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Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
Knowing that a war was coming, the Soviet Union and Germany began talks to guarantee peace between the arch-enemies. Although the resulting treaty described as a non-aggression pact, in reality, the treaty was a partition of eastern Europe into spheres of influence. Eastern Poland, Finland, Romania and the Baltic States fell into the Soviet sphere; while western Poland and a free hand in western Europe to Germany. -
Declaration of War
When Poland refused the German demand for access to the Polish corridor, Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France demanded that Germany withdraw from Poland, but when Germany refused to withdraw Britain and France declared war of Germany. -
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Invasion of Poland
Before even finalizing a declaration of war, the German army began the invasion of Poland. Quickly routing the much smaller Polish army, the German army began a massive pincer movement that would envelop all of western Poland within a month. The Soviet Union invaded eastern Europe as well; as part of the planned partition of Poland, between Germany and the Soviet Union. -
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The Phoney War
Although almost the entirety of the German army was fighting in Poland, neither France or Britain wanted to go on the offensive. Resulting in what would be dubbed "The Phoney War", as for the next eight months nothing would happen on the western front. -
Fall of Warsaw
On September 27th, after being under siege for nineteen days, Warsaw, the capital of Poland, surrendered. Killing off any hopes of resisting the German advance. -
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Winter War
When Finland rejected the Soviet Union's territorial demands, the Soviet Union declared war. Expecting a swift victory over the much smaller nation, the Soviets soon became bogged down by stedfast Finnish resistance. Utilizing speed and mobility, Finnish ski-troops would isolate and then annihilate pockets of Soviet troops; causing massive casualties and forcing Stalin to reorganize the Red Army. However, as the snow melted the Soviet Union began to gain ground, forcing Finland to seek peace. -
Soviet Expansion in the East
After the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the Soviet Union positioned massive armies along the border of the Baltic States. Faced with the imminent threat of invasion, the Baltic States all submitted to the Soviet Union and all became Soviet Socialist Republics. -
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Operation Weserübung
Fearing a possible Franco-British occupation of Norway, Germany launched a dual invasion of Denmark and Norway. While Denmark capitulated within a day, Norway would resist the German invasion for two months. -
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Battle of France
Once Germany had captured most of Norway, the German army turned west. On May 10th, 141 German divisions invaded Holland, Belgium, and Luxemburg and began the march towards Paris. Driving through the lightly-defended region of the Ardennes forest, German Panzers smashed through the Allied lines and split the Allied army in two. On June 25th, the French government asked for an armistice; Europe had fallen. -
Fall of Paris
With its army split in half, and German tanks nearing Paris, the French government fled Paris and declared it an open city. On June 14th, the first elements of the German army entered the capitol and began the process of occupation.
