WWII History

World War II Today: April 8 includes Italy’s invasion of Albania, the dramatic sinking of HMS Glowworm during the German invasion of Norway, Allied planning for a Second Front in Europe, Soviet advances into Eastern Europe, and fierce fighting in Vienna during the final weeks of the war.

World War II Today: April 7 includes the opening moves of Germany’s invasion of Norway, Rommel’s capture of Derna, the collapse of Allied defenses on Bataan, high-level Axis political tensions, the sinking of the battleship Yamato, and major Allied advances across Europe and the Pacific in 1945.

World War II Today: April 6 includes the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia and Greece, devastating Luftwaffe attacks on Belgrade and Piraeus, the arrival of the first U.S. troops in Australia, fighting in Tunisia and the Pacific, and the Soviet assault on Königsberg during the final weeks of the war in Europe.

World War II Today: April 5 includes Neville Chamberlain’s “missed the bus” speech, Germany’s massive 1942 eastern offensive plans, the Japanese carrier strike on Ceylon, Allied attacks in North Africa and Romania, an Auschwitz escape warning the world about Nazi atrocities, and major Allied advances in Germany and Okinawa in 1945.

World War II Today: April 4 includes harsh wartime laws in France, Rommel’s capture of Benghazi, the Italian withdrawal from Addis Ababa, fighting in Burma and Eastern Europe, the liberation of Ohrdruf concentration camp, and major Allied advances into Germany in 1945.

World War II Today: April 3 includes Churchill taking a larger role in British war policy, the beginning of the Katyn Forest massacre, the suicide of Hungarian Prime Minister Pál Teleki, the final Japanese offensive on Bataan, daring British attacks on the battleship Tirpitz, and major Allied advances into Germany and Austria in 1945.

World War II Today: April 2 includes Hitler’s final approval for the invasions of Denmark and Norway, Rommel’s rapid advance in North Africa, the departure of the Doolittle Raid task force aboard USS Hornet, brutal fighting in Burma and Malta, Soviet advances into Romania, and major Allied gains in Germany and Okinawa in 1945.

World War II Today: April 1 includes the 1940 U.S. Census, Britain’s “Dig for Victory” campaign, fighting in East Africa and Burma, convoy reforms along the American coast, the accidental bombing of Switzerland, and the massive Allied invasion of Okinawa in 1945.