WWII History

1940 An armistice is signed between France and Italy at Villa Indusa near Rome. China protests to France over closure of Indo-Chinese border; Japanese request closure of Burma Road controlled by Britain and used to supply Chinese forces. British government sends gold bullion and securities to Canada for safekeeping. 1941 House of Commons votes for […]

1940 The German advance continues down west coast of France. Pierre Laval is appointed as Vice-Premier, while de Gaulle is cashiered by Weygand for announcing the formation of French National Committee in London. First British commando raid on France is made at Le Touquet. Hitler makes a brief sightseeing visit to Paris. Driving through nearly

1940 Second London County Council evacuation scheme completed, with 100,000 children moved to the West Country and Wales. Germans troops cross the River Loire in strength as an armistice between France and Germany is signed at Compiegne. Its terms are read out loud to the French delegation by Generaloberst Keitel and provide for the occupation

1940 Franco-German armistice negotiations begin at Compiegne, during which Hitler informs the French representatives of his terms in the same railway carriage as the German surrender was signed in 1918. Hitler issues a proclamation announcing the end of the war in the West and orders flags to be flown throughout Germany for ten days. The

1940 FDR appoints former Republicans to counter isolationists: Henry Stimson as Secretary of Army Frank Knox as Secretary of Navy They join Hull, Morgenthau, and Hopkins as the “war cabinet” Both Houses of Parliament meet in secret session to discuss Home Defense. German troops capture Lyons and the vital port of Brest in Brittany. French

1940 If invaders come leaflet is issued by Ministry of Information to all households. The British Jockey Club announces no more racing until further notice. The Germans invite the French to send a representative to discuss armistice terms as their troops reach River Loire, advance on Lyons, capture Strasbourg, Brest and Tours. Rommel takes Cherbourg.

1940 French Army in general retreat as German troops capture Le Mans and Cherbourg. The garrisons of Belfort, Metz and Dijon surrender. Hitler and Mussolini meet in Munich to discuss French request for peace. General de Gaulle forms the French National Committee in London and vows to continue the war on the side of Britain,

1940 Liner Lancastria, with 3,000 British troops aboard, bombed and sunk at St. Nazaire, in North West France. German troops cross the Loire near Orleans. Petain orders French to stop fighting and sues for ‘honourable’ peace terms. Churchill broadcasts to the nation, saying the British will defend their island home and fight on until the

1940 French front cracking as the Germans break through in Champagne to Dijon, with units of 19th Panzer Korps reaching Besancon on the Swiss border. German forces, supported by heavy artillery and Stuka dive bombers, continue their assault against the Maginot Line on a broad front. The French government of Paul Reynaud resigns and is

1940 Roosevelt assures Reynaud that US aid will be redoubled. Germans take Verdun. German forces of the 7th Army cross Rhine and break into the Maginot Line above Strasbourg. Weygand refuses to surrender French Army on its own. 30,600 British and Canadian troops are evacuated from Cherbourg, Brest and St. Malo. New Russo-German frontier agreement