WWII History

1939 First flight of the XB-24 Liberator, at Lindbergh Field, San Diego, the prototype for what will be America’s most-produced four-engine bomber of the war. The German submarine U-30 spotted the British battleship HMS Barnham west of the Butt of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides and hit it with a torpedo. Four crew members were […]

1939 The Finnish 9th Division attacks towards Suomussalmi, recapturing the village and forcing the Russian 163rd Division to retreat in panic. US State Department protests British removal and censorship of US mail from neutral ships. 1941 Japanese bomb Manila despite “open city” declaration. Australian Prime Minister John Curtin proclaims, “Australia looks to America.” Japanese sub I-25 shells

1939 The first squadron of Australian airmen arrives in Britain. 1941 Japanese troops cross the river Perak. The Japanese commander General Yamashita senses that British resistance is weakening in Malaya and is determined to push home his advantage and not allow the British any time to reorganize themselves. This he does by forcing the British

1939 A fresh Russian division is thrown into the attacks at Taipale. The Russian air force bombs 11 towns and villages. Soviets attempt to break out at Suomussalmi, Finland, but fail. The admiralty announces the completion of a minefield, 500 miles long and 35 wide, down the East coast. 1940 The Admiral Hipper intercepts a

1939 Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas appeal for peace. 1940 US refuses to admit Jewish refugees, believing it will lead to expulsion of all Jews from Europe. Bonus Christmas ration is distributed in Germany—26 oz rice & vegetables, 1 lb sugar, coffee, and jam. 1941 Japanese troops make further landings on Luzon to the

1939 British form military intelligence section MI9 to aid resistance fighters, downed airmen, and POWs in Nazi-occupied countries. First Canadian troops arrive in Britain. 1940 Anthony Eden becomes Foreign Secretary. Churchill broadcasts to Italy: ‘All because of one man’. Lord Halifax appointed British ambassador to Washington. Italian torpedo boat Fratelli Cairoli sinks after hitting a

1939 Finns overrun Soviets at Ägläjärvi, Finland. 1940 David Margesson appointed to replace Anthony Eden as British Secretary of State for War. The Battle of Himara ended in Greek victory. The heaviest raids of the Manchester Blitz began. Over the next two days a total of 654 people were killed and over 2,000 injured. 1941 Prime Minister Churchill arrives

1939 During their brief period of comradeship, Hitler sends Joseph Stalin a telegram wishing him a happy sixtieth birthday. 1940 The RAF attacks Berlin, inflicting only minor damage. The Admiralty decides to transfer another Battleship, HMS Malaya to Force H from the Mediterranean fleet. Again this was to be accomplished by escorting a convoy to

1939 The Russians cease their attacks at Summa, leaving Finnish forces in control of the whole Mannerheim defensive line, except the Oinala Bulge. Captain Langsdorff of Admiral Graf Spee commits suicide. “Let’s Help Finland” event held at Madison Square Garden, New York City. 1940 The Luftwaffe continues its attacks against British cities, this time hitting Liverpool.

1939 The Russians lose 20 tanks out of 100 as they continue to attack at Summa. Inside US territorial waters off Florida, British light cruiser Orion fires at German freighter Arauca, violating Pan-American Neutrality Zone; Arauca puts in to port at Port Everglades, FL. 1940 Mussolini requests German assistance for his hard-pressed troops in Cyrenaica, asking for a Panzer Division,