Chronology of World War II
Germans capture Lyons, Vichy
Thursday, June 20, 1940 www.onwar.com

French soldiers are lead into captivity by German guardsOn the Western Front... Lyons and Vichy are captured.

In the Norwegian Sea... The German battle cruiser Gneisenau is seriously damaged in a torpedo attack by the British submarine Clyde off Trondheim.

In France... The French delegation sets out for the armistice talks which are to be held at Compiegne in the same railroad carriage and on the same site as the negotiations which ended World War I.

In Washington... President Roosevelt strengthens his Cabinet by bringing in two prominent Republicans. Henry Stimson becomes Secretary for War and Frank Knox becomes Secretary for the Navy. Stimson is strongly against America's isolationist tradition and will be a champion of Lend-Lease.

In Tallin... Estonia meets Soviet demands for a new government and territorial adjustments.
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.