WWII History

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 […]

1940 First early morning air-raid alarm is heard in London. At 1:35am, all acts of war between the French and German armed forces officially cease. Churchill says France is not freed of her obligations. The German army has moved thru France even faster than expected. As Field Marshal Erwin Rommel puts it, “The war has

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

This Day in World War II History: June 19 June 19 marked turning points across multiple years of World War II—from desperate defenses in Europe to game-changing air battles in the Pacific. Here’s a detailed look at significant events that occurred on June 19 between 1940 and 1945. June 19, 1940: France Crumbles, Britain Prepares

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