World War II Till US Joins

WORLD WAR II BEGINS

Sep 1, 1939

Germany invades Poland, inciting Poland’s allies Britain and France to declare war on Germany.

SOVIET UNION INVADES POLAND

Sep 17, 1939

Working in concert with Hitler, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin orders the invasion of Poland, securing a share of Polish territory.

WARSAW CAPTURED

Sep 27, 1939

Warsaw surrenders to German troops. Poland holds out for another 9 days before capitulating.

UK WINS WAR’S FIRST SEA BATTLE

Dec 13, 1939

British cruisers defeat a German pocket battleship at the Battle of the River Plate, the first major naval engagement of World War II.

NORWAY INVADED

Apr 8, 1940

Germany invades Norway, ending a 6-month period of limited land operations called the “Phony War.”

CHURCHILL BECOMES PRIME MINISTER

May 10, 1940

Winston Churchill replaces Neville Chamberlain as British Prime Minister. The same day, Germany invades Belgium.

MIRACLE OF DUNKIRK

Jun 4, 1940

The trapped British army evacuates to England from Dunkirk, France, surviving to fight another day.

PARIS FALLS TO NAZIS

Jun 14, 1940

Paris falls to German forces. France capitulates 11 days later.

BRITAIN FIGHTS FOR ITS LIFE

Oct 31, 1940

The Battle of Britain pits German bombers against British fighters in a thwarted German prelude to invasion.

U.S. PLUNGED INTO WAR

Dec 7, 1941

Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, starting war with the US. Sensing weakness, Hitler declares war on America 4 days later.