January

January 31 in World War II saw the surrender of Germany’s Sixth Army at Stalingrad, the evacuation of Malaya, the creation of Vichy France’s Milice, major Allied landings in the Pacific, and the execution of Private Eddie Slovik.

World War II Today: January 30 spans the rise of Adolf Hitler, escalating persecution of Europe’s Jews, major Allied and Axis movements across Africa and Asia, pivotal technological advances, and one of the greatest maritime disasters in history.

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

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

January 27 in World War II includes the first U.S. daylight bombing raid on Germany, critical maneuvers in North Africa, Japanese naval losses to American submarines, the lifting of the Siege of Leningrad, and the liberation of Auschwitz.

1940 US-Japan Trade Treaty of 1911 lapses—US refuses to negotiate while Japanese troops are in China. Brooms in Britain to be made with square handles to save timber. 1941 The Italians evacuate Mechiliduring the night. 1942 The US-Filipino withdrawal to the Bagac-Orion line is successfully completed. The Japanese quickly followed up the withdrawal and made

1940 Nazis choose the town of Oswiecim (Auschwitz) in Poland near Krakow as site of new concentration camp. Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King dissolves Parliament; new elections to be held. US auxiliary ship Bear reaches deepest penetration by any ship yet into Antarctica. 1942 Thailand declares war on Britain and the US. Japanese troops begin landing at

1940 Chinese take Dongyangyuan Pass, Shanxi Province, China in war with Japan. 1941 General Cunningham’s ‘Southern Force’ invades Italian Somaliland from Garissa and Bura in Kenya. 1942 More reinforcements arrive at Singapore to boost its defenses as the British 18th Division is landed. Japanese troops land at Balikpapan in Dutch Borneo. Four US destroyers and

1940 Britain and France say they will not honor 200-mile Pan-American neutrality zone and will attack German ships there. Animals in Berlin Zoo placed on war rations—less meat, no bananas or peanuts. 1941 Before Congress, Charles Lindbergh suggests the US negotiate a neutrality pact with Hitler. HMS Illustrious, heavily damaged, leaves Malta for repairs in Alexandria.

1940 Destroyer Exmouth torpedoed off Wick, Scotland by U-22; all hands killed. British Ministry of Information begins censoring newsreels. 1941 The Destroyer HMS Hyperion sunk by mine off Cape Bon. Tobruk surrenders to British and Australian troops who capture 25,000 Italians, along with 208 guns and 87 tanks. Combined British and Australian losses were about 450.