Chronology of World War II
Oradour-sur-Glane Massacre
Saturday, June 10, 1944 www.onwar.com

In Occupied France... A detachment of the German 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich kills 642 inhabitants of the village Oradour-sur-Glane, near Limoges. The dead include about 200 women and children burned to death in the church.

On the Western Front... Field Marshal Montgomery establishes 21st Army Group headquarters in Normandy, France. The Utah and Omaha beaches are linked up by an advance of the US 2nd Armored Division (part of 5th Corps). The US 101st Airborne Division continues to be engaged around Carentan. On the left, elements of British 30th Corps are heavily engaged. The 7th Armored Division battles the German Panzerlehr Division near Tilly-sur-Seulles.

In Italy... British 8th Army forces advance along the Adriatic coast. Elements of 5th Corps (Keightley) capture Pescara and Chieti. Inland, the New Zealand 2nd Division penetrates into Avezzano where fighting continues.

In the Dutch East Indies... In a diversionary action, British aircraft from Illustrious and Atheling raid Japanese positions on Sabang. The intent is to distract Japanese attention from American forces approaching the Mariana Islands.

On the Eastern Front... To the north of Leningrad, the Soviet 23rd Army (Cherepanov), part of the Leningrad Front, launches attacks against Finnish positions on the Karelian Isthmus. Terijoki and Yalkena are captured.


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.