Chronology of World War II

Sunday, June 1, 1941

In the Mediterranean... Near Crete, the cruiser Calcutta is sunk by German aircraft during the evacuation operations. Altogether 18,600 men are taken off but casualties and prisoners in the battle for the island amount to another 15,000 from the land forces and 2000 from the navy. About 600 more men will escape later. The largest groups of prisoners are the 5000 men who are captured when the Germans take Sfakia on this day and the garrison of Retimo who do not receive evacuation instructions. The British forces lose three cruisers and six destroyers. In addition two battleships, one carrier and numerous cruisers and destroyers have been damaged. The Germans admit casualties of 7000 from their force -- a very high proportion of them deaths. Hitler decides that such large-scale airborne operations should not be repeated even though the result has been a brilliant success.

In Iraq... British forces enter Baghdad. Regent Emir Abdul Illah, the uncle of King Faisal, returns to the country.

In North Africa... Air Marshal Tedder takes command of the RAF forces in the Middle East. The majority of the German 15th Panzer Division has now joined Rommel's force.

In the North Atlantic... The US Coastguard begins patrol operations off the southern Greenland coast. Only four ships are involved at this stage.

In Britain... It is announced that measures for clothes rationing are being prepared.

Monday, June 2, 1941

In North Africa... Vichy France grants the Axis powers the use of the port of Bizerta for unloading non-military supplies for their forces stationed in North Africa.

Tuesday, June 3, 1941

In Iraq... British forces enter Mosul. A few German pilots are captured.

Wednesday, June 4, 1941

In Occupied Holland... The former Kaiser of imperial Germany, Wilhelm II, dies at home in Doorn, aged 82.

In Iraq... A new Iraqi Cabinet is formed under British auspices. British forces are now moving through the country establishing control of key points. Some of the British troops will be ready to move into Syria later in the month.

Thursday, June 5, 1941

In China... A Japanese air raid on Chungking results in 700 Chinese being entombed and suffocated in a tunnel shelter.

In Washington... The US Army Bill for 1942 is introduced into Congress. It calls for appropriations amounting to $10,400,000,000.

In the Mediterranean... The British submarine Taku sinks 3 Italian ships in a gun battle off the coast of Libya.

Friday, June 6, 1941

In East Africa... Commonwealth forces cross the Omo River, capturing 2000 Italians and 14 guns.

In Washington... A new law comes into force allowing the government to take over foreign ships laid up in the United States.

In the Mediterranean... The carriers Ark Royal and Furious again carry a cargo of Hurricanes from Gibraltar to within flying distance of Malta.

Saturday, June 7, 1941

In Egypt... A night raid on Alexandria leaves 230 killed.

Sunday, June 8, 1941

In Syria... At 0200 hours British and Free French forces invade Syria. The British have been increasingly worried by reports of a German presence in Syria in recent weeks. In fact, all German military personnel have now left at the request of Vichy authorities. The attacking force is commanded by General Wilson and includes 7th Australian Division, 4th Indian Brigade and Free French units (including Circassian cavalry, under Col. Collet, in the vanguard of the Free French forces). The defending Vichy forces consist of 45,000 men under the command of General Dentz. The Allied force advances along several lines from positions in Palestine and Transjordan. There is little resistance at first. General Catroux, who has been appointed by General de Gaulle to head the Free French forces, issues a proclamation calling optimistically for Dentz and his men to change sides. The British announce that they seek no territorial gains.

In Egypt... In response to the threat of air raids on Alexandria, the evacuation of about 40,000 people begins.

Tuesday, June 9, 1941

In Syria... The Allied advance continues to make good progress. Tyre, Marjayoun and El Quneitra are all taken in the advance from Palestine. In the drive from Transjordan Dera'a is taken. There is a naval battle off the Syrian coast between forces which eventually include four British and two Vichy destroyers. The French are forced to retire but inflict some damage. A commando raid fails to take an important bridge over the Litani River.

Tuesday, June 10, 1941

In Syria... Australian forces advancing along the coast north of Tyre begin improvising crossings over the Litani River.

In East Africa... An Indian battalion lands and captures Assab, the last Red Sea port held by the Italians. There is fighting southwest of Addis Ababa near Galla Sidamo.

Wednesday, June 11, 1941

Over Britain... Numerous German Luftwaffe raids, on targets in England, are carried out during the night. Leaflets are dropped over rural areas of East Anglia threatening starvation as a consequence of a German victory in the battle of the Atlantic.

Over Germany... British RAF Bomber Command launches the first in a series of 20 consecutive nighttime raids on the Ruhr industrial area, the Rhineland, Hamburg and Bremen.

In the Dutch East Indies... Trade negotiations with Japan are broken off because the Dutch are unwilling to accept the Japanese demands for raw materials.

Thursday, June 12, 1941

In the North Atlantic... The German pocket battleship, Lutzow, is damaged by a torpedo attack from a British Beaufort aircraft off the coast of southern Norway. The Lutzow returns to port at Kiel and undergoes repairs until January 1942.

In Germany... The Berlin civil defense authority warns the population to take immediate shelter during air raids because of the danger posed by heavy high-explosive bombs and mines, noting that failure to do so has caused "a great number of bomb victims."

In London... Allied governments and representatives from the British sponsored European governments in exile pledge mutual assistance and to not conclude any separate peace treaties with the Axis alliance.

Friday, June 13, 1941

In Vichy France... The Vichy government announces that more than 12,000 Jews have been arrested and are being "interned" in concentration camps because of a "Jewish plot" to hinder Franco-German cooperation. The anti-Semitic laws in Vichy are being extended to include the expropriation of Jewish-owned businesses without compensation.

In Syria... On the coast the Australian forces begin attacks around Sidon.

In the Soviet Union... The news agency Tass issues an official denial that there is tension between Germany and the USSR. It states that "there could be no misunderstanding between the two countries."

Saturday, June 14, 1941

From Washington... President Roosevelt freezes all German and Italian assets in the United States.

In the Mediterranean... The carriers Ark Royal and Victorious fly another cargo of Hurricanes to Malta. Of the 47 sent 43 arrive.

Sunday, June 15, 1941

In North Africa... A major British offensive, Operation Battleaxe, begins. The aim is to relieve Tobruk. Wavell is still reluctant to attack, largely because the tanks which recently arrived on the Operation Tiger convoy have had many mechanical faults and the time taken for repairs means that the troops have had a very short training period. Although the two divisions involved, 4th Indian and 7th Armored, are both experience formations, they are not at full strength and have been further weakened by changes in command. General Noel Beresford-Pierse is in charge of the attack. Three columns are sent forward, one to Halfaya Pass, one to Fort Capuzzo along the edge of the escarpment and one inland to Hafid Ridge. The attack of Matilda tanks is beaten off at Halfaya by the emplaced 88mm guns, and without tank support the infantry there can achieve nothing. A force of lighter cruiser tanks similarly loses heavily at Hafid Ridge. Some success is achieved at Capuzzo, however. The German radio intelligence gives them excellent tactical information and their dispositions of 5th Light forward and 15th Panzer watching Tobruk are more than adequate. On the whole Rommel is content to defend on the first day and, indeed, by the end of the day the British tank losses already leave them at a disadvantage.

In Syria... A counterattack by the Vichy French forces succeeds in retaking part of the town of Marjayoun and some nearby positions. However, both to the west on the coast, where Sidon is taken by Austrialian forces and to the east in the approaches to Damascus, where Kiswe falls, the Allied advance is still going well.

Monday, June 16, 1941

In North Africa... Nominally the British attack continues but the initiative has passed to the Germans. The British 7th Armored Brigade loses heavily in a running battle with the German 5th Light Division while 4th Indian Division has to fight hard to hold off 15th Panzer Division. Halfaya remains in German hands.

In Syria... The Vichy French counterattacks continue. El Quneitra is retaken.

From Washington... President Roosevelt orders that all German and Italian consulates in the country should be closed, along with the offices of other German agencies.

Tuesday, June 17, 1941

In North Africa... Rommel attempts to move his tanks forces together early in the day to threaten the now-weakened British armor guarding the inland flank. After some confusion the whole British force begins to withdraw and Wavell is left to signal the failure of Operation Battleaxe to Churchill.

In Syria... Australian troops take Jezzine, just inland from Sidon. The Habforce group, which had an important role in the fighting in Iraq and is now made up of a cavalry brigade and some small infantry units, is ordered to begin an advance from Iraq due west along the main oil pipeline leading to Palmyra.

In Berlin... Hitler decides that the attack on the Soviet Union will commence on June 22, 1941.

In Iceland... A regent is appointed.

Wednesday, June 18, 1941

In Ankara... A German-Turkish treaty of friendship for 10 years is concluded by the Turkish government and the German ambassador, Von Papen.

Thursday, June 19, 1941

In Syria... There is heavy fighting just outside Damascus (June 19-20th) at Mezze where the Vichy French forces manage to cut off and eventually eliminate an Indian battalion.

From Rome... In retaliation for the closing of all Italian consulates in the United States, similar action is taken by Italy with respect to American consulates.

From Berlin... In retaliation for the closing of all German consulates and offices of other German agencies in the USA, similar action is taken by Germany with respect American consulates and offices.

Friday, June 20, 1941

In the North Atlantic... A German U-boat sights the American battleship Texas within the area that Germany has declared is the operational area for U-boats. However, after checking with the U-boat command, the Texas is not attacked.

In Finland... All reservists under the age of 45 are called up.

Saturday, June 21, 1941

In Syria... Damascus falls to the Allied forces after the Vichy French garrison has been evacuated. Habforce begins to advance into Syria from Iraq.

In East Africa... British forces take Jimma, southwest of Addis Ababa. About 15,000 prisoners are taken. Although Jimma has been General Gazzera's main base, he escapes capture with a small part of his force. A further 4000 prisoners were taken earlier after an action at crossings of the Omo River, and many more were rounded up in smaller groups.

Sunday, June 22, 1941

On the Eastern Front... Operation Barbarossa, the German attack on the Soviet Union, begins. Despite the massive preparations spread over many months and the numerous indications Stalin receives from many sources, the Soviet forces are taken almost completely by surprise and lose very heavily in the first encounters. The Germans have assembled almost 140 of their own divisions, including 17 Panzer and 13 motorized divisions. These forces are organized in three army groups: Army Group North (Field Marshal Leeb), Army Group Center (Field Marshal Bock) and Army Group South (Field Marshal Rundstedt). Altogether, the Germans deploy over 3,000,000 men, 7100 guns, 3300 tanks, 625,000 horses and 2770 aircraft. The Red Army has 230 divisions (170 of which are in the west, 134 facing the Germans). The Soviet forces are organized into Northwest Front (Kuznetsov), West Front (Pavlov), Southwest Front (Kirpono) and South Front (Tyulenev). They include 24,000 tanks and 8000 aircraft. On the first day of the attack almost everything goes the German way. The attack begins at 0300 hours with advances on the ground and simultaneous air strikes. The Luftwaffe begins its operations very early in order to be over the Soviet bases exactly at zero hour. By noon the Soviet Air Force has lost around 1200 planes. The land battle is equally successful. The panzer spearhead Army Group North advances 40 miles during the day and Army Group Center captures most of the Bug River bridges intact. Army Group South forces based in Hungary and Romania do not attack during the day.

From London... Churchill broadcasts saying that help will be given to the Soviet Union. He says, "Any state who fights Nazism will have our aid... It follows therefore that we shall give whatever help we can to Russia."

In Syria... There is heavy fighting in and around Marjayoun (June 22-29th) in which the Australians eventually drive the Vichy French forces into retreat.

Monday, June 23, 1941

On the Eastern Front... The German offensive continues to make astonishing progress, spearheaded by the armored and motorized forces. In the north Panzer Group 4 (Hoeppner) has advanced almost 50 miles. Panzer Group 3 (Hoth) forces have captured bridges over the Niemen River. Panzer Group 2 (Guderian) tanks have made deep penetrations on either side of Brest Litovsk. Panzer Group 1 (Kleist) has made some ground also but the Soviet defense in their southern front is stronger. The Luftwaffe continues to batter the Red Air Force and disrupt the already exiguous Soviet communications.

In Syria... The advance of the British force from Iraq reaches Palmyra but the Vichy French garrison holds out.

In the North Atlantic... The largest convoy battle to date begins around HX-133. Ten U-boats are concentrated to attack the convoy, which at first has four escorts.

Tuesday, June 24, 1941

On the Eastern Front... The German attacks continue to make rapid gains. In the Baltics, Kaunas is captured as is Vilna, farther east, by forces of Panzer Group 3 (left flank of Army Group Center). Farther south, the Soviet garrison of the fortress town of Brest-Litovsk, which is now far behind the front line, is assaulted by forces of German 4th Army (right flank of Army Group Center).

In Washington... At a press conference President Roosevelt announces that he intends to send aid to the USSR.

Wednesday, June 25, 1941

On the Eastern Front... The forces of Soviet West Front (Pavlov), principally deployed in the Bialystok salient and containing forces of the Soviet 3rd Army (Kuznetsov) southwest of Grodno and 10th Army (Golubev) west of Bialystok as well as 4th Army (Korobkov) to the south of the salient, are threatened by a double envelopment by the infantry of the German 9th and 4th Armies (of Army Group Center) marching from the north and south. In response, Pavlov orders all front and army reserves forward, west of Minsk. In the evening, German 47th Panzer Corps (part of Panzer Group 2) cuts the main route from Bialystok to the east, between Wolkowysk and Slonim, isolating the Soviet 3rd and 10th Armies in the Bialystok salient.

In Stockholm... The Swedish government announces that it will allow the Germans to move forces up to one-division strong through Sweden from Norway to Finland.

Thursday, June 26, 1941

On the Eastern Front... In the north Daugavpils is taken in the German advance and Panzer Group 4 forces begin working to take bridgeheads over the Dvina River. In the advance of Army Group Center, forces of Panzer Group 3 are 18 miles from Minsk by midday.

From Helsinki... Finland declares war on the USSR.

In the Mediterranean... In two operations (from June 26-30th), first by Ark Royal alone and then by Ark Royal and Victorious together, 57 Hurricanes are flown off to Malta. More planes are embarked but cannot be sent because of malfunctions in the launching equipment of the carriers.

Friday, June 27, 1941

On the Eastern Front... Forces of the Soviet 13th Army (Filatov), recently assigned to West Front, are struck by the attacks of German Panzer Group 3, advancing southward, and Panzer Group 2, striking northward. The panzer groups link up near Minsk, trapping another 3 Soviet rifle divisions in what is now the Bialystok-Nowogrodek pocket. There are about 20 Soviet divisions encircled.

From Budapest... Hungary declares war on the USSR.

Saturday, June 28, 1941

On the Eastern Front... Marching German infantry from the 9th Army (Strauss) and 4th Army (Kluge) link up east of Bialystok by nightfall, cutting off the Soviet forces concentrated in the Bialystok pocket from the larger Nowogrodek pocket.

In Washington... The US Army Bill for 1942 is passed by Congress.

Sunday, June 29, 1941

On the Eastern Front... The German armies are maintaining their advances and the Soviet positions is further stretched by the start of joint German-Finnish attacks in the Karelian Isthmus and farther north near Petsamo. Meanwhile, the last Soviet resistance in the Citadel area of Brest-Litovsk is eliminated.

Monday, June 30, 1941

On the Eastern Front... Bobruisk is taken by Panzer Group 2 (part of Army Group Center) and operations begin to cross the Berezina River. Troops from Army Group South take Lvov while to their left other units make deeper advances toward Kiev.

In Moscow... The formation of a new State Committee of Defense is announced. The members will be Stalin, Molotov, Voroshilov, Malenkov and Beria. Stalin is very much in charge.