13 January 1943Conference of CasablancaWinston Leonard Spencer Churchill
The Combined Chiefs of Staff use diplomacy to persuade Turkey to join the Allies. Arrives to discuss the blueprint for military victory with President Roosevelt
Historical records for Great Britain in 1943, rendered directly from the World History Database and ordered by month, day and event.
The Combined Chiefs of Staff use diplomacy to persuade Turkey to join the Allies. Arrives to discuss the blueprint for military victory with President Roosevelt
Churchill and Roosevelt discuss next phase of war, a decision is made to attack Sicily and Italy in bid to divert German military resources and make good pledge to Stalin for a second front in Europe
Rommel tries to halt the Eighth 200 miles east of Tripoli but retreats to Tripoli
Britain captures Tripoli
The Eighth Army marches into Tripoli & all of North Africa comes into Allied hands
Enters Tripoli after the Axis retreat from Egypt, removing the immediate landward threat to the Suez Canal.
Eighth Army enters Tripoli after the long pursuit from El Alamein across Libya.
Agrees to end the war unconditionally, Germany will be defeated then Japan
The Casablanca Conference agrees Sicily will be invaded in July & in August
Visits Turkey to get it to join the Allies, Turkey refuses because it distrusts Russia
Uses manoeuvre and pressure to force Axis troops from the Buerat position during the advance on Tripoli.
Orders for the invasion of Sicily are given, operation "Huskey"
A planning staff known as Force 141 is established to plan the invasion of Sicily
Orders for the invasion of Sicily are given, operation "Huskey"
Made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Presses ministers to act more boldly on Beveridge.
Presses for more ambitious social and health reform.
Defends government caution over immediate Beveridge implementation.
Is appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for gallant and distinguished military service in the Middle East.
Priority is switched to bombing U-boat bases
Birth of George Harrison, in Speke
Birth of George Harrison in Liverpool.
Becomes head of the ISK section responsible for cryptanalysis of German Abwehr Enigma.
Bombs Essen with 442 bombers, 14 fail to return
Eighth Army defeats Rommel's attack at Medenine and retains the initiative in southern Tunisia.
Launches attacks against the Mareth Line while preparing an outflanking move through the Tebaga Gap.
Makes a public broadcast outlining plans for a post-war Britain
Shifts strength toward the Tebaga Gap to turn the Axis flank and force abandonment of the Mareth Line.
The Eighth Army breaks through the Mareth Line & takes 7,000 German & Italian prisoners
Defeats Rommel in the Wadu Akarit in Tunisia
The bombing of U-boat bases is removed from the priority list
Eighth Army breaks the Wadi Akarit position and continues north toward the remaining Axis bridgehead.
The British & US forces join up in North Africa
Montgomery's advancing army links with Allied formations approaching from western Tunisia.
Eighth Army links with Allied forces advancing from the west as the Tunisian campaign closes on the Axis.
Birth of Alan James Beith
Withdraws from the battle in Tunisia to make detailed plans for the invasion of Sicily
Withdraws from the battle in Tunisia to make detailed plans for the invasion of Sicily
Attends a conference to discuss the invasion of Sicily
Attends a conference to discuss the invasion of Sicily
Takes part in Allied planning for the invasion of Sicily and argues for a concentrated landing plan.
Birth of Michael Edward Palin
Tunis is captured & entered by the British First Army
Alan Brooke represents British military planning interests during the Trident Conference
Churchill attends the Third Washington Conference, code named Trident, to discuss Allied strategy with Roosevelt
The Allies agree to the completion of "Roundup" by 1st May 1944
The Allies agree to invade Sicily to knock Italy out of the War
The Allies agree at Trident to proceed with the invasion of Sicily as part of the Mediterranean strategy
The Allies agree to the completion of "Roundup" by 1st May 1944
The Allies agree to develop the atomic bomb, operation "Tube Alloys"
The Dambusters breach the Eder dam by "bouncing bombs"
The Dambusters breach the Mohne dam by "bouncing bombs"
Leads 19 Lancasters from 617 Squadron & breaches the Mohne & Eder dams. Gibson is later awarded the VC
The Dambusters breach the Sorpe dam by "bouncing bombs"
Withdraws Eighth Army from the closing Tunisian operations to prepare for the Sicily invasion.
The Eighth Army is released from Tunisia to train for the invasion of Sicily
Addresses Congress regarding the Allied war aims
Duesseldorf is bombed
Churchill & Roosevelt meet in Washington where they agree a cross-Channel invasion (Operation Overlord) to be provisionally be launched on 1 May 1944
Churchill & Roosevelt meet in Washington where they agree a cross-Channel invasion (Operation Overlord) to be provisionally be launched on 1 May 1944
Plans British strategy after the North African victory secures the Suez Canal and frees forces for Mediterranean operations.
Commands Middle East forces after the North African campaign has secured Egypt and the Suez Canal.
Death of Leslie Howard
The German radio intercept station is bombed & "wiped off the map"
The RAF bombs a German Air Force base about to bomb the Overlord Channel fleet
Kiel is bombed by day with the loss of 17 bombers
Japanese troops cross into India
Arrives in Malta to find the Eighth Army preparing for the invasion of Sicily
Arrives in Malta to find the Eighth Army preparing for the invasion of Sicily
Pachino Airfield is captured in preparation for the invasion of Sicily
Planes from Tunisia capture Ponte Grande in preparation for the invasion of Sicily
Pachino Airfield is captured in preparation for the invasion of Sicily
Planes fly from Tunisia & capture Ponte Grande for the invasion of Sicily
Syracuse is captured by the Eighth Army during the Allied invasion of Siciliy
Allied forces land on the Italian mainland at Salerno, almost 400 landing craft and supply ships involved in landings
Allies land on Sicily (Operation Husky): almost 3,000 landing craft, and supply ships involved in landings
Lands ashore at the head of the Eighth Army
Commands the naval operations during the 1st day of the Allied landings on Siciliy
Allies land on Sicily (Operation Husky): almost 3,000 landing craft, and supply ships involved in landings
Commands Eighth Army as its formations land in south-eastern Sicily during Operation Husky.
Transfers Tactical HQ from Malta to the front at Sicily
Proposes an Allied Conference. Convinced Italy must be invaded & Rome captured. Concerned the US will turn its attention toward the Pacific at the expense of Europe
Proposes an Allied Conference
Bomber Command uses Window during attacks on Hamburg.
Supports use of chaff to confuse German radar.
Birth of Michael Philip Jagger
Birth of Mick Jagger, later lead singer of the Rolling Stones.
Appointed Lieutenant, 1st, on board the Wallace
Appointed Lieutenant, 1st, on board the Wallace
Redirects Eighth Army's main effort toward the east coast and Messina after heavy resistance inland.
Assures the Chinese & Dutch at the Pacific War Council Britain will open the Burma Rd
Leaves Britain on board the Queen Mary bound for Halifax, Canada
The invasion of Italy is brought forward to the 1st Sept
It is decided that the Eighth Army will invade Italy across the Straits of Messina. Baytown is approved, the Eighth Army will invade Italy across the Straits of Messina
The Eighth Army arrives at Messina 2 hrs after Patton
The Allies occupy all of Siciliy
Sicily is in Allied hands after a campaign lasting 38 days & costing 31,000 casualties
Baytown is approved, the Eighth Army will invade Italy across the Straits of Messina
The Eighth Army arrives at Messina 2 hrs after Patton
Churchill & Roosevelt meet in Quebec, Canada to further discuss Overlord timetable, planning
Eighth Army reaches Messina as organised Axis resistance in Sicily ends.
Churchill & Roosevelt meet in Quebec, Canada to further discuss Overlord timetable, planning
Roosevelt and Winston Churchill sign Quebec Agreement & a team of British scientists join the Manhattan Project as a result, including Klaus Fuchs
Roosevelt and Winston Churchill sign Quebec Agreement & a team of British scientists join the Manhattan Project as a result, including Klaus Fuchs
Roosevelt & Churchill agree to defeat Japan within 12 months of Germany's defeat
Operation Baytown to land on the "toe" of Italy is set for the 2/3 Sept
Birth of June Ellen Child
Operation Baytown to land on the "toe" of Italy is set for the 2/3 Sept. Montgomery requests & gets additional forces for the Eighth Army
Breaches the Gothic Line
Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Force
Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Force
Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Force
The initial draft of the COSSAC plan for Operation Overlord is accepted at the Quebec Conference in August 1943, but no supreme commander was appointed for several months
Appointed Commander in Chief of the Allied Expeditionary Force
Moves to Hanslope Park to work on secure voice communications rather than returning to full-time Hut 8 work.
The initial draft of the COSSAC plan for Operation Overlord is accepted at the Quebec Conference in August 1943, but no supreme commander was appointed for several months
Moves to Delhi for senior military-intelligence work connected with India and the South-East Asian theatre.
Returns to Britain after his American cryptographic and secure-speech mission.
The Italian government accepts Allied armistice terms and prepares to leave the Axis war effort.
The Italian Government agrees to the Allied terms of surrender
Some of the Eighth Army cross the Straits of Messina & land on the Calabrian Coast
Directs Eighth Army's crossing of the Strait of Messina into Calabria during Operation Baytown.
13 Corps capture Reggio during the Allied invasion of Italy
13 Corps capture San Giovanni during the Allied invasion of Italy
Some of the Eighth Army cross the Straits of Messina & land on the Calabrian Coast
13 Corps lands on the beaches between Reggio & Villa San Giovanni
Italy's surrender removes a major Axis partner from active war against the Allies.
Italy surrenders to the Allies
Receives an honarary degree from Harvard University
Birth of Roger Waters, later bassist, lyricist and conceptual leader of Pink Floyd
Italy signs an armistice with the Allies in secret
Italy announces an armistice
Pins German forces down to divert them from the US 5th who are moving towards Naples
Pins German forces down to divert them from the US 5th who are moving towards Naples
Capture Crotone to divert the Germans from the US 5th who are moving towards Naples
Requested to push on & threaten the German forces attacking the US 5th Army
The head of the Eighth Army joins with the right flank of the 5th US Army
Joins up with the US forces at Salerno
Links up with the 5th Army & British 1st Airborne Division
Pushes Eighth Army along the Adriatic side of Italy toward the important Foggia airfields.
The Eighth Army captures the Foggia airfield
The Eighth Army captures the Naples airfield
Sees the specialised Abwehr-Enigma Bombe Eureka installed as ISK expands mechanised attacks.
Becomes head of Machine Coordination and Development, overseeing mechanised support for Enigma cryptanalysis.
Prevents the Germans from separating the American & British forces
Ousts the Germans from Bari
Ousts the Germans from Belvedere
Ousts the Germans from Cosenza
Wants operations in the eastern Mediterranean to tempt Turkey into joining the Allies
British forces enter Naples
Leads the Eighth Army into Naples
The RAF launch a 25 minute bombing raid on Munich
Appointed First Sea Lord
Appointed First Sea Lord
The Allies capture Naples
The RAF bomb Stuttgart
Operation Rankin could win the war ahead of Operation Overlord
Allied agreement to set up United Nations Commission on War Crimes
Allied agreement to set up United Nations Commission on War Crimes
Appointed Viceroy of India, officially installed
Agrees to the European Advisery Commission to divide Germany into military zones
Declaration to create an international organisation for peace & security. Annexation imposed on Austria by Germany on March 15, 1938, is null and void
Agrees to form the European Advisery Commission to divide Germany into military zones
Agrees to form the European Advisery Commission to divide Germany into military zones
Agrees to the European Advisery Commission to divide Germany into military zones
Meets the Russians & confirms the Allied decision at Quebec to launch Overlord
The British attempt to capture the Dodecanese after the surrender of Italy. The British are driven out of the Dodecanese & lose 5,000
The Eighth Army captures the heights on the Sangro, 100 miles east of Rome
The AEAF HQ takes control of the RAF Tactical Air Force & the Air Defence of Britain
The 1st Arctic convoy since February sets sail
An Allied Expeditionary force is formed for the invasion of Europe
Mosley is released for reasons of poor health
1st day of the "battle of Berlin", 700 tons dropped by the RAF
1st day of the "battle of Berlin", 700 tons dropped by the RAF
Worst bombing of Berlin so far, 2,300 tons dropped
Resigns from the BBC.
Berlin reported as "sea of flames", up to 10,000 dead
Confirms British committment to Overlord at the Cairo Conference
Japan will lose Pacific Islands seized since the beginning of World War I
Operation Buccaner is agreed at the Cairo Conference
Stalin turns down the invitation to appear at the Cairo Conference
An attack on the Andaman Islands to coincide with a Chinese attack on Burma is agreed
An attack on the Andaman Islands to coincide with a Chinese attack on Burma is agreed
Operation Buccaner is agreed at the Cairo Conference. An attack on the Andaman Islands to coincide with a Chinese attack on Burma is agreed
Confirms British committment to Overlord at the Cairo Conference
British Chiefs of Staff propose guerilla war in Yugoslavia, Greece & Albania
British Chiefs of Staff propose opening the Dardanelles to Russia
British Chiefs of Staff propose pushing the offensive in Italy to the Pisa-Rimini line
Efforts are made to bring Turkey into the war on the side of the Allies & discussions at Tehran with Russia
Churchill and the Anglo-American staffs review European strategy at Cairo before the forthcoming meeting with Stalin in Tehran.
Churchill arrives in Tehran with the British delegation for the first wartime meeting of the three principal Allied leaders.
Clark Kerr joins Harriman and Molotov in preparatory talks about conference security and arrangements.
Brooke attends the Tehran discussions as Chief of the Imperial General Staff and principal British military adviser.
Churchill argues that Mediterranean opportunities should not be discarded while the Allies prepare Overlord.
Churchill joins Roosevelt and Stalin for their first formal three-power plenary meeting.
Eden takes part in British diplomatic discussions during the opening day of the summit.
Eden joins Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin and senior diplomats for evening discussions after the opening plenary.
Churchill completes the first day of discussions with the central issue of future operations in Europe still under debate.
Churchill joins Roosevelt and Stalin at the first plenary meeting of the Tehran Conference.
Churchill tells Stalin he has no attachment to a precise Polish-Soviet frontier but regards Soviet security and a strong independent Poland as essential.
Brooke represents British strategic views during the formal military discussions among the three powers.
Brooke examines how Mediterranean commitments would affect forces and landing craft required for Overlord.
Churchill accepts a southern France operation provided available landing craft and wider strategy permit it.
Eden participates in late discussions covering political questions alongside military strategy.
Churchill continues the strategic debate over Overlord, Mediterranean operations and supporting offensives.
Churchill presents Stalin with the Sword of Stalingrad on behalf of King George VI and the British people.
Brooke attends the dinner where military and political discussions continue among senior Allied leaders.
Churchill takes part in the third plenary as the leaders narrow their remaining strategic differences.
Churchill receives Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi while the Allied leaders are gathered in Tehran.
Churchill celebrates his sixty-ninth birthday at a dinner attended by Roosevelt, Stalin and senior Allied leaders.
Chadwick helps lead the British scientific mission that travels to the United States to join Allied atomic-bomb work.
Agreed to mount Overlord & send a diversionary force to the south of France in May 1944
Agrees to mount Overlord & send a diversionary force to the south of France in May 1944
Given command of the assault phase for Overlord on the ground
Presents Stalin with a commemorative sword in honour of those who defended Stalingrad
Presents Stalin with a commemorative sword in honour of those who defended Stalingrad
Brooke's delegation joins the agreement to coordinate deception plans intended to mislead Germany about forthcoming operations.
Churchill commits Britain to respect Iran's political independence and territorial integrity after wartime cooperation.
Churchill joins prolonged final discussions covering military conclusions and political declarations.
Churchill accepts the agreed plan for Overlord in 1944 together with a supporting operation against southern France.
Eden challenges Molotov's claim that the 1939 Soviet frontier and the Curzon Line are identical, noting meaningful differences between them.
Churchill asks Stalin for a workable frontier formula that Britain could take back to the Polish Government in London.
Churchill accepts a supporting operation against southern France, subject to the availability of landing craft.
Churchill leaves the summit with agreement on coordinated 1944 operations and continued three-power cooperation.
Churchill signs the declaration stating that the Allies have concerted their plans for the destruction of German forces.
Churchill joins the conclusion that Allied strategy would benefit if Turkey entered the war before the end of 1943.
Churchill proposes shifting Poland westward, compensating eastern territorial losses with German lands including parts of East Prussia and territory toward the Oder.
Bevin announces conscription to coal mines
The RAF bomb Leipzig, 1,500 killed & 40,000 homeless
Churchill & Roosevelt agree Gen Eisenhower will command Allied forces for the planned invasion of Europe, Eisenhowers appointment as Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, publicly announced by Roosevelt
Churchill & Roosevelt agree Gen Eisenhower will command Allied forces for the planned invasion of Europe, Eisenhowers appointment as Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, publicly announced by Roosevelt
Churchill & Roosevelt agree Gen Eisenhower will command Allied forces for the planned invasion of Europe, Eisenhowers appointment as Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, publicly announced by Roosevelt
Birth of Keith Richards, later guitarist and songwriter of the Rolling Stones.
The British Air Ministry announces that Hamburg lies in ruins
Appointed Commander of the 21 Army Group
Appointed Commander of the 21 Army Group
Appointed Commander of the 21 Army Group to open a "2nd front" on D-Day
Appointed to open a "2nd front" across the Channel for D-Day
Appointed Supreme Commander of the Mediterranean
Appointed Supreme Commander of the Mediterranean
Is appointed to command 21st Army Group for the coming Allied invasion of north-west Europe.
Speaks with assurance of, "our coming victory"
Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1st term
47 divisions are committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French
Birth of Kinks bassist Peter Quaife.
Following Eisenhowers and Montgomerys revisions it is expanded to landings by 5 divisions and airborne descents by 3 divisions, in total, 47 divisions would be committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French
Eisenhower & Montgomerry insist that the scale of the invasion be expanded, to prevent the invaders being restricted to a narrow beachhead, with insufficient room to land follow-up formations, delaying Overlord to June. Eisenhower & Montgomerry both first see the COSSAC plan on 31 December 1943 at Marrakech in Morroco, in a conference with Winston Churchill
47 divisions are committed to the Battle of Normandy: 19 British, 5 Canadian, 21 US & 1 Free French
In December 1943, Operation Postage Able used an X-craft to collect suitable data for all of the Normandy beaches
Begins the As I Please column for Tribune.
Proposes sending 2 Divisions to south France as a diversion to Overlord
Proposes sending 2 Divisions to south France as a diversion to Overlord
Gets some LCTs from Burma against the Japanese for use in Operation Overlord
Gets some LCTs from Burma against the Japanese for use in Operation Overlord
Takes command of the Eighth Army after the North African campaign has protected Egypt and the Suez Canal.
Becomes literary editor of Tribune.
Publication of "A Private Country"
Tries to get Turkish alliance with a Balkan bloc, Russia disapproves & Eden withdraws
Tries to get Turkish alliance with a Balkan bloc, Russia disapproves & Eden withdraws
Appointed Archbishop of Westminster
Studies secure voice communications at Bell Laboratories while in the United States.
Leads the Eighth Armys persuit of the German Tenth Army as far as the Gothic Line
Captured after the SAS has destroyed 250 enemy aircraft, sent to Colditz
Appointed Chief of Naval Staff
Appointed Chief of Staff of the Navy
Appointed Commander in Chief in India
Appointed Commander in Chief in India
Appointed Commander of Air forces in South East Asia
Appointed Commander of Air forces in South East Asia
Appointed Commander in Chief, Navy for Operation Overlord
Appointed Commander in Chief, Navy for Operation Overlord
Appointed Commander of Operation Neptune
Commands forces in the middle east
Commands forces in the middle east
Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army, succeeds Montgomery
Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army, succeeds Montgomery
Eienhower is appointed The Supreme Allied Commander for Overlord instead of Brooke
A joint offensive will be launched on the Contentin Peninsula. A joint Allied staff COSSAC is set up for invasion of Europe in the Summer of 1944
The future of Austria as an independent state is assured. Promises retribution for the Nazis "abominal deeds" against the Jews
Begins work with Donald Bayley on the portable secure-speech system code-named Delilah.
Designs a system intended to encipher speech for transmission by telephone line or short-distance radio.
Works closely with engineer Donald Bayley on electronics, experiments and circuitry for Delilah.
Wins election as Treasurer of the Labour Party, defeating Herbert Morrison.
Heads Hut 6 Research and supports increasingly systematic attacks on German Army and Luftwaffe Enigma.
Appointed Field Marshal
Appointed Field Marshal
Appointed Field Marshal
Appointed Field Marshal
Appointed First Sea Lord of the Admiralty
Appointed First Sea Lord of the Admiralty
Appointed General
Appointed General
Studies German civilian and military morale to improve Allied psychological warfare.
H2S radar supports navigation and target finding in Bomber Command.
Prepares coalition proposals for a national health service.
A joint Allied staff COSSAC is set up for invasion of Europe in the Summer of 1944
Wants Eisenhower to follow up the invasion of Sicily with an invasion of Italy
The Allies are drawn north by the Germans & by Dec halt their advance at the Gustav Line
Wants Eisenhower to follow up the invasion of Sicily with an invasion of Italy
Healey continues active service during the long Allied campaign in Italy.
Healey continues his wartime service as Allied forces advance into mainland Italy.
Serves as secretary to the Joint Intelligence Committee for India and contributes to planning within South-East Asia Command.
Speaks at the annual Labour Party Conference for the 1st time
MGM cast Taylor in Lassie Come Home
Appointed Lord President of the Council
Appointed Lord Privy Seal
Appointed Lord Privy Seal
Moves from Birmingham nuclear research into Allied atomic bomb work.
Appointed Minister of Planning
Commands Operation Neptune which provides naval support for Operation Overlord
Healey takes part in the Allied invasion of Sicily during Operation Husky.
Appointed to plan British & US tactical air forces for Operation Overlord
Appointed Commander in Chief, Navy for Operation Overlord
Created Earl Wavell, 1st
Appointed Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
The Italian fleet passes under Allied control rather than continuing the war against them.
Serves in the Royal Navy during the Second World War period before pursuing formal music training.
Appointed Dominions Secretary, 2nd term
Healey serves during the Allied invasion of Sicily.
Appointed Speaker of the House of Commons
Cunninghams ships, Warspite & Valiant, accept the surrender of the Italian Fleet
Leads the Eighth Armys persuit of the German Tenth Army as far as the Gothic Line
Masons first commercial success came in 1943 with The Man in Grey, a swashbuckling Regency romance
Works with American cryptographic specialists on high-speed Bombe technology for attacking Enigma traffic.
Appears in We Dive at Dawn
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