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Hitler invades Czechoslovakia
Despite the assurances given by Hitler in the Treaty of Munich (Sept 1938), he marched into Czechoslovakia and occupied the country. -
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
Britain and France declared war on Germany. Neville Chamberlain broadcast the announcement that the country was at war. -
Period: to
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain comprised four phases:
1. During July Hitler sent his Luftwaffe bombers to attack British ports
2. During August the attacks on shipping continued but bombing raids were concentrated on RAF airfields.
3. The Blitz
4. Night Bombing
The RAF defended the skies and by October 31 the raids had ceased. -
D-Day
The allies launched an attack on Germany’s forces in Normandy, Western France. Thousands of transports carried an invasion army under the supreme command of general Eisenhower to the Normandy beaches. The Germans who had been fed false information about a landing near Calais, rushed troops to the area but were unable to prevent the allies from forming a solid bridgehead. For the allies it was essential to first capture a port. -
German forces surrender
German forces in Italy surrendered to the Allies. -
German forces surrender
German forces in north west Germany, Holland and Denmark surrendered to Montgomery on Luneburg Heath. Admiral Donitz, whom Hitler had nominated as his successor, tried to reach agreement to surrender to the Western allies but to continue to fight the Russians. His request was refused.