1939 Germany warns all neutral shipping to stay clear of British and French coasts, or risk being sunk. This had already happened to a number of neutral ships, particularly at night when it was difficult to identify them. U-boat skippers were now given the go ahead to sink any ship not showing lights at night. […]

1939 RAF shoots down seven German aircraft over France. The Nazis in control of Poland issue a decree requiring all Polish Jews over the age of twelve to wear white armbands emblazoned with a blue Star of David. The Scharnhorst and Gneisenau intercept a convoy, which is escorted by the merchant cruiser Rawalpindi. The Scharnhorst

1939 German aircraft parachute mines into the Thames Estuary. 1940 The Luftwaffe’s heaviest raid on Birmingham; 11-hr raid causes 600 fires. 1941 All operational U-boats ordered to proceed to the Mediterranean or its approach. A confused battle continues around Sidi Rezegh, with XXX Corps being forced to stop it advance towards Tobruk after the loss

1937 The first stretch of the German Autobahn is opened for use. The main purpose of the road is to deploy and supply its forces throughout the country. Eventually, 4,500 miles of four-lane highway will cover Germany. 1939 Prime Minister Chamberlain imposes an embargo on all German trade, with goods currently in Britain, but destined

1940 Hungarian Premier and Foreign Minister in Vienna agree to join Tripartite. 1941 The exiled Norwegian Government in London officially backs ‘Milorg’, the largest resistance organization in Norway. The British garrison is ordered to break out and link up with XXX Corps. However, Rommel, now realizing the threat sent the Afrika Korps to attack at Sidi Rezegh.

1940 Greek successes continue in northern Greece and Albania. The Italians are driven back across the Kalamas River. The Canadian government approves initiation of mass production of war bacteria. The Luftwaffe launches a major raid against Birmingham, inflicting heavy damage in places. 1941 The Times newspaper’s report on Occupied Europe estimates that 82,000 Poles have

1939 The Dutch ship Simon Bolivar hits an ‘un-notified’ mine in the North Sea, killing 80. Several other neutral ships also sunk by mines. IRA detonate four small bombs in Piccadilly, London. 1941 At 6am ‘Operation Crusader’, the British Eighth Army’s offensive to relieve Tobruk begins. Rommel, who arrives back from Rome that day, is