Chronology of World War II

Saturday, March 1, 1941

In East Africa... The carrier Formidable attacks Massawa again. German mines blocking the carrier's entry into the Mediterranean are being cleared.

From Washington... The US Navy forms a Support Force for the Atlantic Fleet. The main part of this unit is made up from three destroyer squadrons of 27 ships.

In Sofia... Prime Minister Filov brings Bulgaria into the Tripartite Pact.

In North Africa... Kuffra in southeast Libya is taken by a Free French force from Chad. Colonel Leclerc is in command. The French force has received some help from units of the British Long Rage Desert Group.

Sunday, March 2, 1941

In Bulgaria... Following the treaty agreement on the previous day German troops begin to move into Bulgaria in force. These German units are part of List's Twelfth Army.

Monday, March 3, 1941

In the Balkans... Italian aircraft bomb the earthquake stricken town of Larissa in Greece. British RAF Hurricanes destroy 5 Cant bombers (probably returning from Larissa) over Corfu.

In Moscow... The Soviet government denounces the Bulgarian signing of the Axis Pact.

Tuesday, March 4, 1941

In Germany... Hitler meets Prince Paul of Yugoslavia secretly at Berchtesgaden to ask him once again to join the Tripartite Pact. Paul returns to Yugoslavia convinced that he must decide very soon between Britain and Germany. Talks in the next few days convince him that Britain has little help to offer.

In Occupied Norway... There is a British Commando raid on the Lofoten Islands. The 500-strong force is carried by naval units which include two light cruisers and five destroyers. Ten ships are sunk in the operation and 215 German prisoners are taken. There are also 300 Norwegian volunteers who are taken to Britain. The operation is a success but the Germans take fierce reprisals when the British force withdraws. Many members of the Norwegian resistance movement do not approve of such raids for this reason.

In Greece... General Wilson, who is to command the British forces being prepared for Greece, arrives in Athens to arrange the final details with the Greek general staff. A major convoy is about to leave Alexandria with the first large contingent. The British have only just discovered that the Greek forces in Macedonia have not retired to the Aliakmon Line and will not be able to persuade them to do so because of the damage to morale that would result if territory is obviously given up without a fight after the German move into Bulgaria. Wilson is further hindered by the Greek insistence that he remains incognito inside the British Embassy in order not to provoke the Germans. In fact the German consulate in Piraeus overlooks the port area which will be used to land the British forces, so they are well aware what is happening.

Wednesday, March 5, 1941

In the Mediterranean... Operation Lustre begins. British troops are convoyed from Alexandria in Egypt to Greece. (By April 2nd, a total of 58,000 troops are deployed.) Italian submarines carry out unsuccessful patrols along the convoy routes. From London... The British government severs diplomatic relations with Bulgaria. In Vienna... Hermann Goring meets with Romanian dictator, General Antonescu, to secure the participation of Romania in Operation Barbarossa. In the Balkans... Italian prisoners, captured by Greek forces in Albania, report that 1500 Alpini troops were drowned in the sinking of the transport ship Liguria and that Allied bombing raids have caused heavy casualties and significant confusion behind Italian lines.

Thursday, March 6, 1941

In Occupied Holland... Following strikes during February over the arrest of Jews and attempts to send workers to jobs in Germany the Germans condemn 18 Dutch resistance members. These are the first such victims in Holland. The Communists have played a notable part in organizing strikes.

Friday, March 7, 1941

In the North Atlantic... The British destroyer Wolverine sinks the German submarine U-47 in a convoy engagement. The U-47 is commanded by the ace captain, Prien, one of the three leading U-boat captains who will be killed or captured in the next few weeks.

Saturday, March 8, 1941

In the North Atlantic... Convoy SL-67 escapes attack from the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau because the battleship Malaya is present. Hitler has ordered that no risk of damage to the ships is to be run if this can be avoided.

In Washington... The Lend-Lease Bill is passed by the Senate by 60 votes to 13.

Sunday, March 9, 1941

In the Balkans... In Albania, the Italians launch an offensive along the front between the rivers Devoli and Vijose. There are a few local successes initially. The Italians have assembled 12 divisions for the attack and Mussolini himself has crossed to Albania to supervise the progress. There is little subtlety to the tactical plan and much that is reminiscent of World War I. The Greek intelligence of the direction of the attack is good and their defenses well prepared.

Monday, March 10, 1941

In East Africa... Since taking Mogadishu General Platt's troops have advance 600 miles north from there into Abyssinia and only now come into contact with any Italian forces. Their encounter is at Dagabur, only 100 miles south of Jijiga.

Tuesday, March 11, 1941

In Washington... The Lend-Lease Bill becomes law when signed by President Roosevelt. Important amendments have been made by Congress. A time limit has been placed on the operation of the act -- until June 1943 -- but a motion originally passed in the House forbidding US warships to give convoy protection to foreign ships has been defeated. Also to be allowed are transfers of ships to other countries solely on the presidential authority without reference to Congress. Lend-Lease is not an entirely disinterested act. Britain is compelled to go on paying cash for as long as this is possible (meaning British assets in the US must be sold below their true value) and it is forbidden to export anything containing materials supplied under Lend-Lease, nor can items wholly produced in Britain be exported if equivalent items are being supplied under Lend-Lease.

Wednesday, March 12, 1941

In Washington... President Roosevelt presents an Appropriations Bill for Lend-Lease to Congress for $7,000,000,000.

Thursday, March 13, 1941

In the Balkans... In Albania, the Italian attacks toward Klisura continue but are now being held comfortably by the Greek defense.

From Berlin... Hitler issues a directive for the invasion of the Soviet Union which gives administrative control of any captured territory to the SS.

Friday, March 14, 1941

In East Africa... Wingate and Haile Selassie establish new headquarters at Burye. The main Italian force in their area is now at Debra Markos. The Italians are negotiating with a local chief called Ras Hailu and are preparing an attack with him.

Saturday, March 15, 1941

In the North Atlantic... Sixteen ships from a dispersing convoy are sunk (during March 15-16) by the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. During this encounter the British battleship Rodney comes up but cannot close the range and engage. After this the British hunt for the German battle cruisers is extensive but unsuccessful.

In East Africa... The British attacks toward Keren, Eritrea, are renewed. Both 4th and 5th Indian divisions are involved. The first attacks by 4th Indian division go fairly well but not all the gains can be held.

In Washington... In an important speech Roosevelt promises that the United States will supply Britain and the Allies "aid until victory" and that there will be an "end to compromise with tyranny."

Sunday, March 16, 1941

In the North Atlantic... Kretschmer's U-99 and Schepke's U-100 are both sunk in a convoy battle. These sinkings, combined with the loss of Prien ten days previously, are a severe blow to the morale of the U-boat crews as well as a serious military loss because of their unusual ability. The sinking of U-100 is symbolic as being achieved with the aid of new radar equipment. Kretschmer is captured after his ship is sunk.

In East Africa... A small British force arriving by sea from Aden in two light cruisers, two destroyers and seven other vessels lands and captures the port of Berbera. The capture takes only a little time and immediately afterward they begin to advance inland. There are alos British gains in the battle around Keren. The 5th Indian Division, which has been unable to advance on the first day, now takes the Dologorodoc position south of the Keren road. The next five days are dominated by Italian efforts to mount counterattacks.

In the Balkans... The Italian offensive is called off. In the past few days they have incurred 12,000 casualties and taken absolutely no ground. However, the Greeks have been compelled by the Italian offensive to do nothing to strengthen their forces which face the German threat elsewhere.

Monday, March 17, 1941

In East Africa... General Cunningham's northward advance reaches Jijiga which has been evacuated by the Italians.

Tuesday, March 18, 1941

In East Africa... Ethiopian tribesmen attempt to surround the Italian garrison at Debra Marcos.

In Cyprus... The British foreign minister, Anthony Eden, meets the Turkish foreign minister.

Wednesday, March 19, 1941

In the North Atlantic... The British battleship Malaya is seriously damaged by a torpedo from U-106 when with a convoy in the Atlantic. The Malaya goes to New York for repairs -- the first major British warship to receive such help.

In Belgrade... The Germans repeat their demands on Yugoslavia. They now give the Yugoslavs five days to make a decision.

Thursday, March 20, 1941

In Belgrade... In a meeting of the Royal Council it becomes clear that Regent Paul is ready to agree to Hitler's demand that Yugoslavia join the Tripartite Pact and allow free passage of German troops. Four ministers resign in protest.

Friday, March 21, 1941

In East Africa... Troops of the 11th African Division attack Italian positions in the Marda Pass west of Jijiga. After some resistance the Italians fall back despite the strength of their positions.

Saturday, March 22, 1941

In the North Atlantic... The Scharnhorst and Gneisenau reach French waters. As well as the dispersing convoys found, one other ship has been sunk, bring the total to 22 ships of 115,600 tons. Considerable disruption to the British convoy system has been caused.

In East Africa... In the advance west of Jijiga the Allied forces overrun another defensive position at the Babile Pass.

Sunday, March 23, 1941

In the Mediterranean... German Stuka dive-bombers, with a fighter escort, conduct a raid on Malta. A total of 13 German planes are shot down while the British lose 2 fighters. British authorities decide to withdraw all bombers and flying boats from Malta as a result of the raid.

Monday, March 24, 1941

In North Africa... El Agheila is recaptured from the British by Rommel's forces. General O'Connor and his experienced desert troops have been withdrawn and General Neame has been left to hold Libya with the under strength and inexperienced 2nd Armored Division, 9th Australian Division and an Indian Brigade. The tanks available are mostly old and more or less worn out. Collectively the Allied units have neither the desert experience of O'Connor's veterans nor the professionalism of Rommel's troops. Rommel has one German division, 5th Light, with a strong tank component and part of four Italian divisions. Rommel has been forbidden to attack by the German High Command and has been told that he will receive no extra forces.

Tuesday, March 25, 1941

In Vienna... The Yugoslav Prime Minister Cvetkovic and the Foreign Minister Cincar-Markovic sign the Tripartite Pact. The reality of the situation and the influence of German pressure is made only too clear by the cold tone of the occasion. Germany agrees to respect Yugoslav sovereignty and not to demand passage for troops.

In Belgrade... There are disturbances in Belgrade when it becomes known that Yugoslavia has signed the Tripartite Pact.

In East Africa... The 5th Indian Division renews its advance toward the Italian blocking position on the Keren road.

Wednesday, March 26, 1941

In the Mediterranean... A night attack by explosive boats of a special Italian unit penetrates Suda Bay in Crete and sinks one tanker and cripples the British cruiser York. Following the claims by German aircraft to have sunk two of the British Mediterranean Fleet's battleships and with the promise of German air support and reconnaissance, Admiral Iachino leads the Italian Fleet on a sortie into the Aegean to disrupt the British convoys to Greece. He has one battleship, six heavy cruisers, two light cruisers and 13 destroyers.

In East Africa... The British forces occupy Harar, Abyssinia. The Italian forces and their new local allies begin an attack on Wingate's Gideon force around Burye (continuing to April 4th). They are beaten off despite their superior strength.

Thursday, March 27, 1941

In Yugoslavia... There is a coup led by air force officers and their Chief of Staff, General Simovic, who becomes the new head of government. The council of Regency and Prince Paul are deposed and the 17-year-old King Peter takes nominal charge of government. British agents have had a hand in bringing the rising about. The change is very popular among the Serbian sections of the population (almost all the leaders of the armed forces are Serbian) but less so with the Croats. In an immediate angry response to the change of government, Hitler issues Directive 25 which order planning for the invasion of Yugoslavia to begin. It is to be mounted as soon as possible and the invasion of Greece is to take place at the same time. Hitler accepts that it may be necessary to defer Barbarossa to allow these new operations to take place.

In Washington... Roosevelt's $7,000,000,000 Appropriations Bill for Lend-Lease passes into law.

In the Mediterranean... British forces set out to do battle with the Italian fleet. Admiral Pridham-Wippell leads four light cruisers and four destroyers from the Piraeus and Admiral Cunningham the main body of three battleships, one carrier and nine destroyers from Alexandria.

In East Africa... The Allied advance clears the Italian road blocks in the Keren position. The Italian force begins to withdraw toward Asmara. The Indian divisions have lost 4000 casualties in the Keren battles and the Italians 3000 dead as well as many wounded.

Friday, March 28, 1941

In the Mediterranean... Battle of Cape Matapan. There is a long-range engagement between Pridham-Wippell's force and some of the Italian cruisers. The Italians suspect that a large British force is present and begin to retire. In the afternoon Swordfish aircraft from the Formidable attack the Italian ships, hitting the battleship Vittorio Veneto and the cruiser Pola. The Vittorio Veneto is able to proceed at reduced speed but the Pola is stopped. In the evening Iachino sends the cruisers Zara and Fiume and for destroyers back to help the Pola. The British ships are pressing on in pursuit hoping to come up with the damaged Vittorio Veneto when, during the night, they find the three Italian cruisers and their escorts on radar. The British approach to close range, without being sighted in return, and in a brief gun battle the cruisers and two destroyers are sunk before they can return fire.

In Belgrade... The British Chief of Staff, General Dill, is in Belgrade for talks with the Yugoslav authorities, but there is little he can offer them and no agreements of any importance are reached.

Saturday, March 29, 1941

In East Africa... Cunningham's South African troops take Diredawa, Abyssinia, in their advance west to Addis Ababa. The local Italian population has appealed to the British for help because of atrocities committed by deserters from the native forces after the Italian part of the garrison has withdrawn.

In the Mediterranean... Battle of Cape Matapan. The British give up the chase and return to port. In whole the operation the British lose two aircraft. The training of the British forces is given some credit for the success.

Sunday, March 30, 1941

In North Africa... Correctly discerning that the British forces are weakly dispersed in positions which prevent mutual support, Rommel brings his forces forward from El Agheila toward Mersa Brega. Only part of 2nd Armored Division is ready to oppose him. The bulk of the Australian Division is near Benghazi and the remainder is back at Tobruk.

In Berlin... Hitler approves the army plans for the attack on Yugoslavia, to begin on April 6th. Hitler also speaks to a conference of 250 top commanders who will have important parts in the Barbarossa operation. He makes it plain to them that the war in the east is to be conducted along different lines to any previous operation. There is to be no talk of proper "knightly" behavior and commissars and Communists are to be treated with utmost severity.

In the United States... The United States takes German, Italian and Danish ships into "protective custody," effectively confiscating them.

Monday, March 31, 1941

In North Africa... Rommel's forces attack the positions of infantry units from the British 2nd Armored Division at Mersa Brega. A fierce battle develops, in which the British come off worst but are able to halt the German advance for the moment. The few tanks with the 2nd Armored Division do not join the battle.

In the Mediterranean... The British cruiser Bonaventure is sunk by a torpedo-boat attack in the eastern Mediterranean.