Events

Events 1939–1945

A chronology of events across the European theatres of war. The database grows over time — a missing entry does not mean nothing happened.

1939

7 Sept 1939 – 16 Sept 1939Saar OffensiveBattle · Western Front · SaarlandShow on map →

10 May 1940 – 25 Jun 1940Battle of FranceCampaign · Western Front · France and the Low Countries (breakthrough at Sedan)Show on map →
12 May 1940 – 15 May 1940Battle of Sedan (1940)Battle · Western Front · Sedan, MeuseShow on map →
14 May 1940Bombing of RotterdamAir operation · Western Front · Rotterdam, NetherlandsShow on map →
26 May 1940 – 4 Jun 1940Dunkirk evacuation (Operation Dynamo)Naval operation · Western Front · Dunkirk, FranceShow on map →
22 June 1940Armistice of 22 June 1940Politics · Western Front · Compiègne (Rethondes), FranceShow on map →

19 August 1942Dieppe Raid (Operation Jubilee)Battle · Western Front · DieppeShow on map →

6 Jun 1944 – 30 Aug 1944Normandy landings and Operation OverlordCampaign · Western Front · Normandy, FranceShow on map →
10 June 1944Oradour-sur-Glane massacreCrimes & persecution · Western Front · Oradour-sur-Glane, FranceShow on map →
12 Aug 1944 – 21 Aug 1944Falaise pocketBattle · Western Front · Falaise–Chambois, NormandyShow on map →
15 Aug 1944 – 14 Sept 1944Operation Dragoon — landings in southern FranceCampaign · Western Front · Provence coastShow on map →
19 Aug 1944 – 25 Aug 1944Liberation of ParisResistance · Western Front · ParisShow on map →
17 Sept 1944 – 25 Sept 1944Operation Market GardenCampaign · Western Front · Eindhoven – Nijmegen – Arnhem, NetherlandsShow on map →
2 Oct 1944 – 8 Nov 1944Battle of the ScheldtBattle · Western Front · Scheldt estuary, ZeelandShow on map →
16 Dec 1944 – 25 Jan 1945Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes Offensive)Battle · Western Front · Ardennes (Belgium and Luxembourg)Show on map →

7 Mar 1945 – 25 Mar 1945Capture of the Ludendorff Bridge at RemagenBattle · Western Front · Remagen, RhineShow on map →
23 Mar 1945 – 27 Mar 1945Operation Plunder — Rhine crossing at WeselCampaign · Western Front · Lower Rhine at Wesel and ReesShow on map →
1 Apr 1945 – 18 Apr 1945Ruhr pocketBattle · Western Front · Ruhr areaShow on map →