World War II Timeline: May 1941
A dated guide to 4 documented events in May 1941, 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.
- — Programmable Z3 Computer Operates — Konrad Zuse demonstrated the Z3, a programmable electromechanical computing machine. It used relays and read its program from punched film.
- — First Flight of Britain's Gloster E.28/39 Jet Aircraft — The first flight lasted 17 minutes; a key milestone for Frank Whittle's jet engine.
- — Battle of Crete — German airborne forces begin an operation to seize the island.
- — Battle of the Denmark Strait — The German battleship Bismarck sinks the British battlecruiser HMS Hood.
For wider context, explore the interactive historical timeline and compare events across theaters.