WWII Today in History. On these pages you will find of some of the most important events that shaped World War 2.
1941 The Battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau sail from the Baltic to the Atlantic, causing absolute havoc to shipping routes and timetables. RAF reconnaissance planes report that the Italians are beginning to evacuate Benghazi in a withdrawal towards El Agheila. The 7th Armoured Division is given immediate instructions to advance from Mechili across the desert in […]
World War II Today: February 4 Read More »
1941 33 Italian Fascist Party leaders are dispatched to bolster morale on the Albanian front. Hitler reviews the plans for Operation ‘Barbarossa’, as German intelligence estimates that 155 Red Army divisions are deployed in western Russia against just 116 German and Axis divisions. The starting date is again confirmed as the 15th May 1941. The
World War II Today: February 3 Read More »
1939 Hungary breaks relations with the Soviet Union. 1940 Big Russian offensive continues on the Karelia front. Italian Jews banned from serving as engineers, professors, or journalists, and from serving Gentiles as doctors or lawyers. 1941 5th Indian Division captures Barentu, forcing the Italians to withdraw towards the mountain fortress at Keren. Indian & British
World War II Today: February 2 Read More »
A mid-air collision on February 1, 1943, between a B-17 and a German fighter over the Tunis dock area, became the subject of one of the most famous photographs of World War II. An enemy fighter attacking a 97th Bomb Group formation went out of control, probably with a wounded pilot then continued its crashing
Amazing B-17 Bomber Survival Story Read More »
1940 General Timoshenko launches his big offensive across the iced up straits of Viipuri Bay, although Finnish aircraft raids disrupt these attacks. The battleship Alabama (BB-60) is laid down at the Norfolk, Virginia. In Japan, expenditure on the military accounts for half of the national budget for 1940. 1941 The Admiral Hipper slips out of
World War II Today: February 1 Read More »
1940 Sir John Simon announces food subsidies are running at £1,000,000 per week. 1941 The new recruits of the ‘Nordland’ Regiment give their oath to SS Reichsführer Himmler in Oslo. The Italian garrison at Metemma in northern Abyssinia, having been under increasing pressure for the past 3 weeks, begins to withdraw towards Gondar, allowing the
World War 2 Today: January 31 Read More »
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
World War 2 Today: January 30 Read More »
1940 The Soviet Union reopens negotiations with Finland through Sweden and indicates that it may withdraw its support for Otto Kuusinen’s puppet government should the Finns come to terms. The Finnish 9th Division launches an attack with the aim of destroying the Russian 54th Division in Kuhmo. Luftwaffe attacks British shipping in Channel, sinking four
World War 2 Today: January 29 Read More »
1932 The Japanese attack Shanghai, China, and declare martial law. 1940 King George of Britain announces court will not be held this year due to the war. 1941 French General Charles DeGaulle’s Free French forces sack south Libya oasis. Thai bombers hit Sisophon, French Indochina, final combat in Franco-Thai war. 1942 Timoshenko’s offensive in the
World War II Today: January 28 Read More »
1939 President Franklin D. Roosevelt approves the sale of U.S. war planes to France. 1940 Hitler personally takes over planning for the invasion of Norway, ’Plan Weser’. 1941 The 7th Armoured Division captures Mechili. Meanwhile the Australians have bumped into strong Italian defences at Derna and so Wavell decides to halt further offensive action until
World War II Today: January 27 Read More »
