's cruiser launches torpedoes during the close phase of the action, forcing Graf Spee to manoeuvre away.
Woodhouse brings HMS Ajax's six-inch guns into action as Harwood's flagship closes from a separate bearing.
Around 07:40 Harwood turns away, intending to shadow Graf Spee and renew the fight later under more favourable conditions.
Harwood separates Exeter from Ajax and Achilles so Graf Spee must divide its fire or leave one British group less engaged.
After communications are wrecked, Exeter uses improvised methods, including men relaying orders, to keep steering the damaged cruiser.
An 11-inch hit and splinters devastate Exeter's bridge, killing or wounding most personnel there and injuring Bell.
Bell's cruiser fires a starboard torpedo salvo at Graf Spee, but the German ship's manoeuvre causes the weapons to miss.
Bell's HMS Exeter opens fire with eight-inch guns soon after Graf Spee begins the engagement.
Harwood detaches Exeter to investigate smoke on the horizon before the contact is identified as Admiral Graf Spee.
With forward turrets disabled, flooding increasing and electrical systems failing, Bell withdraws Exeter from the main action.
Harwood keeps Ajax and Achilles in contact as the damaged German ship steams toward the River Plate estuary.
When Graf Spee turns toward the badly damaged Exeter, Harwood orders Ajax and Achilles to close and draw German fire away.
Harwood seeks additional warships while maintaining a naval watch outside the neutral port where Graf Spee has taken refuge.
HMS Cumberland reaches Harwood's force off Montevideo, strengthening the cruisers waiting for Graf Spee to leave port.
Continues Anglo-French strategic discussions during the Phoney War.
A major propaganda victory for the British during the Phony War, Churchills reputation is enhanced
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Commands the HMS Achilles during the Battle of the River Plate
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Ajax & Achilles shadow the Graf Spee into the neutral port of Montevideo
Trains 3rd Division to conduct controlled withdrawals as well as offensive and defensive operations.
Appointed Chairman of the 1922 Committee
Winner of the Oscar for Best Actor, "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" as Mr. Chips
Appointed Admiral of the Fleet
Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain. Visits Rome to prise Italy from the Axis, invited by Mussolini to pressurise France. Signs an agreement with Turkey. Signs an agreement with Poland
Appointed Ambassador of Russia
The Barber Institute opens its gallery and concert facilities at the university.
Publication of "Behold, This Dreamer"
Appointed Commander of the 2nd Corps of the British Expeditionary Force in France
Appointed Commander of the 2nd Corps of the British Expeditionary Force in France
Directs defensive actions which secure the escape of the BEF from Dunkirk
Joyces upper class tones earn him the name "Lord Haw Haw". Broadcasts German propoganda from theThird Reich
Completes a national radar network linked to Fighter Command reporting centres.
Appointed Chief of Staff, Naval
Appointed Chief of Naval Staff
Appointed Head of the Civil Service
Appointed Commander in Chief
Appointed Commander in Chief
Appointed Commander in Chief
Appointed Commander in Chief
Appointed Commander Bomber Group 5
Appointed Commander Bomber Group 5
Appointed Commander of the Northern Patrol
Appointed Commander of the 2nd Corps of the British Expeditionary Force in France
Appointed Commander of the 2nd Corps of the British Expeditionary Force in France
Appointed Chief of Staff, Naval
Appointed Chief of Staff of the Navy
Appointed First Sea Lord
Appointed First Sea Lord
Appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) British Troops in Egypt
Appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) British Troops in Egypt
Appears as Colley in the 1939 film version of Goodbye, Mr Chips, opposite Robert Donat
Publishes Government and the Governed, examining political ideas and their practical application.
Is assigned to the Bletchley Park section that becomes responsible for attacking German Naval Enigma.
A coal agreement is signed with Germany & a team of negotiators visits Britain
Commands the forces in Egypt
Commands the forces in Egypt
Appointed Major General, takes Division to France under Brooke as his corps Commander
Appointed Major General
Publishes the essay Marrakech.
Elizabeth II first meets Prince Philip
Marries Barbara Clark, who remains his wife throughout his scientific career.
Philip first meets Elizabeth II
Appointed Military Assistant to the Secretary of State for War
Appointed Military Assistant to the Secretary of State for War
Volunteers for military service but is rejected because of chronic asthma.
Appointed Minister for the Dominions
Appointed Minister of Food
Concentrates on the particularly difficult problem of German Naval Enigma and U-boat communications.
Directs defensive actions which secure the escape of the BEF from Dunkirk
Develops his political outlook while studying philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford.
Is promoted from private to lance corporal while serving in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
Publishes Casting-off, and Other Poems, continuing the poetic work begun before his academic appointment in Australia.
Publishes his scholarly edition of Herodotus Book VIII through Cambridge University Press.
Publishes The History of Herodotus shortly before returning from Australia after the outbreak of war.
Expelled from the Labour Party after he disaffiliates the Socialist League
Appointed Dominions Secretary
Appointed Secretary of State for Air
Hoyle became a Fellow of St John's College, Cambridge.
Hoyle began collaborating with Raymond Lyttleton on stellar evolution and the interaction between stars and interstellar matter.
Publishes Systems of Logic Based on Ordinals, developed from his Princeton doctoral research.
Publication of "The Holy Terror"
Condemns fascism, communism and other totalitarian systems as threats to democratic government.
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