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Cruiser Köln begins two months of repairs at Kiel, Germany
Named after the German city of Cologne, light cruiser Köln performed training cruises during the early and mid 1930s. In 1937, she patrolled the Spanish coast during the Spanish Civil War under the command of Captain Otto Backenkohler as part of the international naval blockade.
source: [World War II Database] -
Lord Gort is made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
John Standish Surtees Prendergast Vereker was born in London, England, United Kingdom into the Anglo-Irish aristocratic Vereker family. On the first day of 1938, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.
source: [World War II Database]
image courtesy: [BBC Your Paintings] -
George Giffard is made a Companion of the Order of the Bath
George James Giffard studied at the Rugby School and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England, United Kingdom. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment of the British Army in 1906. In 1938, he was named the Inspector-General of the African Colonial Forces.
source and image courtesy: [World War II Database] -
Italian submarine Scirè is launched at La Spezia, Italy
Commissioned in 1938, Scirè was modified to carry three manned torpedoes during the war for special forces missions. The most famous exploit by manned torpedoes that she carried took place on 19 Dec 1941 when Luigi Durand de la Penne, Emilio Bianchi, Vincenzo Martellotta, Mario Marino, Antonio Marceglia, and Spartaco Schergat sank British battleships HMS Valiant and HMS Queen Elizabeth in Alexandria harbor in Egypt.
source [World War II Database] -
German National Ministry of the Interior orders protective custody must be served in concentration camps
The Nazi Party had used relocation as an effective weapon against their political enemies as early as 1933, but it was some time between 1937 and 1938 that members of the Nazi Party started to deport Jews into concentration camps and ghettos.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Adolf Hitler takes direct control of the German military
It probably would not be much of an exaggeration to say that Adolf Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany, ranked high among the most evil men in the entire history of mankind. His personal ambition, fueled by extreme racial hatred and a deranged vision, led directly to the European War and the series of atrocities later known as the Holocaust.
source and image courtesy: [World War Two Database] -
Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg makes the "Rot-weiß-rot bis in den Tod" speech at the Austrian Bundestag
Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg makes the "Red-white-red until we're dead" ("Rot-weiß-rot bis in den Tod") speech at the Austrian Bundestag in protest of German threat. In the country, protests both for and against Germany appeared; meanwhile, there is a run on the banks and tourists begin to leave the country.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Members of the Austrian Social Democratic Party offer help against the German threat
Members of the Austrian Social Democratic Party offer help against the German threat if the Austrian government lift the ban on their party activities. Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg granted the request, but it was largely too late to make a difference.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg announces a plebiscite for 13 Mar 1938
Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg announces that a plebiscite is to take place on the 13 Mar 1938 to decide Austria's fate regarding the German threat.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Adolf Hitler orders his military leaders to review Case Otto for the invasion against Austria
Austria was Adolf Hitler's birth country, and she was the first nation to be annexed by Hitler's Nazi Germany. The idea of a unification of all German-speaking people under one flag, Anschluß (frequently Anglicized as Anschluss), had been an idea that had existed since the end of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Adolf Hitler formally issues a directive for the invasion of Austria to take place the following day
Adolf Hitler formally issues a directive for the invasion of Austria to take place the following day, 12 March 1938. -
Germany declares, then affects by marching troops across the frontier, Anschluß with Austria
Germany declares, then affects by marching troops across the frontier, Anschluß with Austria. Hours later, Adolf Hitler visited Linz in the recently annexed Austria region of Germany; he met with the German-installed Austrian Chancellor Arthur Seyß-Inquart at this city to discuss details of the occupation. Ousted Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg was placed under house arrest.
source: [World War Two Database] -
The French government reassures the Czechoslovakian government that France would honor the terms of the alliance in the event of a German invasion.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Benito Mussolini supports occupation of Austria
Benito Mussolini, previously a proponent of Austrian independence, states his support for the recently affected German occupation of Austria.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini meet at Brenner Pass
Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini meet at the Brenner Pass on the Italian-Austrian border; Mussolini agree's to enter a war on the side of Germany at an opportune moment.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Concentration Camp prisoners transferred
The female prisoners at Moringen Concentration Camps are transferred to the Lichtenburg Concentration Camp, which was a camp exclusively for women prisoners.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Chamberlain rejects Soviet request to form International Bloc
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain rejects a Soviet request to form an International Bloc to contain German aggression.
source: [World War Two Database] -
The Évian Conference is held in France
The Évian Conference, called for by US President Franklin Roosevelt, is held in Evian, France to discuss the arrangement of homes for Jewish refugees who had fled from Germany.
source: [World War Two Database]
wikipedia: [Évian Conference] -
Benito Mussolini creates the new military rank of First Marshal of the Empire
Benito Mussolini creates the new military rank of First Marshal of the Empire for himself and King Vittorio Emanuele III thereby empowering himself with the joint High Command of all Italian armed forces.
source: [World War Two Database] -
HMS Edinburgh launched
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Japanese Asashio-class Destroyer Asagumo is Commisioned into service
The Japanese Asashio-class Destroyer Asagumo is Commisioned into service.
source: [World War Two Database]
wikipedia: [Asagumo] -
The United States recognizes the German occupation of Austria
The United States recognizes the German occupation of Austria.
source: [World War Two Database] -
P-39 Airacobra takes its first flight
The P-39 Airacobra takes its first flight at Wright Field, Ohio, United States.
source: [World War Two Database] -
German 1st Mountain Division established
The 1st Mountain Division (Gebirgs Division) was an elite formation of German Wehrmacht. The Division was created on 9 April 1938 at Garmisch Partenkirchen from the Mountain Brigade (Gebirgs Brigade) which was itself formed on 1 June 1935.
image + wikipedia: [1st Mountain Division] -
At the Reichstag elections a ballot paper also required voters to approve the union with Austria
At the Reichstag elections, a single ballot paper also required voters to approve the union with Austria. There was much vote rigging by local Party officials to ensure Hitler got the result he wanted.
source: [World War Two Database] -
The first pre-production Messerschmitt Bf 110B-01 fighters took to the air
The first of four pre-production Messerschmitt Bf 110B-01 fighters powered by two Junkers Jumo 210Ga engines took to the air, despite the misgiving of senior Luftwaffe officers who had been overruled by Hermann Göring.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Air Commodore Arthur Harris visits the United States to select suitable aircraft for use by the RAF
A British purchasing mission led by Air Commodore Arthur Harris visits the United States to select suitable aircraft for use by the RAF in its expansion programme. The first aircraft selected were the Lockheed Hudson and the North American Harvard, 200 of each being ordered at a cost of US$ 5.4 million.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Adolf Hitler asks his top commanders how many German divisions are on the border with Czechoslovakia
Adolf Hitler asks his top commanders how many German divisions are on the border with Czechoslovakia, and were ready to move within a twelve hour window. The answer he received was twelve.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Adolf Hitler receives an intelligence report on Czechoslovakian weapons and defensive installations
Adolf Hitler receives an intelligence report on Czechoslovakian weapons and defensive installations.
source: [World War Two Database] -
HMS Cossack (L03) is commissioned into service
HMS Cossack (L03) is commissioned into service with Captain D. De Pass in command.
source: [World War Two Database] -
British Secretary of State for War, Leslie Hore-Belisha, announces that the two existing Territorial Army anti-aircraft Divisions would be expanded to five
British Secretary of State for War, Leslie Hore-Belisha, announces in the House of Commons that the two existing Territorial Army anti-aircraft Divisions would be expanded to five, raising their strength from 43,000 to 100,000.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Werner Mölders scores his first aerial victory
Werner Mölders scores his first aerial victory near Algar, Spain; the victim was an I-15 fighter.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Destroyer Garland exits drydocks at Sheerness
Destroyer Garland exits drydocks at Sheerness, England, United Kingdom.
source: [World War Two Database] -
The first Spitfire fighter is deployed into service
The first Spitfire fighter deployed into service went to No. 19 Squadron RAF. The squadron reported good performance, but the fighter had leaks, and the engine was difficult to start.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Colonel-General Ludwig Beck is forced to resign
In Berlin, Germany, Colonel-General Ludwig Beck is forced to resign as Chief of the Army General Staff because of his consistent opposition to Adolf Hitler's decision to attack Czechosovakia.
source: [World War Two Database] -
German Cruiser Prinz Eugen launched
German Cruiser Prinz Eugen launched.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Adolf Hitler evaluates plans for Belgium and Netherlands
Adolf Hitler asks his generals to evaluate the possibility of the conquest and occupation of Belgium and the Netherlands.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Adolf Hitler tours the Westwall Defences
While Adolf Hitler toured the Westwall defenses in western Germany, German General Wilhelm Adam warned that Germany could not be able to defend against an invasion by France for more than three days should Germany deploy most of its forces for an invasion of Czechoslovakia.
http://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=87 -
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill suggested that if the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union collectively asserted pressure on Germany, Germany might abandon its claims for the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia; he was unable to persuade fellow British politicians.
source: [World War Two Database] -
HMS Albatross arrives at Devonport.
HMAS Albatross arrived at Devonport, England, United Kingdom with a crew to man the cruiser soon-to-be transferred to Australia as HMAS Hobart.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Times publishes editorial opinion on Sudetenland
The newspaper Times of London publishes an editorial suggesting that Czechoslovakia had much to gain, in terms of achieving ethnic homogeneity should it allow the Sudetenland to secede.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Franklin Roosevelt announces neutrality
Franklin Roosevelt announces that the United States will remain neutral on the topic of German pressures on Czechoslovakia.
source: [World War Two Database] -
General Gamelin reports extent of French military strength
In France, General Maurice Gamelin reports to Prime Minister Édouard Daladier that the French military could easily overwhelm German defenses, should France respond militarily to any German threats on Czechoslovakia.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Neville Chamberlain visits Adolf Hitler
Neville Chamberlain visits Adolf Hitler at Berchtesgaden in southern Germany, to discuss the German demands on Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain expresses his personal approval for Germany's previous demands for Sudetenland. Hitler expresses his appreciation and promises that no military action would be taken.
source: [World War Two Database] -
The Czechoslovakian Army are mobilised
At 1030 hours, the Czechoslovakian military are mobilized. At 1700 hours, the Czechoslovakian President Edvard Beneš rejects the British-French suggestion for Czechoslovakia to cede Sudetenland to Germany.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Neville Chamberlain proposes Conference
Neville Chamberlain proposes to Adolf Hitler a conference between European powers to resolve the issue of Czechoslovakia.
source: [World War Two Database] -
The Munich Conference between Hitler, Chamberlain, Mussolini and Daladier takes place at the Führerbau building in München in Germany
On 28 Sep 1938, Chamberlain convinced Hitler to host a multi-power conference to determine the Sudetenland issue. As Hitler barred Czechoslovakian representation to this meeting, Chamberlain cabled Beneš, promising that the United Kingdom had Czechoslovakia's best interest in mind.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Germany revokes passports belonging to Jews and makes re-issuance of new passports more difficult
The Nazi Party had used relocation as an effective weapon against their political enemies as early as 1933, but it was some time between 1937 and 1938 that members of the Nazi Party started to deport Jews into concentration camps and ghettos. One of the first concentration camps built was at Buchenwald, while the ghettos in Poland were widely known.
source: [World War Two Database] -
The Czechoslovakian government resigns after Germany occupies the Sudetenland
The successful annexation of Austria fueled Adolf Hitler's ambition, and he looked on to the German-populated regions of western Czechoslovakia, a region which the Germans called Sudetenland.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Lieutenant-General Alan Brooke takes over command of the newly created Anti-Aircraft Corps
Lieutenant-General Alan Brooke took over command of the newly created Anti-Aircraft Corps with responsibility for inspection, training and discipline, while the actual operational control was vested in the Air Officer Commanding RAF Fighter Command, Air Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, since the handling of the air defences demanded the closest co-operation between fighter pilots, guns and searchlights.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Arbitration of Vienna gave Hungary southeastern Slovakia and Ruthenia
At noon on 2 Nov 1938, representatives of involved nations met at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna, Austria, with Ribbentrop and Ciano presiding over the First Vienna Arbitration. Foreign Minister Kálmán Kánya led the Hungarian delegation, while Foreign Minister Frantisek Chvalkovsky led the Czechoslovakian delegation. Jozef Tiso and Hermann Göring were also in attendance, among others.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Hungary begins to occupy territory ceded by Czechoslovakia
As required by the Munich Agreement, Czechoslovakia was to peacefully settle territorial disputes with Hungary and Poland. These territorial disputes were largely the result of the Treaty of Trianon of 1920 that forced Hungary, a successor state to the defeated Austro-Hungarian Empire, to cede territory to Czechoslovakia.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Kristallnacht begins in Germany; Jewish shops and synagogues are smashed, looted, burned, and destroyed throughout the country
In the morning of 10 Nov, the sun came up over a Germany whose streets were littered with broken glass, which led to the name Night of the Broken Glass. 1,574 synagogues, nearly all in Germany, were damaged, and 267 were destroyed; in Vienna, Austria, 94 synagogues and prayer houses were damaged or destroyed. Many Jewish cemeteries were desecrated. 7,500 Jewish-owned businesses were vandalized or destroyed.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Erwin Rommel becomes the commanding officer of the military academy at Wiener Neustadt in southern Germany
In early 1937, Rommel published a book on infantry tactics titled Infanterie greift an; a copy of the book found its way to Adolf Hitler's desk, and the writing highly impressed him. He made handsome amounts of money from the sale of the book, but in order to avoid paying taxes, he told his publisher to pay him only 15,000 Reichsmarks per year, keeping the rest in a bank account, gathering interest.
source: [World War Two Database] -
German government find Jews collectively responsible to pay one billion Reichsmarks for damage done during Kristallnacht
In Aug 1938, the German government announced that residence permits for foreigners, which included German-born Jews, would be canceled, and those affected risked deportation.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Adolf Hitler orders his top military leaders to prepare plans for the invasion of the Free City of Danzig
When the Nazi Party rose to power in Germany, many recruitment efforts by the party were active in Danzig. By 1933, 38% of the Danzig parliament was consisted of Nazi Party members, and a similarly significant percentage of the population expressed their wish to become a part of Germany.
source: [World War Two Database]
image courtesy: [Stratforder - wikipedia] -
HMS Ark Royal is commissioned into service
Ark Royal was the first purpose-built fleet carrier built by the British. She was capable of carrying 60 to 72 aircraft, while still meeting the limits of the Washington Naval Treaty. Her distinctive feature of having side plating running up to the flight deck would become the symbol of future British carriers.
source: [World War Two Database] -
U-47 is commissioned into service
U-47, commanded by Günther Prien, navigated around the natural and man-made obstacles of Holm Sound and infiltrated the Royal Navy base at Scapa Flow on 14 Oct 1939. After firing a spread of three torpedoes and missed (due to torpedo failure), her second salvo of four torpedoes hit and sank the battleship Royal Oak.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Lord Gort recommends the British Chiefs of Staff that the United Kingdom must assist France in the defense of the Low Countries
Lord Gort recommended the British Chiefs of Staff that the United Kingdom must assist France in the defense of the Low Countries should they be challenged by Germany. To achieve this, he advocated the improvement of British infantry and armored divisions.
source: [World War Two Database]
image courtesy: [wikipedia] -
German SS leader Reinhard Heydrich advises Gestapo leaders to investigate reasons for arrests
German SS leader Reinhard Heydrich advises Gestapo leaders to investigate the reasons for arrests, as there were now more prisoners than the space available in concentration camps.
source: [World War Two Database] -
HMS Eskimo (L75) is commissioned into service with Commander St. J. A. Micklethwait in command
HMS Eskimo was a Tribal-class destroyer, laid down by the High Walker Yard of Vickers Armstrong at Newcastle-on-Tyne on 5 August 1936. She was launched on 3 September 1937 and commissioned on 30 December 1938. Eskimo served throughout the Second World War, seeing action in Norway, the Mediterranean, the English Channel and in Burma.
sources:
[World War Two Database]
[wikipedia]
