WorldWar-2.com
January 1933 – September 1945
‘I am speaking to you from the cabinet room at 10 Downing Street. This morning the British ambassador in Berlin handed the German government a final note stating that unless we heard from them by 11 o’clock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us. I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany.’Neville Chamberlain - Prime Minister of the United Kingdom - 3rd September 1939
Before the first shots were fired, the foundations of global conflict were laid during the Road to War (1933–1939). Following the rise of the Nazi Party and the collapse of international diplomacy, the world was set on an inevitable path toward War.
On 1st September 1939, World War II officially began with Germany’s invasion of Poland. France and the United Kingdom honoured their commitments to Poland, declaring war two days later, followed by Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa. The Second World War became the most destructive conflict in human history, fought across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, drawing more than 50 nations into the conflict and causing some 60 million deaths.
During the first three years, Germany and Italy scored sweeping victories in Poland, France, Norway, the Balkans, Russia, and North Africa, while Japan won early successes at Pearl Harbor, Singapore, and the Philippines. By mid to late 1942, however, the Axis had suffered decisive defeats at Midway, El Alamein, and Stalingrad.
These setbacks, described by Churchill after El Alamein as ‘the End of the Beginning’, forced the Axis onto the defensive. Germany and Japan faced further defeats at Kursk, Sicily, and in the Solomons. With Italy’s surrender in September 1943, Germany and Japan were left to fight alone against a strengthening Allied coalition. By late 1944, they were pushed back to their pre-war borders and defeated in Normandy, Hungary, Burma, and Okinawa. Hitler’s suicide on the 30th April 1945 preceded Germany’s surrender on the 7th May, while Japan capitulated on the 14th August after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet declaration of war.
The war’s aftermath reshaped the world order, exposing the atrocities committed by the Axis powers and shifting global influence from Britain and France to the United States and the Soviet Union. The unity that bound the Allies soon gave way to the mistrust of the Cold War.
The above introduction can give only a very brief overview of World War 2, but you can find out much more by exploring the pages within WorldWar-2.com, which will help you uncover the detail and the complexity of the politics leading up to the war as well as link together the individual timelines of battles and operational campaigns to provide you with the bigger picture. Enjoy your journey!
10th August 2026
The Leaders and Commanders section has been expanded with four new profiles: Generaloberst Werner von Fritsch, former Commander-in-Chief of the German Army; Generaloberst Heinz Guderian, the influential panzer commander and military theorist; Lieutenant Commander Jan Grudziński, commander of the Polish submarine ORP Orzeł; and Major General Stefan Dąb-Biernacki, commander of the Polish Prusy Army. These additions further broaden the site's coverage of military leaders who directed operations on land and at sea during the opening years of the Second World War.
24th July 2026
The North Africa section now features a dedicated overview page, providing an introduction to the campaign and bringing together the theatre's major operations, battles, and timelines in one central hub.
18th July 2026
The Operation Sunflower timeline has undergone a major revision, with every daily entry reworked and expanded to provide a more detailed account of Rommel's advance across Cyrenaica and the opening stages of the Siege of Tobruk. New daily entries have also been added, together with contemporary newsreel footage, further enhancing the timeline's coverage of the campaign and bringing it in line with the depth and presentation of the Operation Compass timeline.
Light Tank
The Renault FT-31 was a modernised version of the famous Renault FT light tank, one of the most influential armoured vehicles of the First World War. Introduced during the 1930s, the upgrade programme sought to extend the service life of France's large fleet of ageing tanks while newer designs were still entering production. The principal improvement was the replacement of the original armament with a more modern 7.5 mm Hotchkiss machine gun, while some vehicles also received updated turrets and communications equipment. Read more about the Renault FT-31 →
President Paul von Hindenburg dies (aged 86), at which point a law decreed by Hitler and the Cabinet the previous day, comes into force merging the office of president with that of Chancellor, giving him the title 'Führer und Reichskanzler'.
The German Government officially enacts a law, known as the ‘Law On The Allegiance of Civil Servants and Soldiers of the Armed Forces’, which stipulates that civilian officials and soldiers in the Reichswehr must swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler personally, rather than to Germany. The Civil servant oath: ‘I swear, I will be faithful and obedient to the leader of the German Reich and people, Adolf Hitler, to observe the law, and to conscientiously fulfil my official duties, so help me God!’ The Reichswehr oath: ‘I swear by God this holy oath that I shall render unconditional obedience to the Leader of the German Reich and people, Adolf Hitler, supreme commander of the armed forces, and that as a brave soldier I shall at all times be prepared to give my life for this oath.’
Adolf Hitler opens the Berlin Games amid much celebration of Aryan racial supremacy.
Britain announces the launch of its biggest naval expansion programme, calling for the building of 38 new warships.
During a meeting with his generals at Berchtesgaden, Hitler declares that ‘the destruction of Poland.. would begin on Saturday, 26th August at 4am.’
The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact is concluded between Germany and the Soviet Union, negotiated and named after their respective foreign ministers, Ribbentrop and Molotov. The agreement contained 7 public articles and 1 secret protocol:
The British Parliament is recalled from its Summer recess to pass the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939 in response to the signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact the previous day. This act immediately grants the government special legislative powers to implement defence regulations.
The Polish-British Common Defence Pact which guarantees Polish independence, is finally signed committing both Britain and France to come to the defence of Poland in the event of an attack. Hitler hesitates following the signing and postpones the start date of the invasion until the 1st September. Unaware that Hitler had already postponed the attack on Poland, a detachment of German Abwehr agents, disguised in civilian clothes, crosses the Slovakian-Polish border that night and attempts to seize the Mosty railway station and tunnel in the Jabłonków Pass. However, quick action by soldiers from the Polish Border Guard and the 4th Podhale Rifle Regiment repel the attempt, wounding two Germans, who then withdrew back across the border. Known as the Jabłonków incident, the Polish government lodges a formal protest. Mussolini communicates to Hitler that Italy isn’t prepared for war at this time.
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Radio broadcast - 9th February 1941
‘We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Neither the sudden shock of battle, nor the long-drawn trials of vigilance and exertion will wear us down. Give us the tools and we will finish the job.’
Political Career: 1924 – May 1945
Key Roles & Appointments:
1926–1945: Gauleiter of Berlin
1933–1945: Reich Minister for Public Enlightenment & Propaganda
1944–1945: Reich Plenipotentiary for Total War
1945: Chancellor of Germany (30th April – 1st May)
Joseph Goebbels served as Reich Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda from 1933 until the collapse of Nazi Germany in 1945. One of Adolf Hitler's closest political allies, he was responsible for controlling the press, radio, film, literature, and cultural life throughout the Third Reich. Through censorship, propaganda campaigns, and mass rallies, Goebbels helped shape public opinion, promote Nazi ideology, and maintain support for the regime during both peace and war. During the Second World War, Goebbels played a central role in sustaining civilian morale as Germany's military situation deteriorated. He became one of the strongest advocates of "total war," calling for the complete mobilisation of German industry, manpower, and resources following major defeats on the Eastern Front. In addition to his propaganda duties, he served as Gauleiter of Berlin and became increasingly involved in organising the capital's defence as Allied bombing intensified and Soviet forces approached the city. Goebbels remained in Berlin during the final battle for the city in April 1945 and stayed loyal to Hitler until the end. Following Hitler's suicide on 30th April, he briefly succeeded him as Chancellor under the terms of Hitler's political testament. The following day, after arranging the deaths of his six children, Goebbels and his wife Magda committed suicide. His career remains closely associated with the propaganda apparatus that supported Nazi rule and the crimes committed by the regime. Explore more leaders and commanders →
