-
Period: to
European theatre of war
September:
Germany invades Poland and the Allied nations declare war on Germany -
Period: to
European theatre of war
April:
Germany invades Denmark and Norway
May:
Germany invades Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg and Germany begins invasion of France -
Period: to
European theatre of war
June:
German forces move south towards Paris, Italy declares war on France and Great Britain, German troops enter Paris and France surrenders to Germany
July–September:
Air war between Britain and Germany (Battle of Britain) -
Period: to
European theatre of war
March:
28 Italian navy defeated. British Royal Navy gains control of the Mediterranean
June:
22 Germany invades USSR; USSR joins the Allies in war against Germany
December:
11 Germany and Italy declare war on USA -
Period: to
European theatre of war
January–December:
Air war continues across Europe
May:
Allies begin large-scale air attacks on Germany -
Period: to
European theatre of war
February:
Germany suffers significant defeat in Russia (Battle of Stalingrad)
September:
8 Italy surrenders to Allies
October:
13 Italy declares war on Germany -
Period: to
European theatre of war
June:
6 Allies invade German-occupied France (D-Day)
July:
20 Plot to assassinate Hitler fails
25 Allies liberate Paris -
Period: to
European theatre of war
January:
27 Concentration camp at Auschwitz liberated
April:
21 Russian army enters Berlin, Germany
30 Hitler commits suicide in Berlin bunker
May:
7 German forces surrender to the Allies
8 Victory in Europe (VE) Day.