Video: 'Hitler Strikes in the West - The Invasion of the Benelux - WW2 - 037 - May 11 1940' (Norway debate at 1:11)
(Tuesday, May 7, 1940, 2:45 p.m. BST; during the Norway Debate, part of World War II) — The Norway Debate, sometimes called the Narvik Debate, a momentous debate in the British House of Commons during the Second World War, began this afternoon in London. Continue reading Norway Debate begins in British House of Commons 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 7 1940)
Video: 'Architecture of Murder: The Auschwitz-Birkenau Blueprints'
(Saturday, April 27, 1940; during The Holocaust) — Following a number of inspections at various sites, Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, a leading member of the Nazi Party (NSDAP) of Germany, ordered the establishment of a new concentration camp today in the former artillery barracks in Oswiecim, known in German as Auschwitz. Continue reading Auschwitz concentration camp established by Heinrich Himmler 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 27 1940)
Video: 'The Invasion of Norway and Denmark - WW2 - 033 - April 13 1940' (Apr. 9, 1940, at 3:57)
(Tuesday, April 9, 1940, 5:15 a.m. Central European Time; during Operation Weserübung, part of World War II) — Nazi Germany occupied Denmark and invaded Norway early this morning, ostensibly as a preventive manoeuvre against a planned, and openly discussed, Franco-British occupation of Norway known as Plan R 4.
German envoys in Oslo and Copenhagen had presented the Norwegian and Danish governments with a German ultimatum demanding that they immediately accept the “protection of the Reich.”
Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary) 02.Distant War (September 1939 – May 1940)' (Operation Weserübung at 36:31)
Denmark capitulated so as to not provoke mass bloodshed at the hands of the Germans, and the country was invaded in six hours.
Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Halvdan Koht, however, responded with the defiant words “Vi gir oss ikke frivillig, kampen er allerede i gang” (“We will not submit voluntarily; the struggle is already underway”).
Video: 'World War II - Blitzkrieg to the Bomb Documentary' (Operation Weserübung at 10:29)
The entire Norwegian government including King Haakon VII fled the capital this morning for the mountains in the north.
Video: 'Hitler & Mussolini at Brenner Pass - 1940 | Today In History | 18 Mar 17'
(Monday, March 18, 1940, morning local time; during World War II) — German Führer Adolf Hitler and Italian Duce Benito Mussolini met today at the Brenner Pass in the Alps to celebrate their Pact of Steel, a military and political alliance between Italy and Germany. Continue reading Hitler and Mussolini plot war strategy at Brenner Pass 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 18 1940)
Video: 'The Soviets Finish a Costly Winter War - WW2 - 029 - March 16 1940'
(Wednesday, March 13, 1940, 11:00 a.m. Eastern European Time; during the Winter War, part of World War II) — The 105-day Winter War, a war between the Soviet Union (USSR) and Finland, ended today after both sides signed the Moscow Peace Treaty, which gave Russia 16,000 square miles of Finnish territory. Continue reading Winter War ends as Finland agrees to cede 16,000 square miles to Soviets 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 13 1940)
Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary) 02.Distant War (September 1939 – May 1940)' (Feb. 23, 1940, at 26:46)
(Friday, February 23, 1940; during World War II) — The Lord Mayor of London gave a luncheon party today at the Guildhall to officers and ratings of the Exeter and Ajax to celebrate their Dec. 13, 1939, victory at the Battle of the River Plate. Continue reading London acclaims naval heroes from crusiers Exeter and Ajax 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 23 1940)
Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary) 02.Distant War (September 1939 – May 1940)' (Feb. 16, 1940, at 30:43)
(Friday, February 16, 1940, 10:20 p.m. Central European Time; part of World War II and Phoney War) — Forces of the Royal Navy seized the German steamer Altmark today in Norwegian waters and freed 299 prisoners of war whose ships were sunk by the pocket battleship Graf Spee in the Southern Atlantic Ocean. Continue reading British raid Altmark in Norway waters, free 299 Spee captives 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 16 1940)
Video: 'Patton' trailer
(Wednesday, February 4, 1970, 7:30 p.m. EST) — A legendary general’s rebellious behavior almost costs him his command during World War II in Patton, an American epic biographical war film that premiered tonight at the Criterion Theatre in New York City. Continue reading ‘Patton’ premieres in New York City 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 4 1970)
Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary) 02.Distant War (September 1939 – May 1940)' (Dec. 13, 1939, at 23:18)
(Wednesday, December 13, 1939, 6:18 a.m. local time; during the Battle of the River Plate, part of the American Theatre of World War II) — The German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee was critically damaged in a battle with the British warships Exeter, Ajax and Achilles today off the River Plate estuary in Argentina and Uruguay. Continue reading British defeat Germans in first naval battle of World War II 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 13 1939)
Video: 'Soviets invade Finland'
(Thursday, November 30, 1939, 6:50 a.m. Eastern European Time; during the Winter War, part of World War II) — The Winter War began this morning as Soviet troops crossed the border on the Karelian Isthmus after a half-hour artillery bombardment. Continue reading Winter War begins as Soviets invade Finland 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 1939)
