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Declaration of War
Mexico declares war on Germany, Italy, and Japan. -
Period: to
June 1942
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Heavy Bombing
Further heavy bombing of industrial sites in Germany. -
Battle of Midway
In the Battle of Midway, the day opens with Admiral Nagumo's attack on the air defences of the island. -
Japanese Invasion
Japanese forces invade Attu and Kiska. This is the first invasion of American soil in 128 years. -
Battle of Midway
As The Battle of Midway comes to a close; the USS Yorktown sinks. -
Japan continues attacking.
A Japanese submarine fires several shells into a residential area in Sydney but with little effect. -
Rommel Pushes on
Rommel pushes the Free French forces out of Bir Hakeim. -
Office of War Information
The United States opens its Office of War Information, a centre for production of propaganda. -
The Gazala Line
At the Gazala Line, the British position has become untenable. -
No Giving up
British General Auchinleck sends Churchill a reply to the latter's telegram of the 14th, saying in part, "...I have no intention whatever of giving up Tobruk." -
Tobruk
Tobruk has become surrounded by German forces. -
The Manhattan Project Begins
Manhattan Project is started, the beginning of a scientific approach to nuclear weapons. -
Recapture of Tobruk
Afrika Korps recaptures Tobruk, with 35,000 men captured; the road to Egypt is now open as the British retreat deep into Egypt. -
Case Blue
The German plan to capture Stalingrad and the Soviet Union oil fields in the Caucasus, begins. -
The European Theater
United States deploys II Corps to the European Theater.
