February 1939

3 February 1939 Czechoslovakia appeals to Britain and France for firm guarantees of sovereignty as internal pressure from pro-German elements grows. Japanese forces conduct new offensives in northern China, targeting Chinese Nationalist strongholds along the Yellow River.

4 February 1939 Italy intensifies military drills in the Mediterranean, supporting Mussolini’s plans to expand Italian influence in the Balkans and North Africa. German propaganda campaigns escalate, accusing Czechoslovakia of oppressing ethnic Germans and destabilising Central Europe.

5 February 1939 The United States restates its commitment to neutrality but voices concerns over the aggressive actions of Germany, Italy, and Japan. British and French diplomats meet in London to coordinate responses to the deteriorating situation in Eastern Europe.

6 February 1939 The Japanese Navy increases its patrols in the East China Sea, attempting to prevent Chinese coastal resupply by foreign powers. Germany steps up military production, expanding its panzer and Luftwaffe capabilities in preparation for future operations.

7 February 1939 Czechoslovak President Emil Hácha attempts to negotiate with German officials, hoping to preserve national unity amidst rising threats of disintegration. Soviet military officials inspect western frontier defences, anticipating potential clashes with either Germany or Japan.

8 February 1939 France increases training exercises along the German border, reinforcing the Maginot Line and preparing for defensive operations. Japan begins bombing raids on industrial areas in Chongqing, attempting to cripple Chinese war production.

9 February 1939 Hungary strengthens diplomatic ties with Germany, seeking support for territorial revisions against Czechoslovakia and Romania. British intelligence reports heightened German troop activity near Austria and Czechoslovakia, raising fears of a pending invasion.

10 February 1939 The League of Nations debates German and Japanese expansionism, but internal divisions prevent decisive action. Germany increases conscription quotas to expand its armed forces.

11 February 1939 The British Royal Navy conducts naval exercises off the coast of Scotland, testing new convoy protection strategies. China’s Nationalist Army retreats from forward positions under pressure from Japanese attacks in central China.

12 February 1939 Germany opens new military facilities in Silesia and Bavaria, bolstering its infrastructure for war readiness. France finalises an updated contingency plan in the event of a German invasion of Czechoslovakia or Poland.

13 February 1939 Soviet engineers begin improving airfields near the western frontier to accommodate heavier aircraft. Japanese advances in eastern China slow due to stiffening Chinese resistance and difficult terrain.

14 February 1939 Germany holds mass rallies in support of Hitler’s foreign policy. The Nazi regime uses these events to further justify intervention in Czechoslovakia. Britain accelerates defensive planning for potential aerial attacks.

15 February 1939 Japan fortifies its positions in Manchuria amid increased skirmishes with Soviet-backed Mongolian forces. Germany proposes renewed trade deals with Romania, aiming to secure oil and grain for future conflict.

16 February 1939 British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain addresses Parliament, urging preparedness but continuing to advocate for peace through diplomacy. The United States increases naval funding amid growing international tensions.

17 February 1939 German officials travel to Budapest for further negotiations with Hungary on the status of Slovak territories. Japan escalates air raids on Chinese military targets in southern China.

18 February 1939 The Soviet Union issues a formal diplomatic protest to Germany regarding anti-communist propaganda in Eastern Europe. France begins reinforcing its Alpine border with Italy as Mussolini’s rhetoric grows more hostile.

19 February 1939 Czechoslovak officials warn of increased German subversion efforts within Slovakia, prompting internal security crackdowns. Japan issues new war bonds to finance its prolonged campaigns in China.

20 February 1939 Germany tests new tanks in southern Germany, analysing their performance under winter conditions. British and French military attachés in Warsaw report growing Polish anxiety over German intentions.

21 February 1939 Poland increases military drills near the German and Soviet borders, preparing contingency plans in case of invasion from either side. Germany expands military propaganda efforts to justify intervention in Eastern Europe.

22 February 1939 British diplomats in Berlin deliver a message warning against further aggression, though Hitler remains defiant. Japanese forces conduct amphibious landings near the Yangtze River delta, capturing a series of small ports.

23 February 1939 The League of Nations holds emergency discussions but fails to agree on a joint response to Axis aggression. Soviet military advisors begin reviewing defences in Mongolia to counter Japanese incursions.

24 February 1939 France holds a large military parade in Paris, affirming national unity and military readiness in the face of German threats. Italy increases troop deployments in Libya, preparing for future operations against British interests in Egypt.

25 February 1939 China’s Nationalist government calls for greater Western support against Japan. However, British and American responses remain limited. Germany finalises deployment schedules for troops near Czechoslovakia and Poland.

26 February 1939 Polish intelligence intercepts German signals indicating heightened military alertness. The Soviet Union authorises additional industrial output for tank and aircraft production.

27 February 1939 The German military begins transporting heavy artillery units toward the Czech border. Britain accelerates civilian air raid precautions, distributing gas masks in major cities.

28 February 1939 Japan continues efforts to isolate China diplomatically, increasing pressure on neutral nations to cease aid. As the month ends, tensions in Europe and Asia remain high. Germany prepares for further expansion, Japan presses deeper into China, and the major powers edge closer to conflict.