1933
Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany
1939
Hitler threatens Jews during Reichstag speech.
1941
Australian troops capture Derna as the Italians begin to withdraw towards Benghazi. The 1st South African Division launches a feint attack against Mega in southern Abyssinia, in order to prevent the Italians from sending troops to reinforce their hard pressed forces in Somaliland.
Hitler, speaking at the Berlin Sports Palace, reaffirms his prewar prophecy concerning the Jews; once again telling an audience that “the result of this war will be the complete annihilation of the Jews.”
The 4th Indian Division continues to withdraw along the coast road towards Derna.
The Japanese capture Moulmein and its airfield in Burma as the British forces evacuate and withdraw across the river Salween.
The British withdraw to Singapore Island with the Japanese only 8 miles away.
Japanese forces capture the important naval base of Amboina between Celebes and New Guinea.
US Army awards contract to Northrop to develop a night fighter. Resulting in the Northrop P-61C Black Widow.
1943
With the German Sixth Army in its death throes at Stalingrad, Hitler does the seemingly unthinkable and allows the 10th anniversary of the Nazi seizure of power to pass without speaking to the nation. It is the first unmistakable evidence of Hitler’s retreat from public appearances as the tide of the war turns.
Ernst Kaltenbrunner succeeds Heydrich as head of RSHA.
1944
The Russians attack towards Nikopol on the southern Dnieper.
A U.S. Ranger battalion is wiped out at Anzio.
British attacks on the ‘Golden Fortress’ in the Arakan, Burma cease.
1945
In the Baltic Sea, 7000 refugees drown when the Soviet submarine S-13 sinks the German liner Wilhelm Gustloff. The incident the largest single naval disaster in history.
On the twelfth anniversary of his coming to power, Hitler, calls for fanatical resistance by soldiers and civilians and predicts that “…in this struggle for survival it will not be inner Asia that will conquer, but the people that has defended Europe for centuries against the onslaughts from the East, the German nation…”