Timeline of the War on the European Theater
Introduction to the WarOctober 25–November 1, 1936
Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy sign a treaty of cooperation on October 25; on November 1, the Rome-Berlin Axis is announced. August 23, 1939 Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign a nonaggression agreement and a secret codicil dividing eastern Europe into spheres of influence. September 1, 1939 Germany invades Poland, initiating World War II in Europe. |
During the War
June 10, 1940
Italy enters the war. Italy invades southern France on June 21.
July 10, 1940–October 31, 1940
The air war known as the Battle of Britain ends in defeat for Nazi Germany.
September 27, 1940
Germany, Japan, and Italy signed the Tripartite Pact.
November 1940
Slovakia (November 23), Hungary (November 20), and Romania (November 22) joined the Axis.
December 8, 1941
The United States declared war on Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, entering World War II.
December 11–13, 1941
Nazi Germany and the Axis countries declared war on the United States.
October 23–24, 1942
British troops defeated the Germans and Italians at El Alamein in Egypt.
May 13, 1943
Axis forces in Tunisia surrendered to the Allies. This ended the war in North African.
November 6, 1943
Soviet troops liberated Kiev.
June 4, 1944
Allied troops liberated Rome. This then allowed Anglo-American bombers to hit targets in eastern Germany.
June 6, 1944
British and US troops successfully land on the Normandy beaches of France, opening a “Second Front” against the Germans.
September 12, 1944
Finland leaves the Axis partnership.
December 16, 1944
Germany launched final offensive in the west, known as the Battle of the Bulge, in an attempt to re-conquer Belgium.
Italy enters the war. Italy invades southern France on June 21.
July 10, 1940–October 31, 1940
The air war known as the Battle of Britain ends in defeat for Nazi Germany.
September 27, 1940
Germany, Japan, and Italy signed the Tripartite Pact.
November 1940
Slovakia (November 23), Hungary (November 20), and Romania (November 22) joined the Axis.
December 8, 1941
The United States declared war on Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, entering World War II.
December 11–13, 1941
Nazi Germany and the Axis countries declared war on the United States.
October 23–24, 1942
British troops defeated the Germans and Italians at El Alamein in Egypt.
May 13, 1943
Axis forces in Tunisia surrendered to the Allies. This ended the war in North African.
November 6, 1943
Soviet troops liberated Kiev.
June 4, 1944
Allied troops liberated Rome. This then allowed Anglo-American bombers to hit targets in eastern Germany.
June 6, 1944
British and US troops successfully land on the Normandy beaches of France, opening a “Second Front” against the Germans.
September 12, 1944
Finland leaves the Axis partnership.
December 16, 1944
Germany launched final offensive in the west, known as the Battle of the Bulge, in an attempt to re-conquer Belgium.