Chronology of World War II
German raids damage airfields
Friday, August 16, 1940 www.onwar.com
A newsstand vendor posts the latest tallies in the air battle over Britain. The kill ratios were usually exaggerated by both sides.

Over Britain... The Luftwaffe flies 1715 sorties and the RAF 776. In the fighting the Germans lose 45 planes and the British 21 in the air and a number on the ground. Among the targets attacked by the Germans are several Fighter Command airfields and these are quite heavily damaged. 

In Berlin... Hitler intervenes in the quarrel between his army and naval staffs as to whether the invasion of Britain should be conducted on a broad front, as the army prefers or the narrow front more suited to naval limitations. He orders them to reach a compromise. The army has previously talked of using 40 divisions in the first three days of the operation, but now consider using 13.

Over Italy... The RAF sends attacks against Fiat works in Turin and the Caproni works in Milan.

In Washington... Roosevelt announces that there have been conversations with the UK on the acquisition of bases for western hemisphere defense. He does not disclose as yet that Britain wants some old US destroyers in return.

In East Africa... In British Somaliland the British forces begin to embark at Berbera for evacuation to Aden.


This chronological study of the Second World War provides a comprehensive day-by-day account of WWII. While focused on the military history of the war, with an emphasis on the battles and campaigns fought, the timeline includes social and political history as well. Some Holocaust related events are already recorded and additional updates are pending. In so far as possible, the images included in this presentation are pictures from the given days. Additional information and images are welcome through the feedback form found on the index.