November 1939

November 3rd, 1939

Germany prepares for War: Germany accelerates weapons production, prioritising tank and aircraft manufacturing for future offensives. The Luftwaffe expands training programmes, focusing on dive-bombing techniques.

Soviet preparations for the Winter War: The Soviet Union demands further territorial concessions from Finland.

Finnish preparations for the Winter War: Finnish diplomats refuse to cede territory, further increasing tensions.

Battle of the Atlantic: The British Royal Navy launches additional counter-submarine patrols in the North Atlantic, attempting to locate and destroy German U-boats operating in the region.

November 4th, 1939

Cash-and-Carry-Treaty: The United States amends its Neutrality Act, allowing the sale of arms to Great Britain and France on a cash-and-carry basis. The move increases transatlantic trade in military supplies, with Britain placing additional orders for aircraft and weaponry.

Preperations Fall Gelb: German military planners discuss refining Fall Gelb, the planned invasion of France and the Low Countries. The focus shifts toward the Ardennes as a potential breakthrough point.

November 5th, 1939

Preparations for the Winter War: Soviet and Finnish border skirmishes intensify, with Red Army units probing Finnish defences. Finland’s military leadership mobilises additional reservists, preparing for potential invasion.

Great Britain prepares for War: The British Expeditionary Force conducts large-scale training exercises in France, preparing for a prolonged defensive campaign against Germany.

Second Sino-Japanese War: Japanese forces continue their offensive in China, seizing control of key supply depots near Nanning. The Nationalist Chinese government appeals for increased Western support.

November 6th, 1939

Holocaust: Germany consolidates its control over occupied Poland, increasing persecution of Jewish populations. SS units initiate widespread arrests of Polish resistance leaders.

Soviet preparations for the Winter War: The Soviet Union continues logistical preparations for an offensive against Finland, transferring additional artillery and armoured divisions to the region.

Great Britain prepares for War: The Royal Air Force launches new aerial reconnaissance flights over the Ruhr industrial region, gathering intelligence on German war production.

November 7th, 1939

Preperations Fall Gelb: The Nazi government intensifies propaganda efforts against Great Britain and France, accusing them of prolonging the war. German newspapers report increased anti-Allied rhetoric, framing the conflict as a defensive struggle against Western aggression.

Soviet preparations for the Winter War: The Soviet military high command finalises operational plans for an invasion of Finland, expecting a swift victory.

November 8th, 1939

Assasination Attempt Hilter: A failed assassination attempt against Adolf Hitler occurs at the Bürgerbräukeller in Munich. The explosion, set by anti-Nazi resistance member Georg Elser, misses Hitler by minutes but causes significant damage. The Gestapo intensifies crackdowns on internal dissent.

Second Sino-Japanese War: Japanese forces in China launch a renewed offensive in Hunan province, encountering strong Chinese resistance.

November 9th, 1939

Great Britain and France support Finland: The British and French governments continue discussions on how to assist Finland should the Soviet Union invade. However, logistical challenges limit immediate military support options.

Preperations Fall Gelb: The German Luftwaffe continues training exercises for potential bombing raids over Britain and France.

November 10th, 1939

Soviet preparations for the Winter War: The Soviet Union moves forward with final invasion preparations against Finland, moving additional combat units toward the border.

Battle of the Atlantic: German U-boats claim several more Allied merchant vessels, prompting the Royal Navy to intensify convoy protection measures.

November 11th, 1939

Battle of the Atlantic: Germany assesses the effectiveness of its U-boat campaign in the Atlantic, considering further expansion of submarine production.

Great Britain prepares for War: The British War Cabinet discusses countering German propaganda efforts, strengthening information campaigns to maintain public morale.

November 12th, 1939

Great Britain and France prepares for War: France and Great Britain increase aerial patrols over the Western Front, tracking German troop movements.

France prepares for War: The French Army refines its defensive posture along the Maginot Line.

Soviet preparations for the Winter War: Soviet troops continue massing near the Finnish border, with an official invasion order expected soon.

November 13th, 1939

Finland prepares for the Winter War: Finnish defensive preparations reach their peak as additional fortifications are built along the Mannerheim Line. The Finnish government warns civilians to prepare for a possible Soviet attack.

Germany prepares for War: Germany advances its military-industrial production, implementing further efficiency measures in war manufacturing.

November 14th, 1939

Great Britain bombs Germany: The Royal Air Force conducts limited bombing raids against German naval targets, testing British bomber effectiveness against heavily fortified positions.

Soviet preparations for the Winter War: The Soviet Army receives final orders for an invasion of Finland, with a launch date set for later in the month.

November 15th, 1939

Battle of the Atlantic: The British Admiralty issues new convoy protection guidelines, further adjusting anti-submarine strategies.

Second Sino-Japanese War: In China, Japanese forces capture several strategic locations in Guangxi province, disrupting Chinese supply routes.

November 16th, 1939

Winter War: The Soviet Union launches a full-scale invasion of Finland, beginning the Winter War. Soviet forces cross the border, expecting a swift victory, but encounter unexpected Finnish resistance. Finnish troops use guerrilla tactics and knowledge of the terrain to slow Soviet advances.

Preperations Fall Gelb: Germany continues preparing for its invasion of France, refining tactical strategies and bolstering its panzer divisions.

Battle of the Atlantic: German U-boats increasing their success against British convoys. The Royal Navy responds by deploying additional escort ships and refining convoy tactics.

Second Sino-Japanese War: Japan continues its offensives in China, securing further control over key supply routes while facing persistent Nationalist resistance.

November 17th, 1939

Winter War: Soviet forces make initial gains along the Finnish border but struggle against heavily fortified positions on the Mannerheim Line. Finnish defenders exploit their knowledge of the harsh terrain, using snipers and ambush tactics to disrupt Red Army advances.

Preperations Fall Gelb: The German High Command intensifies training for armoured divisions, refining Blitzkrieg tactics for the upcoming invasion of France.

November 18th, 1939

Winter War: Heavy fighting erupts along the Karelian Isthmus as Soviet forces attempt a breakthrough. Finnish troops hold their ground, using Molotov cocktails and anti-tank weapons to repel Soviet armour.

Battle of the Atlantic: The British Royal Navy intercepts German U-boat signals, improving its ability to counter submarine attacks in the Atlantic.

November 19th, 1939

Winter War: The Soviet Red Army begins aerial bombardments of Helsinki and other key Finnish cities, targeting military and industrial sites. Finnish anti-aircraft defences attempt to limit the damage.

Preperations Fall Gelb: Germany increases reconnaissance missions over the Low Countries, gathering intelligence for its upcoming western offensive.

November 20th, 1939

Winter War: The Soviet Union deploys additional reinforcements to Finland as Red Army commanders reassess their strategy following unexpected resistance. Soviet casualties begin mounting.

Finnish support in the Winter War: Great Britain and France hold further discussions on whether to provide military aid to Finland, but logistical challenges limit immediate action.

November 21st, 1939

Winter War: Finnish forces conduct successful counterattacks against Soviet units in the north, ambushing enemy supply convoys and using ski troops to move swiftly through snow-covered terrain.

Preperations Fall Gelb: Germany continues stockpiling fuel and resources for its planned western offensive.

November 22nd, 1939

Winter War: The Soviet Army launches another major assault along the Karelian Isthmus, suffering heavy losses against well-prepared Finnish defences.

Great Britain prepares for War: The British War Cabinet approves additional funding for aircraft production, anticipating prolonged aerial engagements with Germany.

November 23rd, 1939

Winter War: The Battle of Tolvajärvi begins as Finnish forces execute a surprise counteroffensive against Soviet troops, inflicting heavy casualties.

Battle of the Atlantic: The Kriegsmarine expands submarine patrols in the North Atlantic, targeting Allied supply convoys bound for Britain.

November 24th, 1939

Winter War: Soviet forces continue struggling to penetrate Finnish defences, suffering from poor logistics and harsh winter conditions.

Preperations Fall Gelb: The German Army refines plans for an armoured thrust through the Ardennes, finalising details of Fall Gelb.

November 25th, 1939

Winter War: Finnish troops successfully encircle and destroy a Soviet regiment near Suomussalmi, demonstrating their ability to fight effectively against larger Red Army formations.

Battle of the Atlantic: Another major British convoy suffers heavy losses due to U-boat attacks, prompting the Royal Navy to reinforce escort formations.

November 26th, 1939

Winter War: Soviet aircraft continue bombing Finnish positions but struggle with poor accuracy and adverse weather conditions. The Finnish government appeals to Western nations for military aid.

Great Britain prepares for War: The Royal Air Force conducts additional reconnaissance missions over German-held territory, gathering intelligence on troop concentrations.

November 27th, 1939

Winter War: Heavy Soviet assaults along the Karelian Isthmus are repelled again as Finnish forces exploit dense forests to set up ambushes.

Preperations Fall Gelb: German High Command orders additional Panzer divisions to be concentrated near the Belgian border in preparation for an early 1940 offensive.

November 28th, 1939

Winter War: The Soviet Union formally denounces the Finnish government and declares the establishment of a pro-Soviet regime in eastern Finland. The Finnish government rejects Soviet demands and vows to continue fighting.

Great Britain prepares for War: The British government authorises increased naval patrols near Norway, concerned about potential German activity in the region.

November 29th, 1939

Winter War: Finnish ski troops harass Soviet supply lines, using rapid hit-and-run attacks to disrupt Red Army logistics. Soviet morale begins to decline as the harsh winter takes a toll on poorly prepared troops.

Preperations Fall Gelb: Germany accelerates preparations for the invasion of Western Europe, finalising logistics for a Blitzkrieg offensive.

November 30th, 1939

Winter War: Soviet forces continue their offensive against Finland, but progress remains slow. Soviet Army commanders reassess strategy, considering a shift toward siege warfare rather than direct assaults.

Battle of the Atlantic: German U-boats increase attacks on Allied shipping. The Royal Navy implements new convoy tactics to minimise losses.