What Happened Today?

[Friedrich H]

February 5th 1940, Paris and London.

The Supreme Allied War Council decides to intervene in Norway and Finland. This vague decision is thrusting on neutral Sweden and Norway’s co-operation. The Allied objective is to stop the supply of Swedish iron ore to Germany through the Norwegian port of Narvik, ice-free all the year.

February 16th 1940, North Atlantic.

The destroyer HMS Cossack violates Norwegian neutrality to rescue 299 British Navy’s prisoners on board the German prison-ship Altmark. This convinces Hitler of the Allied intentions towards his northern flank and accelerates preparations for the German invasion.





February 24th 1940, Germany.

The German plan for the invasion of France and the Low Countries faces significant changes; the main forces are concentrated in the Ardennes region, thanks to the plan developed by lieutenant general Erich von Manstein.



February 5th – February 7th 1941, Libya.

The Italians fail to escape the encirclement at Beda Fomm, south of Benghazi and they finally surrender to the British 7th armoured division. Meanwhile, the Australian 6th division, advancing along the coast, forces the garrison of Benghazi to capitulate on the 7th. This puts an end to the magnificent and genial British two-month campaign in the desert, which achieved a tremendous victory against an immensely superior enemy, thanks to good leadership and close naval and aerial co-operation.




February 14th 1941, Bulgaria.

Bulgaria allows German deployment of troops in the Greek-Bulgarian frontier, thus increasing German influence in the Balkans.

February 14th 1941, Soviet Union.

General Geórgi K. Zhúkov is appointed Chief of the General Staff —STAVKA— and Government Commissar for Defence. Zhúkov had already demonstrated his high-capacities in the severe setback he gave the Japanese Army in Mongolia, at the battle of Khalkin-Gol in August 1939.



February 14th 1941, Libya.

In response of Hitler’s help offer to Italy, the first troops and equipment of the Deutsches Afrika Korps —DAK— start landing in Tripoli, under the command of lieutenant general Erwin Rommel.


February 19th – February 23rd 1941, Egypt.

An Allied military and political convention in El Cairo decides to send 100.000 British troops to support the defence of Greece.

February 25th 1941, Italian Somalia.

Western and Eastern Africa troops under the British start advancing towards Mogadishu, the Somalian capital. The Italians start evacuating the colony.
February 1st 1942, Norway.

The puppet nazi collaborator, Vikdun Quisling becomes Prime Minister.



February 1st 1942, North Atlantic.

The German Navy changes their naval code, thus making the British unable to read it until late that year. However, technology improves submarine detection.

[Friedrich H]

February 1st 1942, Marshall and Gilbert Isles.

The USS Yorktown and USS Enterprise, aircraft carriers, supported by cruisers USS Northampton and USS Salt Lake City attack these isles.









February 4th 1942, Libya.

Axis forces have overextended supply lines and the whole battle is in a death point. The British have a defensive line from Gazhala to Bir-Hakeim and both sides are planning new offensives.

February 4th 1942, Singapore.

Great Britain refuses to give up the island and sends reinforcements.

February 5th 1942, United States.

The USA government declares war on Thailand.

February 8th 1942, Philippines.

The Philippine president, Manuel Quezón proposes the United States the independence of the Philippines. The Japanese and American armies would withdraw and the Philippine one, dissolved. Washington rejects the proposal.



February 8th – February 14th 1942, Singapore.

Two Japanese divisions, strongly supported by aerial, naval and artillery fire land in the Northwest of the island. A third division soon joins them. The Japanese quickly repair the railroad junction at Johore and 30.000 men, supported by tanks rapidly advance. Confused orders cause unnecessary withdrawals, losing a lot of equipment. Lieutenant general Sir Arthur Percival, the supreme commander of the island, is forced to surrender on the 14th when the water supply to the city is cut; the whole population and 85.000 men of the garrison are trapped and with no water. Japan suffered less than 10.000 total casualties in the whole Malayan and Singapore campaigns, whilst the Allies lost 138.000.






February 10th 1942, Atlantic Ocean.

Great Britain offers 34 anti-submarine ships and their crews to fight the German U-boats.

[Friedrich H]

February 11th – February 12th 1942, North Atlantic.

The German battle-cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, along the heavy cruiser Prince Eugen escape from the French port of Brest in day light through the English Channel, supported by destroyers and aircraft. The British air attacks are complete failures, 42 planes are lost. However, during the "Channel Dash", the German ships hit mines and will need repairs.









February 13th 1942, Germany.

Adolf Hitler finally cancels operation ‘Sea Lion’.

February 14th 1942, Germany.

Great Britain hands the order of ‘Zone Bombardment’, which stipulates the RAF Bomber Command’s strategic objectives. The bombardments will now try to destroy the German people’s morale and their psychological resistance and the German industry by attacking the cities.

February 18th – February 23rd 1942, Burma.

The Japanese troops are chasing the British without a pause. At River Sittang battle, the British cross the river through the only bridge and then blow it up —losing a lot of equipment and leaving behind many troops, that have to cross the river by boats—, but the Japanese have already managed to cross it somewhere else. The Japanese now have an unopposed way to Rangoon, the capital.

February 19th 1942, United States.

The relatively unknown lieutenant general Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes Chief of Operations Division of the US General Staff. He will be a strong advocate of the increase of American troops in Great Britain and the invasion of Europe though the English Channel.



February 19th 1942, Far East.

In the battle of Lombok Strait, east of Bali, American and Dutch ships make several attacks against the Japanese. A Dutch cruiser and a destroyer are lost, whilst a Japanese destroyer is damaged.

February 19th 1942, Australia.

Japanese aircraft carrier-based planes attack the port of Darwin. 16 ships are sunk or damaged, 172 lives are lost.

February 19th 1942, United States.

Franklin D. Roosevelt sign executive order 9.066, which causes the deportation of Japanese-American citizens to concentration camps, due to the general anti-Japanese feeling of the population after December 7th.

[Friedrich H]

February 20th 1942, Vichy France.

Leaders of the French Third Republic are trailed in Vichy because of their contribution to the humiliant defeat of 1940. Former Prime ministers Édouard Daladier, Léon Blum and Paul Reynaud have a very good defence. The trails are publicly mocked and they are never finished.









February 22nd 1942, Great Britain.

Air marshal Sir Arthur Harris takes command of the RAF BC.



February 23rd 1942, London, Camberra, Wellington and Washington.

The Allies ratify their mutual assistance agreement.

February 24th 1942, Pacific Ocean.

The USS Enterprise leads a force to attack the Japanese at Wake Island.

February 25th 1942,

The ABDA is dissolved and General Sir Archibald Wavell becomes commander in chief of India.



February 25th 1942, Los Angeles.

A false alarm in the city starts an anti-aircraft barrage.

February 26th 1942, Kiel.

RAF bombers make a raid against the German battle-cruiser Gneisenau. The damages are so severe, that her repairs wouldn’t be finished before the end of the war.

February 27th – February 29th 1942, Far East.

5 cruisers and 9 destroyers of 4 Allied nations under Dutch rear admiral Karel Doorman fight a Japanese force of 4 cruisers and 13 destroyers at Java Sea. After useless initial attacks, the Japanese cause severe losses to the Allies thanks to their faster and long-range torpedoes. The Allies lose 5 cruisers and 5 destroyers. Doorman dies. Japan loses 2 transport ships, 1 cruiser and 6 destroyers are damaged.



February 28th 1942, France.

British paratroopers make a raid against a German radar station at Bruneval, near Le Havre. The force escapes by sea with captured equipment.

February 1st – February 9th 1943, Guadalcanal.

Japanese war ships evacuate 13.000 men from the isles during the night. This means the first big Japanese defeat on the ground, they had some 10.000 killed and the Americans 1.600.



February 1st 1943, Soviet Union.

Field marshal Friedrich Paulus formally surrender the German VI army and all the troops inside Stalingrad pocket —93.000.

[Friedrich H]

February 3rd 1943, Soviet Union.

General Karl Strecker’s XI Corps finally surrenders inside Stalingrad’s tractor factory.



February 4th 1943, France.

British and American bombers launch an attack against German U-boats in the Vizcaya Gulf using powerful searchlights.

February 8th 1943, Soviet Union.

Soviet forces capture the city of Kursk.

February 9th 1943, Mediterranean Sea.

An Axis convoy heading for Tunisia is almost destroyed by Allied planes, submarines, ships —based in Malta— and mines.

February 12th – February 14th 1943, Soviet Union.

The Soviets take Krasnodar on the 12th and Rostov on the 14th.

February 14th – February 22nd 1943, Tunisia.

Field marshal Erwin Rommel launches an attack Northwest from his fortified ‘Mareth Line’ against Bône in the coast. At the battle of Kasserine Pass, the II American Corps is hardly beaten. The American forces were 160 kilometres from Gabès, the key point of the German defences because its road junction, port and airfield. Rommel exploits the ill co ordination and inexperience of the Americans to attack; he reaches Thala but then retreats when his momentum is lost. He losses 2.000 men and the Americans 10.000.





February 15th 1943, Soviet Union.

The Soviets re-capture Khárkov and other cities beyond de Don.

February 16th – February 21st 1943, Germany.

Anti-nazi demonstrations in Munich take place, which expand to other German cities. Hans and Sophie Scholl, the leaders of the anti-nazi organisation ‘White Rose’ are arrested and beheaded.



February 18th 1943, Burma.

Brigadier general Orde Wingate launchs the first chindit raid with 3.000 men in the Japanese rear, cutting their communication lines. The chindits —supplied by air— have little strategic impact, but they deeply impress Winston Churchill for their unorthodox tactics, he will approve in the future more and more ambitious chindit raids.



February 18th – February 27th 1943, Soviet Union.

Field marshal Erich von Manstein, commander of Army Group ‘Don’ launches a counteroffensive against the Soviet forces that were pushing to the Dniéper River. Taking advantage of the overextended Soviet supply lines and adequate communication he manages to annihilate three Soviet armies and re-capture Khárkov, stabilising the entire German southern front, about to collapse.



February 20th – February 25th 1943, North Atlantic.

The Allied convoy ON-166 losses 15 of 49 ships because of U-boats’ action. Only one of the latter is lost.

February 21st 1943, Solomon Isles.

American forces land in Rusell Island, being the first move to conquer the isles. Operation ‘Cartwheel’ pretends to supreme the Japanese air base at Raubaul in New Brittany.

February 23rd – February 24th 1943, North Atlantic.

7 tankers of convoy UC-1 are lost because of U-boats.

February 26th – February 28th 1943, Tunisia.

The German V Panzer Army, under colonel general Hans Jürgen von Arnim launches very late the much-needed counterattack Northwest of the ‘Mareth Line’, unsuccessfully.



February 28th 1943, Germany.

Colonel general Heinz Guderian is appointed General Inspector of Panzer Troops to re-organise the German armoured units, annihilated during the last year.

[Friedrich H]

February 28th 1943, Norway.

British commandos destroy the German plant at Norsk, where they were producing heavy water and making nuclear investigations.

February 1st – February 4th 1944, Marshall Isles.

Some 40.000 American marines land in Roi, Namur and Kwajalein. Japanese resistance is very strong. It takes 2 days and 737 men to settle in Roi and Namur. Kwajalein 4 days and 372 men. The Japanese have 11.612 men killed.

February 4th 1944, Anzio/Cassino.

The Germans stop the Allied assaults in Cassino and Anzio, even if in the latter the Allies have 70.000 men and 18.000 vehicles.



February 4th – February 24th 1944, Burma.

The Japanese launch operation ‘Ha-Go’ with their 55th division to isolate the forward troops of the XV Allied Corps and force them to withdraw to the Indian border. The initial attacks succeed and the Allies are pushed to Admin Box, near Sinzweya. The Japanese surround the Allies, but on the 25th, the 123rd brigade breaks the line and gets to Admin Box though Ngakyedauk.



February 5th 1944, Burma.

Orde Wingate’s 16th chindit brigade advances from the Ledo, India in the south to Indaw in northern Burma. Their mission is to help lieutenant general Joseph Stilwell in Myitkyina, eliminating enemy forces; creating a favourable situation for Yunnan’s armies and inflicting as much damage as possible to the enemy forces.





February 12th 1944, Far East.

The Japanese submarine I-27 sinks RMS Khedive Ismail, a troop transport, with huge life-loss. Destroyers HMS Petard and HMS Paladin then sink the I-27 shortly after.




February 16th – February 17th 1944, Cassino.
The American 34th infantry division makes a last try to take the monastery, but fails. It is then replaced by the 4th Indian and 4th New Zealander divisions.



February 16th – February 19th 1944, Anzio.

Field marshal Albert Kesselring’s 10 divisions attack the Allied beachhead, breaking the front and penetrating 1,5 kilometres between their lines, but Allied aircraft from all over Italy and the beachhead’s artillery finally disrupt the German attack.



February 18th – February 22nd 1944, Marshall Isles.

The American forces finish their conquest by taking Eniwetok. This combined operation took the lives of 3.400 Japanese and 254 marines and 94 soldier from the US Army. The Marshalls is the first part of Japanese territory to fall during the war.

February 26th 1944, Baltic Sea.

The Red Army conquests Porjov and re-groups in the line Novorzhev and Putoshka. During six months of campaign the Soviet Voljov, Leningrad and II Baltic fronts have annihilated Army Group ‘North’ —3 divisions, severely damaging 17 and capturing 189 tanks and 1.800 guns. Soviet partisans also killed 21.500 Germans, destroyed 300 bridges and 136 trains.

February 29th 1944, the Admirals.

As part of the strategy to isolate Raubaul, the Americans land in the Admiral Isles.

February 1st 1945, Eastern Prussia.

The IV German Army tries to break and get to friendly lines at Elbing, but the Soviets prevent it.

February 3rd – March 3rd 1945, Philippines.

The American XIV Corps starts its attack against Manila, defended by 17.000 Japanese under rear admiral Sanji Iwabuchi. The garrison, after destroying the city, is annihilated. The Americans have 1.000 men killed, 5.500 wounded and 100.000 Philippine civilians die.

February 4th – February 11th 1945, Soviet Union.

At Yalta, in the Crimea, Franklin D. Roosevelt, American President, Winston S. Churchill, British Prime Minister and Iósif Stalin, Soviet Premier meet to discuss about post-war Europe. It is agreed to divide Austria and Germany as well as Berlin and Vienna into four occupation zones: American, British, French and Soviet. The USSR is also going to declare war on Japan four weeks after the war in Europe ends.

[Friedrich H]

February 5th 1945, France.

The German bridgehead in the western bank of the Rhine in Colmar, south of Strasbourg is split by units of the I French Army from the south and the VII American Army, from the north.

February 9th 1945, Germany.

Marshal Iván Kóniev’s I Ukrainian Front starts a very powerful offensive to establish a defence line along the Oder River. By the 24th, his forces have advanced 120 kilometres, liberated Lower Silesia and 93.000 Soviet citizens and 22.500 other foreigners from German captivity.



February 9th 1945, France.

Field marshal Gerd von Runstedt, commander in chief of the western front convinces Hitler to withdraw the XIX Germany Army across the Rhine, after the Colmar pocket had been created. The western side of the river is now clear of Germans.



February 10th 1945, Poland.

The Soviet II Byelorussian Front attacks Grudziadz and Sepolno and clashes with heavy resistance by the II German Army.

February 11th 1945, Hungary.

The Axis garrison in Budapest tries to escape the encirclement in the city, but less than 700 of the 30.000 men trapped, manage to get out.

February 13th – February 14th 1945, Germany.

805 bombers from the RAF BC attack the Saxon City of Dresden. The next day, 400 bombers from the USAAF continue the attack. There’s almost complete destruction of the ancient city and great life-loss.



February 14th 1945, Eastern Prussia.

As result of the Red Army’s advance, 2.3 million inhabitants of Eastern Prussia have fled westwards by sea, air, roads, and railroads. Many thousands died of starvation, cold and Soviet fire.

February 16th – February 28th 1945, Philippines.

The American forces start expelling the Japanese from Manila Bay, out of Luzon. Bataan peninsula falls easily but Corregidor Island sees heavy resistance. The assault begins on the 16th, an airborne battalion falls on the island Southeast hills. Simultaneously, a marine battalion lands in the south. The island falls on the 28th.



February 16th 1945, Iwo-Jima.

The US Navy starts shelling the island for three days.

February 17th 1945, Iwo-Jima.

Marine Corps’ 4th and 5th divisions, under lieutenant general Holland M. Smith land in the island, almost unopposed, but the resistance stiffens once in-land. 21.000 Japanese defend the island and cause severe casualties to the Americans, who despite of that, land 30.000 men that day.

February 21st 1942, Germany.

The I Canadian Army takes Noch, ending operation ‘Veritable’, an offensive from Nijmegen, between Maas and Rhine rivers.

February 21st 1945, Burma.

The British XIV Army of General William Slim start the re-conquest of central Burma. From bridgeheads at Irawaddy, he heads to Mandalay —the second largest city of Burma— and Meiktila —an important rail and roads junction. In northern Burma, the British 36th division gets through Japanese lines at Myitson after a brutal three-week battle.



February 23rd 1945, Germany.

The American Armies I and IX launch operation ‘Grenade’ and they head towards the Roer River. Supported by 1.000 guns, 4 divisions cross the river with low resistance. Most German troops had been sendt northwards, to stop operation ‘Veritage’.

February 23rd 1945, Iwo-Jima.

The marines conquer Mount Suribachi and head northwards to take the rest of the island.



February 25th 1945, Iwo-Jima.

USMC 3rd division gets into action.

February 28th 1945, Saudi Arabia.

The government of Mecca declares war on Germany, as did Syria days before, both to be able to join the new UN.

February 28th 1945, Germany.

American VIII Corps from the I Army starts its attack against the Rhine.

February 28th 1945, Philippines.

A regiment from the American 41st division conquers Palawan Island.

[salientpoints]

Phew - thats a load of stuff. Are you going to do this every day?!

[Paul Reed]

I hope not - while it is interesting, it is info widely available on the net and in books - and I don't see the point of repeating it all here.

[Paul Johnson]

Whilst I applaud the enthusiasm, there is a danger of information overload which may put some people off. My view is that it is better to raise specific questions about WW2. This way, interested parties will benefit from a response.

(Just my view though)

PAUL JOHNSON