Soviet Union invades Finland
On this day, the Soviet Union launched an invasion of neighbouring Finland. The invasion…
November 1939
U-boat sunk in North Sea, all crew survive
A German u-boat was sunk by British destroyers on this day. The British ships remained in the…
Soviet Union cancels non-aggression treaty with Finland
On this day, the Soviet Union cancelled its non-aggression treaty with Finland, in an…
Finland denies shelling Soviet Union, suggesting it was an accident
The shelling of the Soviet town of Mainila, secretly carried out by Soviet forces, continued…
Soviet Union shells Soviet town, blames Finland in ‘false flag’ operation
The worsening relations between the Soviet Union and Finland took a more dangerous turn today…
1940 Winter Olympics, set to be held in Germany, cancelled
On this day, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that the 1940 Winter Olympics…
Japanese forces seize Nanning in swift victory
Japanese forces executed a meticulously planned offensive, capturing Nanning today. …
Hitler: “The fate of the Reich depends only upon me.”
Adolf Hitler gathered 200 of his commanding generals on this day to convince his most senior…
British viscount denies Royal Navy blockade will affect neutral nations
On this day, Viscount Cecil of Chelwood spoke in the British House of Lords to explain no…
Two British warships hit mines on same day
On this day, a British destroyer and a British light cruiser both hit mines in different parts…
British submarine claims first enemy sinking of the war
The Royal Navy was celebrating on this day upon hearing of the successful sinking of a German…
Another British ship sunk by u-boat fleet
On this day, the British cargo steamer SS Darin was torpedoed and sunk. The Darino, 1,351…
Dutch liner hits German mines and sinks
Today, Dutch liner Simon Bolivar struck two mine, 20 miles off Harwich on the coast of the…
Nazis kill nine and send 1,200 Czech students to concentration camps
On this day, the Nazi authorities occupying Czechoslovakia clamped down hard on student…
Britain’s growing unease about German troop build-up
On this day, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer reported to the House of Commons of the…
Czech student’s funeral inspires anti-Nazi protests
On this day, the funeral procession of Jan Opletal turned into an ant-Nazi demonstration. …
Great Synagogue of Łódź burnt to ground by Nazis
Another Polish synagogue was destroyed by the Nazis on this day. This time it was the Great…
First German bombs land on British soil as Shetland Islands attacked by Luftwaffe
The war came a bit closer to the British population on this day, when the German Luftwaffe…
King George VI urges resistance to Nazi Germany
Today, King George VI delivered a radio address to the British people. In the speech, he spoke…
Nazis burn down large Polish synagogue
On this day, the Nazi party attacked and burned down a large synagogue in occupied Poland. …
Hitler flies in new personal aircraft
On this day, German chancellor Adolf Hitler flew for the first time in his new personal…
British steam merchant ship strikes mine laid by u-boat, sinks
A British steam merchant ship, the Carmarthen Coast, struck a mine and sank on this day. The…
Assassin misses killing Hitler by 13 minutes
On this day, an elaborate and painstakingly-planned assassination attempt of Adolf Hitler…
Dutch and Belgian monarchs offer to mediate peace between nations
On this day, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and King Leopold III of the Belgians offered…
Gestapo arrest 184 Polish professors and lecturers, and halt all secondary and higher education in Poland
On this day, 184 professors, lecturers and doctors from various Polish universities were…
German Chief of the General Staff considers removing Hitler from power
The commander of all German land forces, General Franz Halder, today considered overthrowing…
MI6 chief dies
Admiral Hugh Sinclair, chief of Britain's foreign intelligence service MI6, died on this…
City of Flint seized by Norwegians and returned to American crew
Today, the story of the SS City of Flint came to an end as Norwegian authorities seized the…
Parliament of the Republic of Poland dissolved by President Raczkiewicz
On this day, the exiled President of Poland, Władysław Raczkiewicz, announced the dissolution…
China launches Winter Offensive against Japanese Army
On this day, Chinese forces launched a major offensive against the Imperial Japanese Army on…