World War II Timeline: May 1940
A dated guide to 5 documented events in May 1940, with links to individual historical records.
Dated historical records
Entries below follow the dates recorded in the WWII CHRONOS archive. Each linked title opens the original historical entry, including its source reference.
- — German Offensive in France and the Benelux — German forces attack the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France.
- — Capitulation of the Netherlands — On 10 May 1940, German forces launched an offensive against the Netherlands as part of the wider attack on Western Europe.
- — Nylon Stockings Go on Mass Sale — Synthetic fibres enter the mass consumer market.
- — Evacuation from Dunkirk — The Allies begin evacuating a large number of troops across the English Channel.
- — Allies Recapture Narvik — Norwegian and Allied forces regain control of Narvik.
For wider context, explore the interactive historical timeline and compare events across theaters.