World War II: Germany carries out Operation Weserübung, and invades Denmark and Norway. German forces land in several Norwegian ports and take Oslo; The Norwegian Campaign lasts two months. The Allied campaign in Norway is simultaneously commenced.

Germany signed a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union and invaded Poland on 1 September 1939, launching World War II in Europe. In alliance with Italy and other Axis powers, Germany conquered most of Europe by 1940 and threatened Great Britain.

Feb 12, 2025 · Explore a timeline of key events during 1940 in the history of Nazi Germany, World War II, and the Holocaust.

Battle of Britain began – German Luftwaffe attempted to gain control of British airspace through defeat of the Royal Airforce. October 1940 Daylight and night bombing raids on Britain (The Blitz) by the Luftwaffe were abandoned.

Germany launched its western offensive on May 10, 1940. German paratroopers landed in the Netherlands on the first day of the German attack on that country. They seized key bridges and fortifications, compromising Dutch defensive positions.

5 days ago · The attack on the Western Front began in the spring of 1940. Hitler took Denmark and Norway during the course of a few days in April, and on May 10 he attacked France, along with Luxembourg, Belgium, and The Netherlands.

Mar 6, 2025 · Learn about the Battle of Britain, between Britain's Royal Air Force and Germany's Luftwaffe, which began in July 1940. From The Second World War: Triumph of the Axis (1963), a documentary by Encyclopædia Britannica Educational Corporation. (more)

On June 22, 1941, German forces suddenly invaded the Soviet Union. But Germany proved unable to defeat the Soviet Union, which together with Great Britain and the United States turned the tide of battle and ultimately defeated Germany in May 1945.

The massive German offensive against the Western front: The invasion of Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France begins. In a bold stroke, German paratroops capture the Belgian fort Eben Emael. The Battle for The Hague becomes the first failed paratrooper attack in history as the Dutch quickly defeat the invaders. 11 May

Apr 26, 2015 · Historical Map of Europe & the Mediterranean (25 May 1940 - Blitzkrieg in the West: While the Allies were still dealing with the fall of Denmark and Norway, Germany struck west. The attack began with a German invasion of the Netherlands and northern Belgium.