WWII Today in History. On these pages you will find of some of the most important events that shaped World War 2.
Los Baños Raid – A Textbook Airborne Operation The Los Baños Raid is eclipsed in size and fame by the airborne drops of the Normandy and Market Garden Airborne Operations, however its technical and operational excellence remains the standard to this day. On January 9, 1945, with the majority of the Philippines already under Allied […]
1941 Hitler increases the pressure on Yugoslavia to join the Tripartite pact by inviting Prince Paul, the regent, to Berchtesgaden. Hitler demands that he allows German troops to pass through Yugoslavia for an attack on Greece. In return, the port of Salonika and part of Macedonia will be ceded to Yugoslavia. On the northern Norwegian
World War II Today: March 4 Read More »
1940 The Russian launch a massive offensive and bring Viipuri under direct attack. This brings home to the Finns the fact that they cannot resist for must longer against the overwhelming force that the Russians are now deploying. Italy protests to Britain over proposed ban on Italian imports of German coal. 1941 Moscow denounces the
World War II Today: March 3 Read More »
1940 British India liner Domala bombed in English Channel, killing 100 people. 1941 The German Twelfth Army moves into Bulgaria. Great Britain breaks off diplomatic relations with Bulgaria. Germans occupy Bulgaria on way to invade Greece. The RAF launches a heavy raid against Cologne. 1942 Churchill declares that the Tirpitz is ‘the most important naval
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1940 The US Under Secretary of State, Sumner Welles arrives in Berlin at the start of a peace tour of the belligerent countries. The Soviet Unions peace ultimatum to Finland expires. 1941 Bulgaria finally joins the Tripartite pact after the discovery of a planned pro-British coup. Italian civilian rations are halved in order to allow
World War II Today: March 1 Read More »
1936 The Japanese Army restores order in Tokyo and arrests officers involved in a coup. 1940 Russian forces overrun the second line of Finnish defenses on the Karelian Isthmus. First group of British volunteers arrive in Finland, under command of Lt. Kermit Roosevelt, son of Teddy. 1941 Vichy France reduces bread ration from 350g to
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1933 The burning down of the Reichstag building in Berlin gives the Nazis the opportunity to suspend personal liberty with increased power. 1940 The Soviets launch offensive toward Viipuri, Finland. 1941 The first encounter of the Afrika Korps and the British forces. 1942 The Battle of the Java Sea begins and continues for three days,
World War II Today: February 27 Read More »
Where does the name “D-Day” come from, and how D-Days were there?. What is the actual meaning of the D in D-Day?. A popular view in France is that it stands for disembarkation or debarkation, referring to the invading Allied troops disembarking from their landing craft. Another, more romantic, explanation is decision, deliverance or doom.
Other D-Days in WW2 Read More »
1936 Japanese military troops march into Tokyo to conduct a coup and assassinate political leaders. 1940 US War Department activates Air Defense Command under Brig. Gen. James Chaney. 1941 Franco, in response to Hitler’s appeal to enter the war, says ‘I stand today already at your side, entirely and decidedly at your disposal,’ but refuses
World War II Today: February 26 Read More »
1941 British Commando’s land on the Italian held Island of Castelorizzo in the Dodecanese. The British submarine, HMS Upholder, sinks the Italian Cruiser Armando Diaz to the southwest of Malta. British Nigerian troops of the 11th African Division occupy Mogadishu, the capital of Italian Somaliland, having advanced up the coast. The 12th African Division pushes
World War II Today: February 25 Read More »
