Archive - World War II Today

'Making Ready for the Battle of Britain'

5th July 1940: Across the country, people expect the invasion to be imminent, probably led by airborne troops and parachutists

14 hrs ago

Churchill's rhetoric triumphs again

4th July 1940: Churchill tells Parliament that Britain faces 'a period of extreme danger' - hours after Luftwaffe dive bombers mount a devastating…

Jul 4

Royal Navy attacks the French Fleet

3rd July 1940: The British open fire on their former Ally's capital ships in the Moroccan port of Mers-El-Kebir

Jul 3

The Tragic loss of the Arandora Star

2nd July 1940: Hundreds of 'Enemy Aliens' detained by Britain die when the ship transporting them to Canada is torpedoed

Jul 2

Children killed in first raid

1st July 1940: The first Luftwaffe bombing raid on mainland Britain leaves a small community in shock

Jul 1

June 2025

The Channel Islands are occupied

30th June 1940: There is no attempt to resist the Germans as they occupy a small part of the United Kingdom

Jun 30

The 'thin crust' on the coast

30th June 1940: While mobile forces are kept in reserve inland, the troops kept on the coast must prepare to meet German invaders

Jun 29

German invasion expected soon

29th June 1940: The prospects for a German invasion are assessed by the Chief in Command, Home Forces

Jun 29

An American in Paris

28th June 1940: An excerpt from 'Strong in Will: Working for the American Embassy in Paris During the Nazi Occupation', a fascinating and only recently…

Jun 28

Arrested as an 'Enemy Alien'

27th June 1940: In Britain, thousands of foreign nationals are arrested and detained in internment camps

Jun 27

The Germans triumphant

26th June 1940: The Wehrmacht appears all-conquering, as whole French army units, together with their equipment, become prisoners in Germany

Jun 26

The 'Battle of the Alps' ends

25th June 1940: Italy's attack on France's southern border has achieved little but must end alongside the German armistice

Jun 25

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