Western Europe: World War II Timeline
Explore 21 dated records related to western europe between 1938 and 1946.
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.
- — Occupation of the Czech Lands — Germany occupies Bohemia and Moravia after the breakup of Czechoslovakia.
- — Britain and France Declare War — The two states enter the war against Germany following the invasion of Poland.
- — Invasion of Denmark and Norway — Germany begins an operation to occupy two Scandinavian states.
- — Allied Landing at Namsos — British and French forces began landing in central Norway.
- — Allied Withdrawal from Central Norway — British command begins withdrawing troops from the Trondheim area.
- — 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.
- — 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.
- — French Armistice with Germany — After France's defeat, an armistice is signed; a large part of the country comes under occupation.
- — First US Troops Arrive in Northern Ireland — A US Army contingent lands in Northern Ireland after the United States enters the war.
- — Dieppe Raid — The Allies carry out an unsuccessful amphibious raid on the French coast.
- — Germany Occupies the Unoccupied Zone of France — After the Allied landings in North Africa, German troops extend the occupation into southern France.
- — Normandy Landings — D-Day — The Allies open a major front in Western Europe.
- — Allied Breakout from Normandy — Operation Cobra — After the 6 June 1944 landings, Allied troops fought for weeks in Normandy and struggled to advance rapidly into France.
- — Allied Landings in Southern France — Allied troops land on France's Mediterranean coast.
- — Liberation of Paris — French and Allied forces restore control over Paris.
- — Operation Market Garden — The Allies attempt to seize bridges in the Netherlands with airborne troops and a ground advance.
- — Battle of the Bulge — Germany launches its last major offensive on the Western Front.
- — Crossing of the Rhine at Remagen — American forces capture a bridge across the Rhine.
- — German Surrender Takes Effect — The act of unconditional surrender takes effect on 8 May in Central European time, corresponding to 9 May in Moscow time.
For wider context, explore the interactive historical timeline and compare events across theaters.