Archive - World War II Today

Fighter Pilots in 1940

A selection of first-hand accounts from the men who fought the 'Battle of Britain'

17 hrs ago

Italian defence of Bardia crumbles

4th January 1941: A well-coordinated attack on the Italian garrison port of Bardia soon reveals their poor equipment and disorganisation

18 hrs ago

Women at War in 1940

In a People's War, women are very much on the front line, whether they volunteered for it or not

Jan 3

Australians take over assault on Italians

3rd January 1941: In their first action of the war, Australian troops assault the Italian garrison of Bardia on the coastof Libya

Jan 3

Americans in 1940

U.S. citizens were 'neutral' in 1940 and unusually well placed to see the impact of the Nazis - some individuals wanted to take action directly

Jan 2

The Cardiff Blitz

2nd January 1941: The Luftwaffe move on to assault yet another major city but one family survives a cold night in an Anderson Shelter

Jan 2

Hitler's most successful year confounds the world ... but his true ambition is yet to be revealed ... key posts from the past year

Jan 1

Hitler promises war, as FDR promises munitions

1st January 1941: Britain remains the last enemy for Hitler, but the US President has announced that they will become the 'Arsenal of Democracy'

Jan 1

December 2025

New Year on the 'Mighty Hood'

31st December 1940: The beginning of a New Year on one of the largest warships ever built, destined to have a fateful role in the next major naval…

Dec 31, 2025

Back to work in the City

30th December 1940: Office workers are determined to show that 'London can take it' - even though 1,500 separate fires have ripped the heart out of the…

Dec 30, 2025

City of London Firestorm

29th December 1940: Incendiary bombs cause enormous damage across a swathe of the historic centre of London

Dec 29, 2025

'Are the people really taking it?’

28th December 1940: An independent observer looks at the way people have adapted to life in the underground shelters in the Docklands area of London

Dec 28, 2025

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