Chronology of World War II
Churchill pays tribute to fighter pilots
Tuesday, August 20, 1940 www.onwar.com

Fighter Command pilots resting between sortiesFrom London... Churchill produces another of his famous fighting speeches. His message is a tribute to the RAF fighter pilots: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." In addition, and of more concrete importance to the course of the war, is an official announcement that bases will be leased to the United States.


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.