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Although France and Great Britain offered Germany an ultimatum, remove German troops from Poland or else the two democratic forces would go to war with Germany, the Nazi government refused. World War II began. Timeline leading up to beginning of World War II
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Germany invaded Northern France. The invasion left France split in two, with Germany controlling the North and Free France in the South. Timeline leading up to German invasion of France
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Around 340,000 French and British troops were evacuated from the beach of Dunkirk More information on Dunkirk
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After the Fall of France, Allies order the destruction of the ship Mers-el-Kebir to prevent it from falling into German possession.
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Allies invade Vichy French-controlled Syria and Lebanon
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The Syria-Lebanon campaign begins. Allies prevent Gernmany from using the Vichy French-controlled Mandate of Syria and Mandate of Lebanon to use as launchpoins for attacks on the Allied stronghold of Egypt
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Hitler invades USSR at an attempt to capture oil lines. Details on Operation Barbarossa
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Vichy France signs armistice terms ending all fighting in Syria and Lebanon
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United States of America grants Lend-Lease resources to Free France.
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St. Nazaire is located at the coast of western France. It was a key port during WWII, it acted as a transfer point for British troops.
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ports were of strategic value, allied and japanese forces faught to maintain control until november 6, 1942. Allied victory
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A failed Allied attempt to capture the port and German intelligence. Allies were forced to retreat. More information on Dieppe
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German forces, accompanied by Vichy-French police, round up thousands of Jews to be shipped to nearby concentration camps
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Lebanon becomes independent from France
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British and American troops land on beaches of Normandy in France
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During a desperate escape to Switzerland, Benito Mussolini was captured and executed. His lifeless body was then hung at a gas station where it was subjected to further public beatings. Biography of Benito Mussolini
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It is widely believed that the Nazi leader poisoned and shot himself to end his own life. Details on Hitler
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Spanish government hand Pierre Laval over to France Online book on the trial against Pierre Laval
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Laval is found guilty for treason and violating state security and is sentenced to be executed by firing squad
