Chronology of World War II
Surviving paratroopers evacuated
Monday, September 25, 1944 www.onwar.com

Injured British paratrooper from ArnhemOn the Western Front... Operation Market Garden ends. The remnants of the British 1st Airborne Division are evacuated from the north bank of the Rhine. During the night, 2400 of the 10,000 men are removed. About 1100 have been killed and 6400 captured by German forces. A few are sheltered by Dutch families. Meanwhile, other elements of British 2nd Army capture Helmond and Deurne, a few miles east of Eindhoven. On the Channel coast, the Canadian 3rd Division (an element of Canadian 1st Army) attacks the German garrison trapped in Calais.

From London... Allied propaganda exhorts the estimated 12 million foreign workers and slave laborers in Germany to rebel.

In Berlin... Hitler orders the formation of Volksturm (citizen militia) units to assist in the defense of Germany.

On the Eastern Front... In Estonia, Soviet forces capture the Baltic port of Haapsalu.

In Occupied Yugoslavia... Partisan forces occupy Banja Luka.

In the Palau Islands... On Peleliu, US forces employing flamethrowers and tanks advance in the north of the island toward Mount Amiangal. On Angaur, pockets of Japanese resistance persist near Lake Salome.


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.