12 January 1940Barttle of NarvikWinston Leonard Spencer Churchill
Argues that control of Narvik is vital to disrupting German iron ore supplies.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1940, rendered directly from the World History Database and ordered by month, day and event.
Argues that control of Narvik is vital to disrupting German iron ore supplies.
The War Cabinet debates action against German iron ore supplies moving through Narvik.
Chatfield considers whether naval mining and a Narvik operation can be justified by Allied strategic needs.
Argues that German iron ore shipments through Narvik should be disrupted.
Churchill argues that mining Norwegian waters would disrupt German iron ore shipments through Narvik.
Ironside reviews the military implications of a possible Allied landing at Narvik to cut Germany's ore supply
Pound advises on the naval risks of mining Norwegian waters and operating near Narvik.
Halifax weighs diplomatic risks of violating Norwegian neutrality against the need to restrict German ore imports.
Examines military requirements for an Allied expedition toward Narvik.
War Cabinet reviews possible action against German iron ore moving through Narvik.
Presses naval plans to mine Norwegian waters and interrupt ore traffic.
Praises the Finns for "what fee men can do" in the defense of their country
The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe
The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe
The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe
The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe
The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe
The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe
The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe
The first operational break into Enigma when the team working under Dilly Knox, with the mathematicians John Jeffreys, Peter Twinn and Alan Turing, unravelled the German Army administrative key that became known at Bletchley Park as The Green, encouraged by this success, the codebreakers later crack the Red key used by the Luftwaffe
Meets Polish cryptanalysts in Paris and absorbs techniques that influence the British Bombe design.
Takes charge of Hut 6 as it develops industrial-scale attacks on Army and Luftwaffe Enigma.
Birth of David Jason, born David John White
Supports Allied plans to intervene in Norway and threaten the Narvik ore route.
Considers intervention in Scandinavia during the Winter War crisis.
The council considers intervention in Norway including a landing at Narvik
Attends the council as Allied leaders discuss control of Swedish iron ore routes.
Attends the council meeting considering aid to Finland against Soviet Russia.
Supports measures affecting Norway and Swedish iron ore traffic.
Supports Allied consideration of Norway and Swedish iron ore routes.
Supports naval action after German prisoners are found aboard Altmark.
Presses for mining Norwegian waters to force ore traffic away from Narvik.
Advocates mining Norwegian waters to force a German response.
Presses for mining Norwegian waters to disrupt the ore route from Narvik.
Orders the Cossack Captain to liberate Britsh prisoners from the Altmark off Norway. British prisoners are freed without loss of British life, the crew of the Altmark flee
Speaks at the Guildhall praising the warships opposing the Graf Spee
Works with Randall on the Birmingham cavity magnetron for centimetric radar.
Works with Randall on the resonant cavity magnetron at Birmingham.
Builds a high-power cavity magnetron at Birmingham for centimetric radar.
Works on the high-power cavity magnetron for centimetric radar.
Introduces the Navy estimates to Parliament for the 1st time since 1914
Introduces the Navy estimates to Parliament for the 1st time since 1914
Calls off mining Norwegian waters, might effect neutrals such as the USA & Sweden
Calls off mining Norwegian waters, might effect neutrals such as the USA & Sweden
Calls off mining Norwegian waters, might effect neutrals such as the USA & Sweden
Wins an Oscar for, "Gone With The Wind"
Calculates with Peierls that a compact uranium bomb may be practical.
Calculates that a uranium-235 bomb may be practical.
Co-authors the Birmingham memorandum estimating uranium-235 weapon feasibility.
Co-authors memorandum estimating uranium-235 bomb feasibility.
Publishes Inside the Whale and Other Essays.
Continues pushing plans for a northern operation linked to Narvik.
The War Cabinet continues planning for a possible Allied landing at Narvik.
Continues planning for possible Allied landings linked to Narvik.
Chamberlain's government pauses Narvik planning after Finland accepts peace with the Soviet Union.
Narvik plans pause after Finland accepts peace with the Soviet Union.
The first bombe is installed
Wins support of the war Cabinet & the Allied supreme war Council to mine Norway
Wins support of the war Cabinet & the Allied supreme war Council to mine Norway
Backs Supreme War Council approval of mining Norwegian waters and preparing Narvik occupation plans.
Supreme War Council approves mining Norwegian waters and preparing Narvik occupation plans.
Backs approval to mine Norwegian waters and prepare Narvik operations.
Approves Operation Wilfred and related Norwegian planning.
The council agrees to mine Norwegian waters and prepare Narvik occupation plans.
Publishes Boys' Weeklies on popular children's papers.
Publishes a major essay on Charles Dickens.
Leads British Tabulating Machine engineering work that turns Turing's Bombe design into operational hardware.
Breaks several German Naval Enigma messages from late 1938 using the Fort crib method.
Oversees naval preparations as Operation Wilfred begins before the German invasion.
His action warns the Royal Navy of German movement toward Norway.
Soldiers in the British Army land at Namsos in Norway
Churchill backs the Royal Navy mining operation intended to disrupt German access to Swedish iron ore.
Oversees the opening of mining operations off Norway.
Responds to the German landing at Narvik during Operation Weserubung.
The Germans invade Norway, British intervention is too late
Launches torpedoes at Admiral Hipper to protect Britsh troops
Responds to the German invasion of Norway and Denmark.
Receives reports of Warburton-Lee's destroyer attack in the first naval battle.
Commands HMS Havock during the destroyer attack.
Commands HMS Hotspur during the first naval battle.
Leads the British destroyer attack in the first naval battle.
Receives reports of Warburton-Lee's destroyer attack at Narvik.
The Royal Navy attacks German destroyers at Narvik during the first naval battle in Ofotfjord.
Courage commands HMS Havock during the British destroyer attack on German ships at Narvik.
Layman commands HMS Hotspur during the destroyer action and withdraws after heavy damage.
Warburton-Lee leads the British destroyer attack into Ofotfjord and is killed after HMS Hardy is hit.
Leads British destroyers in a surprise attack on German ships at Narvik.
Commands HMS Havock in the destroyer attack at Narvik.
Withdraws HMS Hotspur after heavy damage in the first naval battle.
Warburton-Lee leads the Royal Navy destroyer attack against German forces at Narvik after the invasion begins.
Welcomes the second naval attack that destroys the remaining German destroyers.
Commands HMS Warspite during the second naval attack.
Commands HMS Cossack during the attack on German destroyers.
Leads HMS Warspite and destroyers in the second naval battle.
Welcomes the destruction of German destroyers at Narvik.
British naval forces destroy or force the scuttling of the remaining German destroyers at Narvik.
Crutchley commands HMS Warspite as the battleship supports the second naval attack on Narvik.
Sherbrooke commands HMS Cossack during Whitworth's attack against the remaining German destroyers.
Whitworth leads HMS Warspite and destroyers into Ofotfjord to destroy the remaining German destroyers.
Commands HMS Cossack during Whitworth's attack on German destroyers.
Commands HMS Warspite during the second naval battle.
Whitworth leads HMS Warspite and destroyers in the second naval attack on the German Narvik force.
Leads HMS Warspite and destroyers into Ofotfjord.
Commands Allied naval forces supporting the Narvik campaign.
Carton de Wiart commands British forces landed at Namsos to threaten German-held Trondheim.
Commands naval and expeditionary forces assembling for operations near Narvik.
Allied troops begin landing in northern Norway to support operations against Narvik.
Supports the Allied landing at Harstad for operations against Narvik.
Leads 24th Guards Brigade in the Allied Narvik force.
Commands British land forces sent against Narvik.
Leads 24th Guards Brigade as Allied troops land near Narvik.
Supports the Allied expedition being assembled around Harstad.
Commands British land forces sent to invest Narvik.
Mackesy leads the British force sent to invest Narvik after German troops seize the port.
Fraser's 24th Guards Brigade forms part of Rupertforce during the Allied build-up around Narvik.
The Allied Expeditionary Force lands at Namsos
Paget commands Sickleforce after British troops land at Andalsnes to support Norwegian resistance.
The Allied Expeditionary Force lands at Andalsnes
Defends naval operations as the Norway campaign develops.
Presses for stronger action while Allied commanders delay a frontal assault.
Delays a frontal assault because of terrain and troop readiness.
Faces frustration over delays in the Allied attack on Narvik.
Resists an immediate frontal assault because of terrain and troop readiness.
Mackesy resists an immediate frontal assault on Narvik because of the risks to his troops.
General Mackesy is forced to call off the pincer assault on Trondheim
General Mackesy is forced to call off the pincer assault on Trondheim
Monitors Allied build-up as French and Polish troops join the Narvik campaign.
Appointed Chairman of the Miltary Co-ordinating Committee
Appointed Chairman of the Miltary Co-ordinating Committee
British Forces are withdrawn from Andalsnes
Paget evacuates British forces from Andalsnes after German pressure and air attacks make the position untenable.
British Forces are withdrawn from Namsos
Participates in the Commons debate that helps bring down Neville Chamberlain’s government.
Defends the Admiralty during parliamentary criticism of the Norway campaign.
Informs Chamberlain that the Commons favours Churchill as Chamberlains successor
Takes part in discussions as Chamberlain's government collapses.
Sends a letter to Chamberlain saying Labour will not serve under Chamberlain
Chamberlain prefers Halifax as PM but he cannot run the Government from the Lords
despite the objections of its commander Hugh Dowding that this left home defences under-strength, Churchill sent fighter squadrons to support operations in France,where the RAF suffered heavy losses
Becomes Prime Minister while the campaign around Narvik is still underway.
Leads 3rd Division into Belgium as the BEF moves forward after the German western offensive begins.
Despite the objections of its commander Hugh Dowding that this left home defences under-strength, Churchill sent fighter squadrons to support operations in France,where the RAF suffered heavy losses
Sent by Churchill to the Belgian King to "stiffen Belgiums resolve"
Becomes Prime Minister after Neville Chamberlain resigns.
Becomes Prime Minister and Minister of Defence as Germany attacks the west.
Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 1st term
Labour will not serve in a Government with Chamberlain in. Attlee informs Chamberlain saying Labour will serve in the Government without him
After the failure of appeasement & there is a need for strong Government
Appointed Minister of Defence
Appointed Member of Coalition War Cabinet
Forms a national coalition government to prosecute the war.
Appointed First Lord of the Admiralty, 2nd term
Commander of British forces during the Norwegian campaign
Given 11 Downing St as part of his appointment as Lord President
Appointed Minister of Aircraft
Appointed Minister of Labour & National Service
Appointed Minister of Supply
Joins Churchill’s wartime coalition as Minister without Portfolio and a member of the War Cabinet.
Appointed Secretary of State for Air
Appointed Member of War Cabinet
Appointed Member of War Cabinet
Creates a smaller War Cabinet for rapid wartime decision making.
Appointed Member of War Cabinet
Churchill appoints Eden Secretary of State for War in the new coalition government
Appointed President of the Board of Trade, 1st term
Attends an inter-allied conference in the Chateau at Casteau near Mons
Appointed Lord Chancellor
Appointed President of the Board of Trade, 1st term
Takes command of reorganised British land forces in northern Norway.
Oversees the campaign as Allied troops capture Elvegardsmoen and advance toward Narvik.
Tells Parliament he can offer only blood toil tears and sweat.
Takes command of reorganised British land forces in northern Norway.
Auchinleck takes command of reorganised British land forces in the Narvik area.
In the Commons says "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears & sweat"
Wins a unanimous vote of confidence from the Commons for the new administration
Appoints Beaverbrook to accelerate aircraft production.
Eden announces the formation of the Home Guard
Broadcasts the appeal for volunteers to form the Local Defence Volunteers
Foundation of the Local Defence Volunteers, later Home Guard
Calls for volunteers to form the LDV, within 24 hours 250,000 enrol
Appointed Minister for Economic Warfare
Appointed Minister for Shipping
Appointed Minister for Transport
Appointed Secretary of State for Scotland
Appointed Minister for Agriculture
Appointed Attorney General
Confronts the crisis created by the German breakthrough at Sedan.
Appointed Solicitor General
Debates sending more RAF fighter squadrons to France.
Attends a crisis meeting after the German breakthrough at Sedan.
Flies to Paris to discuss the collapsing French front.
Accompanies Churchill during the crisis meeting in Paris.
Accompanies Churchill and records strategic discussions.
Attends as air reinforcements for France are debated.
Orders urgent preparations against possible invasion of Britain.
Makes it known he would like communists & fascists detained but nothing comes of this
Receives an emergency commission as a second lieutenant on the General List after completing officer training.
Makes it known he would like communists & fascists detained but nothing comes of this
Operational control is delegated to Ramsay
Appointedmand the evacuation from Dunkirk, operates from Dover
Plans the final Allied attack while evacuation planning begins.
It is planned to evacuate 10,000 from Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer & Dunkirk every 24 hrs
Plans the final Allied attack while evacuation orders are kept secret.
Orders the Admiralty to round up shipping in order to evacuate the BEF
It is planned to evacuate 10,000 from Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer & Dunkirk every 24 hrs
Commands the evacuation from Dunkirk, operates from Dover. A conference considers "emergency evacuation across the Channel of very large forces"
Secures emergency powers to mobilise national resources for war.
Parliament grants Winston Churchill and his Government wide emergency powers
Attends another crisis meeting as German forces reach the Channel.
Returns to Paris as German forces approach the Channel.
His army's situation drives urgent Allied discussions.
Authorises Operation Alphabet to evacuate Allied forces from northern Norway.
Orders Calais to hold out to aid the Dunkirk evacuation.
Works on evacuation planning after the campaign in France worsens.
Prepares British land forces for withdrawal from the Narvik area.
Receives orders to prepare evacuation while the Allied attack on Narvik continues.
Churchill's government authorises the evacuation of Allied forces from Narvik.
Authorises evacuation of Allied forces from northern Norway as the battle in France worsens.
Works on the military implications of evacuating Allied forces from Narvik.
Authorises evacuation of Allied forces from northern Norway.
Puts evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from North West France into action
Receives orders to withdraw the BEF to Dunkirk
Authorises evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk.
Puts evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from North West France into action
Receives orders to withdraw the BEF to Dunkirk
Takes part in cabinet discussions connected with the council meeting.
Meets Reynaud as Dunkirk and possible Italian mediation are discussed.
Participates in British deliberations on France and Italy.
Discusses possible Italian mediation during the Dunkirk crisis.
Rejects seeking peace terms through Italian mediation.
Balances Narvik operations against the worsening Allied crisis in France.
The last of the 338,000 British, French and Belgian forces evacuated from Dunkirk. Evacuation from Dunkirk begins
Secrecy is lifted when submission for large numbers of private vessels are allowed
Allied command supports the successful recapture of the town.
Receives news of the Allied recapture of Narvik.
Receives news that Allied forces have recaptured Narvik from Dietl's troops.
Allied command supports the successful recapture of Narvik.
Auchinleck's Allied command supports the successful recapture of Narvik before the wider Allied evacuation.
Monitors the evacuation as large numbers of troops are rescued.
Announces in Cabinet, "of course, whatever happens at Dunkirk, we shall fight on"
Persuades ministers to continue fighting rather than seek terms.
Receives news of Narvik's recapture while evacuation plans remain in force.
Belgium's capitulation exposes Montgomery's division and other Allied troops to further German pressure and retreat.
After Belgium surrenders the 3rd Division is forced to retreat from Belgium
Appointed Commander of Second Corps & ordered to withdraw
Appointed Commander of Second Corps & ordered to withdraw
Works in Cabinet during the Dunkirk evacuation crisis
Agrees that the BEF should evacuate after deciding "no further proportionate damage could be inflicted on the enemy"
Takes temporary command of II Corps during the final stages of the withdrawal to Dunkirk.
Discusses Narvik and Dunkirk with French leaders at the Supreme War Council.
Discusses Narvik and Dunkirk with French leaders.
Decides to evacuate all 3 remaining Divisions of the BEF on 1st June
Gort returns to Britain & Alexander is put in charge of the 3 BEF Divisions at Dunkirk
The Commander of the BEF follows Cabinet orders & returns to Britain
Ignores orders from Gort & the French to stay. Decides to evacuate all 3 remaining Divisions of the BEF on 1st June
Gort returns to Britain & Alexander is put in charge of the 3 BEF Divisions at Dunkirk
The Commander of the BEF follows Cabinet orders & returns to Britain
Manages withdrawal arrangements while maintaining pressure on German forces.
Coordinates naval arrangements for removing Allied troops from Narvik.
Travels with Churchill for the Paris council meeting.
Attends the council as Allied strategy shifts during the Dunkirk evacuation.
Announces evacuation figures from Dunkirk during a Supreme War Council meeting.
Meets the Allied Supreme War Council and declares Britain will fight on.
Promises to fight on despite the worsening military position.
Attends as Allied leaders discuss evacuation from Norway and France.
Discusses Dunkirk and Norway with French leaders.
Discusses Narvik and Dunkirk with French leaders.
Accompanies Churchill during the Paris crisis meeting.
Assists Churchill at the council meeting as France nears collapse.
Warns against any separate French surrender during discussions.
Gort orders British forces toward the coast as the Allied position in Belgium deteriorates.
Appointed Commander of the British Exteditionary Force
Appointed Commander of the British Exteditionary Force
Uses 3rd Division in the defensive battle protecting routes toward the Dunkirk evacuation area.
Gort prioritises routes through Flanders needed for the BEF's withdrawal toward evacuation ports.
The BEF withdrawal from positions in Flanders helps concentrate British forces for evacuation from Dunkirk.
Appointed Secretary for War, May-December
Appointed Secretary for War, May-December
Conducts an organised withdrawal as Allied armies fall back from the Dyle position under German pressure.
Completes the withdrawal of Second Corps from La Panne & Dunkirk
Completes the withdrawal of II Corps as British forces evacuate from Dunkirk.
Clamps down on "the enemy within" & strongly supports the deportation of enemy aliens
Sets up raiding forces to keep German troops tied down in occupied countries
Oversees withdrawal of British land forces from northern Norway.
Directs evacuation of Allied forces from the Narvik area.
The Germans enter Dunkirk
Oversees withdrawal of British land forces during the evacuation.
Directs evacuation of Allied forces from the Narvik area.
Directs evacuation of Allied troops and equipment from the Narvik area.
Cunningham helps direct naval evacuation movements as Allied forces withdraw from northern Norway.
"We shall fight on the beaches...... we shall never surrender"
"We shall fight on the beaches...... we shall never surrender"
Warns Parliament that Britain will fight on whatever happens.
Continues evacuation arrangements after the temporary Allied victory at Narvik.
Continues evacuation arrangements for Allied forces in northern Norway.
Allied withdrawal from Narvik is completed as Norway becomes untenable.
Commands HMS Acasta and torpedoes Scharnhorst before being sunk.
Commands HMS Ardent during the defence of HMS Glorious.
Commands HMS Glorious when German battlecruisers sink the carrier.
Final day of the evacuation of the British forces from Norway
Commands destroyers escorting ships during the evacuation period.
DOyly-Hughes commands HMS Glorious when German battlecruisers sink the carrier during Operation Juno.
Allied evacuation from Narvik is completed despite the earlier victory.
British and Allied forces complete withdrawal from Narvik during Operation Alphabet.
Benito Mussolini declares war on the Allies
Italian dictator Benito Mussolini declares war. Immediately Wilson's forces invade Libya
Responds as Mussolini brings Italy into the war.
Meets French leaders as the French front collapses.
Meets de Gaulle & greets him with the words "Lhomme du destin"
Explains government arrangements for coordinating production and economic policy during the war.
Britain refuses to support a separate French peace and commits to continuing the war.
The collapse of the French military position forces the government toward an armistice decision.
Urges Reynaud's government to continue fighting.
Promises the Allies will restore France after the war. Forbids France making a separate peace with Germany
Informed of the imminent collapse of France. Flies to Tours where the French Government is now based
Paris falls to the Germans. Churchill realises that Britain will be the next target for Hitler after France
Faces the strategic shock of Paris falling to Germany.
Offers a political union to encourage France to remain in the war.
Rommel orders his Panzers to remove the British from Halfaya. 200 of the Western Desert Force tanks are destroyed
Wilson's advance is reversed when France sought an armistice and the Italians where able to move their forces from the Tunisian border in the West and reinforce with 4 divisions those that opposed Wilson in the East
Churchill uses his skilful rhetoric to harden public opinion against capitulation, and to prepare the British for a long war. In his "This was their finest hour" speech on 18 June 1940, he said "the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin"
Tells Parliament the Battle of Britain is about to begin.
Declares that the Battle of France is over and the Battle of Britain is about to begin.
Uses the Finest Hour speech to prepare Britain for the coming air campaign.
Persuades the Home Office to intern 27,000 enemy aliens
Persuades the Home Office to intern 27,000 enemy aliens
Prepares Britain to continue alone after France seeks an armistice.
1st British Commando raid on occupied France at Boulogne-sur-Mer, attackers failed to achieve any of their objectives
1st British Commando raid on occupied France at Boulogne-sur-Mer, attackers failed to achieve any of their objectives
All French ships in British ports are seized by the royal Navy
Recognizes Charles de Gaulle as the leader of the Free French
Supports de Gaulle and the Free French movement in London.
Recognizes Charles de Gaulle as the leader of the Free French
The 3rd Division is stationed to defend the coast around Brighton
Sets up a Divisional HQ near Steyning
The British, although besieged, had been spared from annihilation when Operation Dynamo evacuated 300,000 troops from Dunkirk
Produces a detailed cryptanalytic reference manual on Naval Enigma known at Bletchley Park as Profs Book.
Rebuilds 3rd Division after its return from France and restores training, equipment and organisation.
Meets Winston Churchill for the 1st time
The Royal Navy destroys most of the French Navy at Mers-el-Kebir. Engagement off the coast of French Algeria where a British Royal Navy task force attacked and destroyed much of the French fleet stationed there, in an attempt to avoid its falling into the hands of the German Navy
Churchill says the sinking of the French Navy shows how serious Britain is. Britain sinks the French fleet which refuses to surrender
Orders action against French naval forces to deny them to Germany.
Explains the attack on the French fleet to Parliament.
Instructs the Ministry of Information to campaign against rumors which help the enemy
Ark Royal sinks Dunkerqueat at Mers-el-Kebir
The British Admiral James Somerville of Force H, based in Gibraltar, is ordered to deliver an ultimatum to the French
Birth of Ringo Starr, Richard Starkey
Birth of Richard Starkey, later known as Ringo Starr.
Opening day of the Battle of Britain
Says, "there is a time to live & a time to die"
Oversees Britain's air defence as the Luftwaffe begins sustained attacks.
Commands Fighter Command as the official Battle of Britain period begins.
Directs Britain's integrated fighter defence through the Dowding System.
Encourages mobilisation of local defence volunteers against invasion.
Commando raid on the Channel island of Guernsey, failes to achieve its objective
Transfers to the Intelligence Corps and begins wartime service focused on military intelligence and analysis.
Churchill invites Hugh Dalton to establish the Special Operations Executive
Churchill invites Hugh Dalton to establish the Special Operations Executive
The US agrees to provide Britain with 50 ex-US Navy destroyers in return for access to British naval bases in the western hemisphere
Appointed Commander of the Home Forces
Appointed Commander of the Home Forces after the evacuation at Dunkirk
Begins preparations for an anticipated German invasion of Britain
Forms the Special Operations Executive, supports resistance in German occupied Europe
Approves creation of a body to support resistance in occupied Europe.
The Local Defence Volunteers are renamed the Home Guard, risen to 1,250,000
Renames the Local Defence Volunteers as the Home Guard
Addresses the Commons on mobilisation of national resources for the war effort.
Winston Churchill ordered that the French Navy (Marine Nationale) should either join forces with the British Royal Navy or be neutralised in some way, to prevent the ships from falling into German or Italian hands
Appointed Commander of 5th Corps, a promotion
Appointed Commander of 5th Corps, a promotion
Winston Churchill ordered that the French Navy (Marine Nationale) should either join forces with the British Royal Navy or be neutralised in some way, to prevent the ships from falling into German or Italian hands
Orders continued preparations against a possible German landing.
Speaks for the coalition on wartime economic policy and organisation.
"Never in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few"
Germany has lost 1,733 planes compared to British loses of 915
Directs national resistance as the Luftwaffe launches Eagle Day.
An offensive is discovered when the British use the enigma machine
Birth of Anthony Michael "Tony" Secunda
Coordinates Fighter Command during one of the battle's largest air actions.
Moves limited squadrons carefully between threatened sectors.
The largest air Battle of this period. 5 major actions are fought but the Germans lose 76 to Britains 34 aircraft
Churchill sends reinforcements to Wavell in Egypt to be used against the Italians
Continues attacking a German fighter despite severe burns and a burning Hurricane.
His actions later earn Fighter Command's only Victoria Cross of the war.
Hitler declares a blockade of the British Isles
The German declaration presents waters around the British Isles as subject to wartime maritime restriction.
Advocates concentrating fighters into larger formations against German raids.
Leads No. 242 Squadron during the Battle of Britain.
Praises Fighter Command pilots in his speech on the Few.
1st air raids take place on central London
Responds to German bombing raids on British cities and airfields.
Britain retaliates for attacks on London with a raid against Berlin.
The Berlin raid influences German decisions about subsequent bombing strategy.
Retaliation for the bombing of London. RAF bombers attack Berlin for the 1st time
The RAF makes its 1st bombing raid on Berlin
RAF bombers attack Berlin for the 1st time, retaliation for the bombing of London
Birth of Nik Turner
Dowding manages reserves as pressure on southern sector stations increases.
Fighter Command flies more than one thousand sorties during intense fighting.
Bales out badly wounded and later loses part of his left leg.
Is shot down during combat with German bombers east of Duxford.
Radar information helps Fighter Command conserve pilots and aircraft.
The "Dowding system", a set of reporting chains to move information from the various observation points to the pilots in their fighters, named after its chief architect
Uses radar warning to direct No. 11 Group fighters.
Combines radar, Observer Corps reports and command control for fighter interception.
Joins senior Hut 6 cryptanalysts protesting a proposed transfer of the Luftwaffe Red Enigma task.
Oversees engineering of the improved Bombe known as Agnus Dei, incorporating Welchman's diagonal board.
Introduces the diagonal board, sharply reducing false stops and making the Bombe far more effective.
Fighter Command filters radar reports into tracks for sector control rooms.
Continues communications duties during attacks on RAF Biggin Hill.
Her courage under bombing later brings the Military Medal.
Marks unexploded bombs while the station is under attack.
Remains at her post during bombing of RAF Biggin Hill.
Continues working during repeated attacks on RAF Biggin Hill.
Her service under fire later earns the Military Medal.
Welcomes the deal bringing American destroyers to Britain.
Possesses 8 of 50 destroyers from America agreed under the "Lend-Lease" scheme
Is wounded while flying with No. 242 Squadron during the London raids.
Returns safely despite facial injuries caused during combat.
The Luftwaffe begin to systematically bomb London, the blitz
The Luftwaffe begin to systematically bomb London, the blitz
Faces the start of sustained German bombing of London.
The Chancellor agrees with Churchill & air-raid damage is charged to the state
A bomb falls on the garden of Buckingham Palace
Rodolfo Graziani and the Italian Army make a rapid advance into Egypt
Leads fighters from Duxford during the major September battles.
Supports the use of large Big Wing formations against Luftwaffe bombers.
Oversees defence during the decisive daylight air battle.
Observes Fighter Command committing its available squadrons against the raids.
Visits No. 11 Group headquarters during the climactic daylight attacks.
Coordinates Fighter Command during the decisive September air battles.
The day's German losses undermine hopes of defeating Fighter Command.
Maintains invasion readiness while Germany threatens a cross-Channel landing.
Supports technological cooperation with the United States.
Plans to attack the Italians now he has superior forces. Mussolini calls off the invasion
Initiates the George Cross as the highest award for bravery for citizens
Authorises the failed Allied expedition against Dakar.
The George Cross is instituted King George VI, during the height of the Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage
The George Cross is instituted King George VI, during the height of the Blitz, designed by Percy Metcalfe
Accepts withdrawal from Dakar after Vichy resistance holds.
Churchill decides to abandon the attempt to capture the port of Dakar
Tells the country that invasion danger remains despite RAF success.
Buckingham Palace is hit by 6 bombs while George VI is in residence
The Italian forces invade Egypt in September 1940, and advance some 60 miles (97 km) to occupy Sidi Barrani
Directs British Middle East forces defending Egypt, the Nile Delta and the Suez Canal against Italian pressure from Libya.
The Italians invade Egypt
The Italian forces invade Egypt in September 1940, and advance some 60 miles (97 km) to occupy Sidi Barrani
Serves in the Royal Artillery during the Second World War.
Praises Fighter Command while radar remains vital to defence.
Brings radar knowledge and the cavity magnetron to America.
Carries British radar secrets to the United States.
Uses underground war rooms as the Blitz makes central London dangerous.
Churchill appoints Ernest Bevin as Minister of Labour
Former Leader of the London County Council, useful during the blitz
Appointed Home Secretary
Birth of John Lennon in Liverpool
Birth of John Lennon during wartime Liverpool.
Adolf Hitler postpones Operation Sea Lion
Serves as a temporary captain and General Staff Officer Grade Three in an intelligence role with an armoured formation.
Advances to wartime lieutenant while serving in military intelligence.
Britain and France agree not to sign a separate peace with Germany
Promises support after Italy attacks Greece.
Commands Fighter Command through the official final day of the Battle of Britain.
The Luftwaffe has failed to gain the air superiority required for invasion.
Continues invasion precautions as the immediate German landing threat declines.
Takes command of V Corps and continues intensive preparations against a possible invasion.
Focuses on convoy protection as U-boat losses increase.
Captures Gallabat from the Italians
The Italians recapture Gallabat
Death of Neville Chamberlain, age 71
London is bombed by 170 aircraft
The British recapture Gallabat from the Italians
The British Mediterranean Fleet attacks the Italian base
Welcomes the Fleet Air Arm attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto.
British bombers conduct a night raid on Berlin
British bombers bomb the Italian naval base of Taranto
449 German planes bomb Coventry, killing 380 people and injuring 865
Responds to the severe German bombing of Coventry.
The Royal Air Force bomb Hamburg
British bombers conduct a raid on the Gelsenkirchen oil plant
150 German aitcraft bomb Southampton
Airborne radar is successfully used by the Royal Air Force.
A major German air raid causes extensive deaths and destruction across Birmingham.
Reviews British commitments in Egypt Greece and the Mediterranean.
German bombing causes severe damage across Bristol.
Tours the ruins of Coventry for 5 hrs
Air Chief Marshal Charles Portal removes Dowding from his post and replaces him with Sholto Douglas
Reviews air defence shipping losses and imperial commitments.
Wilson launches Operation Compass, the strategy is outstandingly successful and very quickly the Italian forces are cut in half
Wilson launches Operation Compass, the strategy is outstandingly successful and very quickly the Italian forces are cut in half
The Italians are driven out of Egypt in the 1st major british offensive of the War
Opens a counter-offensive threatening Tripoli, the fascist capital in north Africa
Authorises offensive action against Italian forces in Egypt.
Launches Operation Compass against Italian positions in Egypt, helping remove the immediate Axis threat to the Suez Canal.
Opens a counter-offensive threatening Tripoli, captital of fascist north Africa
Receives news of early British success against Italian forces.
Presses Roosevelt for greater American material aid.
Appeals for American help as Britain's financial resources are strained.
Returns to the Foreign Office as Churchill's Foreign Secretary
Responds to the bombing of Manchester during the winter Blitz.
Addresses the Empire during the first wartime Christmas of his premiership.
Responds after heavy bombing and fires across the City of London.
Visits the ruins of Guildhall with his wife
Visits the ruins of Guildhall with his wife. Germany bombs Londo with 1,000 bombers
Churchill says Mussolini is "the one man" who brought Italy into the war
Supports continued expansion of aircraft output after the Battle of Britain.
Makes a broadcast on BBC TV outlining plans for fire-fighting in London
Reviews a year in which Britain survived invasion threats and fought on.
In 5 months 22,000 are killed
Wilson oversaw the first stages of the campaign during which the British Army secured its first field victories of the war and advanced to the border with Libya
Appointed Chairman of the 1922 Committee
Hoyle and Lyttleton developed an influential model for gravitational accretion of interstellar material by moving stars.
Appointed Commander in Chief during the Norwegian campaign
Appointed Commander in Chief during the Norwegian campaign
Appointed Ambassador of Spain
Publication of "Another Time"
Healey joins the British Army after completing his Oxford degree.
Develops Banburismus, a statistical method that reduces the number of Naval Enigma rotor settings requiring Bombe tests.
Naval construction is top followed by production of fighters for the Battle of Britain
The "Dowding system", a set of reporting chains to move information from the various observation points to the pilots in their fighters, named after its chief architect. Credited with winning the battle and made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Stays in London during the Battle of Britain & the Blitz
Appointed Commander of 12 Group during the Battle of Britain
Appointed Commander of 12 Group during the Battle of Britain
Leigh-Mallory is critical of the tactics of Park and Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, believing that not enough was being done to allow wing-sized formations to operate successfully. Forms the "Big Wing" formations to attack German bombers. Devises with Acting Squadron Leader Douglas Bader a massed fighter formation known as the Big Wing, which they used, with little success, to hunt German bomber formations
This record states: After the Battle of Britain, Air Chief Marshal Charles Portal, the new Chief of the Air Staff, who had agreed with Leigh-Mallory, removed both Park and Dowding from their posts.
When the Allied resistance collapsed, works closely with Air Vice Marshal Keith Park, the commander of 11 Fighter Group, in organizing cover for the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk
Dowding, nicknamed "Stuffy" by his men, is unwilling to sacrifice aircraft and pilots in the attempt to aid Allied troops during the Battle of France
Leigh-Mallory takes over from Park as Commander of 11 Group
This record states: Devises with Acting Squadron Leader Douglas Bader a massed fighter formation known as the Big Wing, which they used, with little success, to hunt German bomber formations.
This record states: Leigh-Mallory is critical of the tactics of Park and Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, believing that not enough was being done to allow wing-sized formations to operate successfully.
Develops the central logical design used by the British Bombe to search efficiently for possible Enigma settings.
The King & Queen remain resident in London, Buckingham Palace is bombed twice
Decides upon area rather than precision bombing to wreck German production
In 5 months 22,000 are killed. Opens up the tube stations to the public despite opposition from local officials. Churchill statys in London during the bombing of London
The King & Queen remain resident in London, Buckingham Palace is bombed twice
Healey enters wartime service instead of pursuing an academic career at Oxford.
When the Allied resistance collapsed, works closely with Air Vice Marshal Keith Park, the commander of 11 Fighter Group, in organizing cover for the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk
Under the pen-name "Cato" he and two other Beaverbrook journalists (Frank Owen, editor of the Standard, and Peter Howard of the Daily Express) publish Guilty Men, a Left Book Club book attacking the appeasement policy of the Chamberlain Government
Uses the pen-name Cato while co-writing Guilty Men against appeasement.
Appointed Chief of Bomber Command
Appointed Chief of Bomber Command
Remains outside the wartime coalition government.
Appointed Commander in Chief, British forces remaining in France after Dunkirk
Appointed Commander in Chief, Far East
Appointed Commander in Chief, British in France after Dunkirk
Appointed Commander in Chief
Appointed Commander in Chief
Appointed Commander of Bomber Command
Appointed Commander of Bomber Command
Appointed Commander of the Home Defence forces
Appointed Commander of the Home Defence forces
Healey leaves the Communist Party after becoming disillusioned with Soviet policy and the consequences of the Nazi-Soviet pact.
Healey leaves the Communist Party after becoming disillusioned with Soviet conduct and Communist doctrine.
Wants Halifax to sit in the Commons as PM with his peerage in temporary abeyance
Death of William Lashly
Helps establish a democratic socialist group that soon displaces the former Oxford Labour Club.
Appointed Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
Appointed Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
Dismissed by Chamberlain
Healey completes his Oxford degree with a double first in classical studies.
Given responsibility for directing economic policy
Healey achieves a double first for his degree, awarded in 1940.
Continues wartime coordination of hospitals and casualty services.
Maintains the emergency medical system during wartime pressure.
Works in Hut 6 on German Army and Luftwaffe Enigma before later transferring to Naval Enigma.
Joins Hut 6 and applies advanced mathematics to German Army and Luftwaffe Enigma.
Arrives at Bletchley Park and is assigned to Turing's Hut 8 team working on Naval Enigma.
Becomes skilled in Banburismus, reducing the Bombe processing required for Naval Enigma.
Joins Dilly Knox's team and learns techniques for attacking Enigma variants used by Axis forces.
Works in Hut 6 on German Army and Luftwaffe Enigma and helps organise the growing cryptanalytic operation.
Works with Dilly Knox's section on Enigma variants used by German intelligence and other Axis organisations.
Leads Hut 6 as regular Luftwaffe Enigma reading begins to provide operational intelligence.
Publication of "Failure of a Mission"
Appointed Field Marshal
Appointed Field Marshal
Once appointed soon introduces wing-sized fighter sweeps into France, known as "rodeos". Leigh-Mallory takes over from Park as Commander of 11 Group
Founds the National Fire Service
Appointed Flag Officer Submarines
Appointed Flag Officer Submarines
Opposes food rationing, encourages the Ministry of Food to increase imports
Appointed Foreign Minister, 3rd term
Appointed General
Appointed General
Appointed Governor of the Bahamas, 1940-45
Publishes a bestselling attack on appeasement under the shared pseudonym Cato.
Co-writes Guilty Men with Michael Foot and Frank Owen.
Co-writes Guilty Men with Michael Foot and Peter Howard.
Appointed Governor of the Bahamas, 1940-45
Serves in the Home Guard during the war.
Heads Hut 8 during the early development of systematic methods for breaking German Naval Enigma.
Appointed Inspector General
Appointed Inspector General
Credited with winning the battle and made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Appointed Leader of the House of Commons
Appointed Lord Chancellor
Appointed Lord President
Appointed Lord President of the Council
Appointed Lord Privy Seal
Hitler rounds the Maginot line forcing evacuation of 340,000 between 27 May-4 June
Posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross
Healey wins a Harmsworth Senior Scholarship at Merton before wartime service changes his path.
Appointed Minister of Aircraft Production
Appointed Minister of Information
Appointed Minister of Supply, 1st term
Appointed Minister of War
Begins the re-formation of the 3rd Division after Dunkirk
Hitler rounds the Maginot line forcing evacuation of 340,000 between 27 May-4 June
Leaves the Communist-dominated Oxford Labour Club with Tony Crosland and other democratic socialists.
Created Viscount Simon
Appointed Postmaster General
Appointed President of the British Meteorological Society
Prominent role in the Parliamentary debate leading to Chamberlains resignation
Healey serves first as a gunner in the Royal Artillery before commissioning.
Submits a plan to Ritchie & Auchinleck to raid airfields behind the Afika Korps
Submits a plan to Ritchie & Auchinleck to raid airfields behind the Afika Korps
Appointed Secretary to the War Cabinet
Appointed Dominions Secretary, 1st term
Appointed Secretary of State for India & Burma
Criticizes Churchill for "interfering with everybodys department"
Castle Bromwich begins large-scale production of Supermarine Spitfire aircraft.
Directs, "The Great Dictator"
Publication of "The New World Order"
Publication of "The Power & the Glory"
Trafalgar remains a symbol of resistance during invasion fears.
Criticises wartime government failures from the Labour left.
Begins wartime work producing political propaganda directed toward Germany and occupied Europe.
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