World War II Timelines: 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945

1938/39

30-Sep-1938

Treaty of Munich

The Munich Agreement, signed on September 30, 1938, allowed Nazi Germany to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia, a move that became a symbol of appeasement and ultimately failed to prevent World War II.

15-Mar-1939

Germany invades Czechoslovakia

Nazi Germany invaded and occupied the Czech provinces of Bohemia and Moravia, forming the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, after Slovakia declared its independence on March 14th. This action, a direct violation of the Munich Agreement, marked the end of appeasement and a significant step towards World War II.

Jun-1939

Womens Land Army (WLA) reformed

The WLA) was first established during WWI to address the shortage of male agricultural labor and was re-formed in anticipation of the Second WWII to ensure Britain’s food supply during the war. Women who joined the WLA were known as “Land Girls” and by 1943, comprised over 80,000 women.

23-Aug-1939

Russia and Germany sign Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

On August 23, 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact, also known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which divided Eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence, paving the way for the invasion of Poland and the start of World War II.

1-Sep-1939

Germany invades Poland

Germany launched a surprise attack on Poland at dawn on September 1, 1939, with a force of over 1.5 million soldiers, 2,000 tanks, and nearly 900 bombers. Nazi propagandists falsely claimed that Poland was persecuting ethnic Germans and that Poland was planning to attack Germany with its allies, Great Britain and France.

3-Sep-1939

Britain and France declare war on Germany

On September 3, 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany, two days after Germany invaded Poland, marking the official start of World War II. The immediate cause was Germany’s invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939. Both Britain and France had previously guaranteed Poland’s borders and pledged to defend it against aggression.

16-Sep-1939

Petrol Rationing

Motorists had to present their car registration book in order to collect petrol coupons from their local Post Office.

They were initially allowed fuel for approximately 200 miles (320 kilometers) per month.
This form of ratioining was suspended from July 1942 to June 1945 and replaced with essential user coupons issued only to those with official sanction.
In 1945, the basic ration was restored, about 150 miles (240 km) per month in June, increasing to 180 miles (290 km) in August.