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German Anschluss with Austria?
Hitler went ahead with his plans to unify all German- speaking people. he annexed Austria then demanded the liberation of German people in the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia. -
Treaty of Munich
Hitler, Chamberlain, Daladier of France and mussolini of Italy met in Munich and agreed that Hitler should have the Sudetanland of Czechoslovakia. -
Hitler invades Czechoslovakia
Despite the assurances given by Hitler in the Treaty of Munich, he marched into Czechoslovakia and occupied the country. -
Britain rearms and reassures Poland
Britain had begun re-arming and a highly secret radar early warning system was installed along the coast. Conscription was introduced and assurances were given to Poland, who was being threatened by the Fuhrer. -
Russia and Germany sign pact?
Hitler and Stalin signed a non-aggression pact which included secret clauses for the division of Poland. -
Hitler invades Poland
Adolf Hitler invaded Poland. -
Britain and France declare war on Germany
Britain and France declared war on Germany. Neville Chamberlain broadcast the announcement that the country was at war. -
'Phoney War'
The months following Britain's declaration of war are referred to as the 'phoney war' because Britain saw no military action. -
Hitler invades Denmark and Norway
Hitler invaded and occupied Denmark and Norway to safeguard supply routes of Swedish ore and also to establish a Norwegian base from which to break the British naval blockade on Germany. -
Blitzkrieg
Hitler launched his blitzkrieg against Holland and Belgium. Rotterdam was bombed almost to extinction. Both countries were occupied. -
Chamberlain resigns
Neville Chamberlain resigned after pressure rom labour members for a more active prosecution of the war and Winston Churchill became the new head of the wartime coalition government. -
Dunkirk
The British commander-in-chief, General Gort, had been forced to retreat to the coast at Dunkirk. The troops waited, under merciless fire, to be taken off the beaches. -
Italy enter war on side of Axis powers
Italy entered the war on the side of the Axis powers. Italy's motive for entering the war was the hope of rich pickings from the spoils of war. -
France signs armistice with Germany
The French, marshall Petain, signed an armistice with Germany taking France, which had been devastated, out off the war and into German occupation. -
Battle of Britain
During July Hitler sent his Luftwaffe bombers to attack British ports. His aim was also to assess the speed and quality of response by the RAF.