WWII Today in History. On these pages you will find of some of the most important events that shaped World War 2.
1940 President Roosevelt lays down ‘five fundamentals of freedom’: freedom from fear, of information, of religion, of expression, and from want. The RAF carries out night raids on Kiel and Wilhelmshaven. The British destroyer Whirlwind is sunk by U-34 off Land’s End. Romania announces its alignment with the Axis powers. In retaliation for the British […]
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1940In the House of Commons, prime minister Churchill declares,’ I leave the judgment of our actions with confidence to Parliament. I leave it to the nation and I leave it to the United States. I leave it to the world and to history.’ German Stukas and MTBs attack a British convoy South of Portland, sinking
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1940 Fifty nine French warships that had sought refuge at Plymouth and Portsmouth are seized by the Royal Navy, but only after overcoming armed French resistance in some cases. The British Auxiliary AA ship Foyle Bank is sunk in German air attacks on the docks at Portland, Dorset. Due to heavy losses at the hands
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1940 The British liner Arandora Star, carrying 1,500 German and Italian prisoners of war to Canada, is sunk by U-47 off the west coast of Ireland, with many casualties. Hitler orders preparation of ‘Operation Sealion’ the plan for the invasion of Britain. Germans issue casualty figures for French campaign: 17,000 killed and 1,900,000 French prisoners
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1940 In the first 6 months of the year, German U-boats have sunk 900,000 tons of Allied shipping. German troops occupy Jersey and complete the capture of the Channel Islands, the only British territory ever captured by Germany during World War 2. The French government of Marshal Petain moves from Bordeaux to Vichy. Germany asks
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*1934 Adolf Hitler began his ”blood purge” of political and military leaders in Germany. Among those killed was one-time Hitler ally Ernst Roehm, leader of the Nazi stormtroopers. 1940 Germans troops land on Guernsey in the Channel Islands. The last French defenders of the Maginot Line surrender. Governor General of Hong Kong orders evacuation of
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1940 Japan declares the South Seas to be in its sphere of influence. President Roosevelt signs the Alien Registration Act; 5 million foreigners will register and be fingerprinted. 1941 Lord Beaverbrook becomes Minister of Supply in Cabinet reshuffle. Goering is named Hitler’s successor. Russian defense Committee is formed with Stalin, Molotov, Voroshilov, Malenkov and Beria.
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1940 The Alien Registration Act (the Smith Act) passed by the US Congress requires aliens to register and be fingerprinted. The Act makes it illegal to advocate the overthrow of the US government. German aircraft bomb Jersey. British government recognizes de Gaulle as leader of ëFree FrenchÃ. Channel Islands demilitarized and partially evacuated. The Pope
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1940 All French ships in British ports are seized by the Royal Navy. German troops reach Franco-Spanish border. Romania agrees to cede Bessarabia to the USSR. French C-in-C in Syria accepts armistice terms. Japanese troops occupy part of the Hong Kong peninsula. 1941 German forces capture Bobruisk and Przemysl. Hungary declares war on the Soviet
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1940 British blockade of war materials and food extended to whole of France. De Gaulle forms French Volunteer Legion in Britain. Turkey announces that she will stay out of the war. 1941 German forces of Army Group North capture Donaburg in Latvia. The Luftwaffe carries out raids on Leningrad. Heavy fighting in the Bialystok area
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