WWII History

1939 Finnish ski troops fight Soviets with first use of homemade “Molotov Cocktails.” 1940 134 RAF bombers attack Mannheim in revenge for German attacks against British cities. This is the RAF’s largest attack on a single target thus far in the war. 115 German civilian’s were killed or injured and 1,266 made homeless. It is also […]

1938 Washington sends its fourth note to Berlin demanding amnesty for Jews. 1939 A fifth British division arrives in France. The Uruguayan government gives the Admiral of the Graf Spee 36 hours to leave harbour. The Russians launch heavy attacks against Finnish forces at Taipale. 1940 The coffin of Napoleon II is moved from Vienna

1937 The Japanese change the name of Peiping to Peking. They also begin what will be known as the Rape of Nanking, during which they massacre an estimated quarter of a million Chinese. 1939 Because of its brutal aggression against Finland, the Soviet Union is expelled from the League of Nations. 1940 Australian troops relieve

1937 The Japanese army occupies Nanking, China. 1939 In the south Atlantic, the pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, fights an action against three British cruisers, HMS Achilles, HMS Ajax and HMS Exeter, which results in serious damage to both sides. HMS Exeter is rendered a blazing hulk and the Graf Spee withdraws to the neutral

1937 The Japanese fire on British and U.S. ships on the Yangtze River in China, sinking the American ship Panay. The Japanese apologize to the United States and pay reparations; the British refuse to accept any Japanese apology. 1939 Finnish have some success against Russian troops at Tolvajrvi, inflicting heavy casualties. Two German cruisers which

1939 Finnish ski troops attack Soviet supply line on Raate Road. 1940 Sidi Barrani is captured along with over 20,000 Italians, bringing the total captured to nearly 38,000 in 2 days, along with 237 guns and 73 tanks. At this time, Wavell decides to withdraw the 4th Indian Division and send it to the Sudan.

December 10 in World War II saw the sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse, the Japanese capture of Guam, the relief of Tobruk, the first U.S. bombing mission of the war, and the first German Jewish transport to Auschwitz. Explore the full timeline from 1939–1944.

December 9 in World War II saw the first British soldier killed, the launch of Operation Compass, Japanese advances across Asia, the heroism of Flt Lt Scarf at Alor Star, and General Patton’s injury. Explore the full timeline from 1939–1945.

Excerpt: Japan, sweeping Japanese attacks across the Pacific, the Soviet winter offensive
against Germany, and the opening of the Chelmno extermination camp. Explore key
events from 1939–1944 in today’s WWII timeline.

December 7 marks one of the most defining moments of World War II—the attack on Pearl Harbor. As Japan launched its surprise strike on Hawaii, global tensions erupted into full-scale war. From the Winter War in Finland to daring commando raids in France and shifting fronts in Libya and the Pacific, this day reshaped the conflict across every theater.