Chronology of World War II

Thursday, February 1, 1940

The Winter War... The Soviets initiate attacks against the Mannerheim Line, especially in the Summa area. There is an extensive preliminary bombardment to add to the artillery efforts of the past two weeks. The Soviet 7th and 13th Armies have 14 divisions and six tank brigades in the advance, with strong reserves. The Finnish 3rd Division, holding the line in the Summa area, takes much of the weight. During this round of attacks (which continues until February 8th) there is no attempt at a breakthrough by the Soviets but almost continuous heavy pressure is maintained.

In Tokyo... A record budget is presented to the Japanese Diet. Almost half is to be devoted to military expenditure. Meanwhile, Japan makes a diplomatic protest to Britain concerning the removal of 21 German nationals from the liner Asama Maru by British forces of the HMS Gloucester and demands they be returned. (The Asama Maru incident of January 21st.)

From Yenan... The Chinese Communist Mao Tse-tung calls for the US to stand firm against Japan.

Friday, February 2, 1940

In Belgrade... The Balkan Entente Conference begins and includes a proclamation by the neutral states of Yugoslavia, Greece, Romania and Turkey declaring a common interest in maintaining peace in southeastern Europe and the renewal of the pact.

The Winter War... The Finnish army succeeds in holding the Soviet attack on the Mannerheim Line.

Saturday, February 3, 1940

In the North Atlantic... Off the eastern coast of Britain, about 20 German bombers attack shipping, sinking 2 ships and losing 3 aircraft.

The Winter War... Finnish forces continue to hold the Soviet assault on the Mannerheim Line.

Sunday, February 4, 1940

In Belgrade... The Balkan Entente indicate they will remain neutral in the war between Britain, France and Germany.

In the North Sea... The minesweeper HMS Sphinx sinks a day after being bombed by German aircraft.

The Winter War... Fourteen are killed and 179 injured in heavy Soviet air raids on Helsinki and the surrounding area. A total of 141 targets (towns, rail junctions, harbors) are attacked.

Monday, February 5, 1940

From Paris... The Supreme War Council of the British and French allies decides to intervene in Norway and send help (in the form of aircraft and guns) to Finland. They plan to begin with landings at Narvik and three other towns on or about March 20th. They are relying on the Norwegians and Swedes acquiescing and doing nothing to maintain their neutrality. By comparison with the contemporary, meticulous German plans, these Allied preparations are vague and irresolute. The pretext of going to help Finland is unconvincing and it is the obvious intention to devote most effort to stopping the Swedish iron ore reaching Germany.

In the Netherlands... General Reynders, the Dutch commander-in-chief, resigns over the lack of military preparedness in Holland.

In the North Atlantic... The British destroyer HMS Antelope sinks a U-boat in the south-western approaches to Britain.

In the United States... The US Maritime Commission announces that Britain and France are buying 113,000 tonnes of old American cargo ships.

Tuesday, February 6, 1940

In Britain... At Euston Station, in London, a parcel bomb injures 4 people. Members of the IRA are reported to be responsible.

From London... The government produces a white paper on the Asamu Maru incident (January 21st). Also, pressure from the admiralty leads to new guidelines for BBC war reporting being agreed upon at Broadcasting House. From now on, the sinking of a small ship may be mentioned only once in a BBC news bulletin. Larger ships, like the Canadian Pacific freighter Beaverburn, sunk today, can be mentioned in consecutive bulletins. There is concern that the rising effectiveness of German U-boats, combined with zealous reporting, will give the impression that British losses are even greater than they are. Meanwhile, a nationwide campaign is launched to end war gossip, under the slogan "Careless Talk Costs Lives."

Wednesday, February 7, 1940

In the North Atlantic... In the Irish Sea, the Irish passenger-mail ship Munster is sunk by a mine.

In Britain... IRA members, Barnes and Richards, are executed at Winson Green Prison, Birmingham. They were sentenced to death on December 11, 1939 at the "Coventry Explosion" trial for the murder of 5 people in Coventry on August 25, 1939.

Thursday, February 8, 1940

The Winter War... The Finns are very tired and their artillery is running short of ammunition. Throughout this period (of Soviet attacks beginning on February 1st) the diplomatic exchanges via Sweden continue, but achieve nothing in the face of Soviet refusals to modify their terms.

In Paris... Police raid the Soviet Press Agency and discover that it is being used as a front for pro-German propoganda.

On the Western Front... Two French soldiers capture a German patrol in Forbach Woods. One of the soldiers, Joseph Darnand, later heads the Vichy French secret police (January 10, 1943).

In the United States... "Harry Sawyer" (Sebold) arrives in New York to lead a German spy network in the USA. His special equipment includes "microdots". (Sebold is a double agent, working for the FBI).

Friday, February 9, 1940

From Washington... Sumner Welles, US Under-Secretary of State, is to visit the belligerent countries in Europe with the aim of trying to negotiate a peace settlement.

From Berlin... General Manstein is appointed to command the German 33rd Corps. Although this promotion is well deserved it seems that the German Army High Command hopes to shift Manstein to a less influential post than his present appointment as Chief of Staff to Rundstedt at Army Group A. He has had considerable influence in policy making and has been the leading figure arguing for a radical change in the plans for the attack on the west.

In Ireland... A bill allowing for the detention of IRA members without trial becomes law.

In Turkey... The government dismisses 80 German technical advisers.

In Britain... German destroyers lay mines in The Wash, on the British east coast during the night (February 9-10).

The Winter War... Finns hold Soviet attacks around Summa.

Saturday, February 10, 1940

The Winter War... A force of Soviet ski troops begin an unsuccessful attempt to advance against the Finnish defenses which continues until February 13th. This force is wiped out.

In Washington... President Roosevelt condemns the USSR, saying the US backs Finland.

In Britain... The first magnetic mine is swept, by the HMS Salve and HMS Servitor, off a sunken lightship.

In Prague... Nazi authorities order the closing of all Jewish-owned textile, clothing and leather goods stores and warn the Baron von Neurath, the German Reich Protector of Bohemia-Moravia, may order all other Jewish business to shut. Neurath has also ordered the sale of all jewellry, gold, platinum, silver and works of art owned by Jews. The measures are seen as part of a plan to eliminate Jews from the economic life of former Czechoslovakia.

On the Western Front... A French communique reads: Rien à signaler. (Nothing to report.)

In Spain... Six German merchant ships leave Vigo to run the blockade. Allied warships intercept 4, 1 runs aground off northern Norway and 1 (Wangoni) reaches Kiel.

In The Hague... The Dutch government announces the decision to build 3 battlecruisers (with technical assistance from Italy) for the defense of the Dutch East Indies. (The ships are never completed.)

Sunday, February 11, 1940

The Winter War... Intense fighting on the Karelian front begins as the Red Army launches what is to become the decisive assault on the Mannerheim Line. About 120,000 Soviet troops attack along a 12-mile front, a massive concentration of seven men per yard. The Soviet 123rd Division (an element of the Soviet 7th Army) succeeds in breaking into the Finnish defenses near Summa. Finns launch desperate counterattacks.

In Berlin... The Germans and Soviets sign further trade and economic agreement. The Soviets will supply raw materials, especially oil and food, in return for manufactured products of all kinds, including arms.

In Montreal... The Governor-General of Canada, Lord Tweedsmuir (well-known as the author John Buchan) dies after surgery for a head injury at age 64.

Monday, February 12, 1940

In Egypt... The first echelon (4th Brigade) of the New Zealand Division and the Australian Imperial Force arrive at Suez.

In the North Sea... The sloop HMS Gleaner sinks a U-boat (U-33) in the Firth of Clyde. German naval Enigma cipher machine rotors are recovered.

In the North Atlantic... As part of an operation to intercept 6 German merchant vessels, the destroyer HMS Hasty captures the Morea in the Atlantic and the cruiser HMS Glasgow captures a trawler off Tromso, Norway.

In Britain... Paper rationing is introduced, with supplies cut by 40 percent.

The Winter War... A counterattack late in the day by the Finnish 5th Division fails to expel the Soviet forces from their hold on the Summa position. It becomes apparent the Karelian defense line will not hold.

In Helsinki... In the diplomatic negotiations the Soviets raise their terms a little further to match their growing military success. The Finnish cabinet now favors peace and authorizes moves to end the war against the USSR. At the same time, Finland requests aid from Sweden (which Stockholm rejects).

Tuesday, February 13, 1940

In the South Atlantic... The British cruiser HMS Dorsetshire intercepts the German blockade runner Wakama which is scuttled near Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian government formally protests the British action.

From London... The British government imposes strict controls over the railway network but continues to allow private ownership and operation of the railways. A Labour Party proposal to nationalize all forms of inland and coastal transport is defeated in a House of Commons vote.

Wednesday, February 14, 1940

From London... The British government announces that all British merchant ships in the North Sea will be armed. In addition, it will allow British citizens to volunteer for the Finnish Foreign Legion.

In Britain... IRA operatives plant five bombs in Birmingham. Two shops are damaged.

In the North Sea... A Hudson of Coastal Command locates the German supply ship Altmark in Norwegian waters.

In the Vatican... Rationing is introduced.

From Helsinki... The Finnish Note (circularized to many foreign governments) accuses the USSR of adopting illegal methods of warfare, including indiscriminate bombing of unprotected towns, hospitals and railway trains and abuse of the white flag (some Soviet troops having feigned surrender before attacking).

Thursday, February 15, 1940

From Berlin... In reply to the British governments announcement that British merchant ships in the North Sea will be armed, the German government announces that all such ships will be treated as warships. U-boat commanders are ordered attack without warning any ship which is likely to come under British control. This directive means that any neutral ship sailing towards a British-controlled war zone -- such as the English Channel, can be attacked without warning. Any ship following a zig-zag course is also liable to be sunk without warning.

In Norway... The German prison ship Altmark is sighted in Norwegian waters.

The Winter War... The Soviets capture Summa. Finnish forces are ordered to retire from the Mannerheim Line to their intermediate position.

Friday, February 16, 1940

In Norway... Acting on instructions from Churchill, the British destroyer Cossack (Captain Vian) enters Norwegian territorial waters and removes 299 British prisoners from the German transport Altmark. The ship entered Norwegian waters on February 14th and, according to international law the prisoners should have been released. Altmark's captain denied that he is carrying prisoners. The Norwegians made no real attempt to search and in fact provided a torpedo boat as escort. The British action is also contrary to international law and although very popular at home, it serves to convince the Germans that the British are contemplating sterner measures against Norway. This gives further impetus to the German plans for an invasion.

In Stockholm... The Swedish government refuses the Finnish appeal for right of passage of foreign troops and direct military assistance.

Saturday, February 17, 1940

In Britain... The government plans to evacuate 400,000 children from the larger cities to rural areas.

In Germany... General Manstein visits Hitler and discusses with him the plan for the armored attack through the Ardennes which Manstein has devised. Hitler has been thinking along these lines himself and is very impressed with Manstein's work.

In Oslo... Strong British, Norwegian and German protest notes are exchanged over the Altmark incident.

The Winter War... The Soviet advance has completely cleared the Mannerheim Line. All the Finnish defenders are now established in their second line of defense. The Finnish 23rd Division, brought forward from the reserve, has been slow to arrive because of air attacks. The Red Army has assembled 35 divisions (organized under General Semyon Timoshenko) and the Finns, with 15 depleted divisions, are now on the defensive.

From Washington... President Roosevelt sends Sumner Welles, Under-Secretary of State, on a "fact-finding" tour of Europe and appoints Myron C. Taylor as his "personal representative" to the Vatican.

In the United States... United States Lines sells the liner President Harding and seven cargo ships to a Belgian concern in an attempt to circumvent the ban on US sea borne trade with Europe, imposed by the Neutrality Act.

Sunday, February 18, 1940

In the North Atlantic... The German battle cruisers Gneisenau, Scharnhorst and the pocket battleship Admiral Hipper make an unsuccessful sortie against the "HN" convoy route between Britain and Scandinavia as part of Operation Nordmark. German U-boats providing escort for the capital ships, however, sink 12 merchant ships and the British destroyer HMS Daring.

From London... The British government presses Norway to intern the Altmark.

From Washington... The American Secretary of State, Cordell Hull, applies the American "moral embargo" to the USSR.

In Paris... The French government agrees to allow the reconstitution of the Polish air force on French soil.

On the Western Front... A German infantry detachment, with heavy mortar support, makes an unsuccessful raid on a French outpost near the Moselle River.

In China... Japanese forces engaged in the city of Nanning are compelled withdraw after heavy fighting.

Monday, February 19, 1940

The Winter War... The Finnish intermediate defense line is broken in some places by Soviet tank attacks.

From Stockholm... King Gustav announces his support for his government's decision to refuse Finland military aid. He says: "from the first hour I informed Finland that she unfortunately could not count on military intervention from Sweden."

In Berlin... Hitler orders more rapid progress with Operation Weserubung, the codename for the invasion of Norway and Denmark.

Tuesday, February 20, 1940

The Winter War... Finnish forces defeat Soviet forces attacking across the frozen Taipale River.

From Moscow... The Soviet government offers fresh peace talks to Finland.

Wednesday, February 21, 1940

In Berlin... The preparations for an attack on Norway move forward another stage with the appointment of General Falkenhorst to command. He has been selected by the Armed Forces High Command (OKW) without consulting the Army High Command (OKH).

The Winter War... Blizzards hamper the Soviet offensive operations in the Karelian Isthmus.

In London... The government Treasury announces a token defense estimate of 100 pounds for the Army, Navy and Air Force for 1940. The actual figures are concealed for security reasons. Emergency measures to deal with a coal shortage arising from the severe winter weather includes a drastic reduction of passenger train services.

In Britain... The first successful test of the cavity magnetron at Birmingham University provides an important advance in the development of short-wave radar.

In Occupied Poland... The Inspectorate of Concentration Camps reports to Himmler that Auschwitz Camp, in "Incorporated Territories" of Poland, is suitable for use as a "quarantine center."

Thursday, February 22, 1940

The Winter War... The Soviets begin to occupy the islands in the Gulf of Finland. The Finns evacuate Koivisto after blowing up the coast-defense guns there. Meanwhile, the 34th Moscow Tank Brigade, encircled near Kitelae, on the Ladoga front, eats the last of its packhorses and must now survive on starvation rations and biscuits and rusks dropped from Soviet aircraft.

In the North Sea... German He111 bombers attack two German destroyers, by mistake, off the Frisian Islands. The ships blunder into a British minefield and sink.

In Britain... An IRA bomb explodes in Oxford Street, London (7 people are seriously injured). This is the last major incident in an IRA bombing campaign against mainland Britain, begun on January 16, 1939.

In Tibet... The six-year-old Dalai Lama, Jampel Ngawang Lobsang Yishey Tenzing Gyatso (Tender Glory, Mighty in Speech, Excellent Intellect, Absolute Wisdom, Holding to the Doctrine and Ocean-Wide) is enthroned at Lhasa.

Friday, February 23, 1940

In Britain... In a victory parade celebrating the destruction of the German pocket battleship Graf Spee in the battle of the River Plate, 700 officers and men of the cruisers HMS Ajax and HMS Exeter march through cheering crowds to Guildhall in London.

Over Occupied Czechoslovakia... During the night (February 23-24), RAF bombers conduct a leaflet reconnaissance raid on Prague.

From Helsinki... Finland repeats its request to Sweden and Norway to grant transit rights for foreign troops.

In the Faeroe Islands... The destroyer HMS Gurkha sinks a U-boat.

Saturday, February 24, 1940

From Berlin... Revised orders for the attack in the west are issued. OKH has been conducting exercises throughout the winter and especially in the early days of this month because of dissatisfaction with the attack plan. Following Manstein's conversation with Hitler on March 17th and an OKH presentation to him on the 18th it has been decided to revise the plans to emphasize the role of Army Group A and an attack through the Ardennes. As far as technique goes the plans are fairly traditional. The emphasis is still not yet fully on the possibilities of the panzer advance. Rundstedt and Bock, who will be the principal commanders are, despite their considerable abilities, wedded to the conventional infantry-based ideas. Although the direction of the attack is certainly bold, the old school see early problems when it becomes necessary to cross the Meuse River. The tank enthusiasts, like Guderian, are more concerned about exploiting the advance after the crossing.

In Copenhagen... A Scandinavian neutrality conference is held by the attending foreign ministers.

In Rome... Germany and Italy sign a trade agreement giving the Italians an increased coal supply.

Sunday, February 25, 1940

In Britain... The first squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) arrives in Britain.

In Copehagen... The Scandinavian foreign ministers reaffirm their countries' neutrality.

In Rome... The American envoy Sumner Welles arrives at the start of his European peace mission.

In the North Atlantic... The Royal Navy ships Escort, Imogen and Inglefield and the submarine Narwhal sink a German U-boat off northwest Scotland.

Monday, February 26, 1940

The Winter War... After the failure of counterattacks against the Soviet penetrations, the Finnish command orders their forces to retreat to their third, final line of defense.

In Britain... The war office announces that northern Scotland is to become out of bounds for unauthorized people from March 11th. Meanwhile, the liner Queen Elizabeth (83,700 t.) leaves Clydebank with a skeleton crew on a secret maiden voyage to Halifx, Nova Scotia and New York. She is equipped with giant electric "de-gaussing" cable, to neutralize magnetic mines.

In Paris... Anti-aircraft guns drive Luftwaffe reconnaissance planes away from the city.

In Rome... Sumner Welles meets Mussolini and his son-in-law Count Galeazzo Ciano, the foreign minister.

Tuesday, February 27, 1940

In Britain... Churchill claims half of the German U-boat strength has been destroyed. Meanwhile, the first British volunteers leave to aid the Finnish forces.

In Oslo... Norway refuses the Finnish request for transit rights for foreign troops.

In Stockholm... Sweden refuses the Finnish request for transit rights for foreign troops.

The Winter War... Towards evening General Mannerheim orders the Finnish army to evacuate the second defensive line.

Wednesday, February 28, 1940

The Winter War... The Finns retire in the Viipuri area. Meanwhile, Finns storm the entrenched camp of the starving 34th Moscow Tank Brigade near Kitelae, capturing 105 tanks, 200 trucks and field cars.

In Palestine... The British government limits the acquisition of Arab land by Jews.

In Germany... Germany closes factories unnecessary for the war effort.

In Berlin... The Nazi propaganda minister, Dr. Goebbels, tells neutral countries to "curb their public opinion" and warns Sweden against aiding Finland.

In Britain... The first of a new class of battleship, HMS King George V, is launched.

In the North Atlantic... Divers recover three rotors from the Enigma enciphering machine on board the scuttled U-33.

In China... Communist troops retake Anding, near Yenan, from the Japanese.

Thursday, February 29, 1940

The Winter War... The battle of Viipuri. Soviet forces launch an all-out effort to crush resistance in the Karelian Isthmus by encircling the city of Viipuri and reaching the Viipuri-Helsinki highway.

In Helsinki... The Finns decide that they must give in to the Soviet demands but their note to that effect is not sent immediately because of British and French reactions to the news. The French government has become deeply committed to a policy of supporting Finland and persuades the British to join in making rash promises that cannot possibly be kept.

In Japan... Britain returns 9 of the 21 Germans removed from the Asama Maru (on January 21st) after Tokyo agrees not to transport German military reservists attempting to return home.

In the West Indies... The destroyer HMS Despatch intercepts the German merchant ship Troja off Aruba. The ship is scuttled by her German crew.

In Uruguay... The wreck of the scuttled German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee is sold to a local company for scrap.