October 1939

October 3rd, 1939

German occupation of Poland: Germany begins systematic repression in occupied Poland, rounding up intellectuals, political leaders, and military officers for execution or imprisonment. The SS establishes the first internment camps for Polish prisoners.

Soviet occupation of Poland: The Soviet Union solidifies control over eastern Poland, integrating occupied territories into Soviet administrative regions. Red Army units continue arresting Polish officers and government officials, many of whom will later be executed or deported to Siberia.

Battle of the Atlantic: German U-boats increase their attacks on Allied merchant ships, marking an escalation in the Battle of the Atlantic.

October 4th, 1939

Great Britain at War: The British Royal Air Force increases reconnaissance missions over Germany, monitoring military build-up and industrial targets.

Great Britain at War: The British War Cabinet debates potential bombing operations but refrains from immediate action.

Italy prepares for War in North Africa: Italy reinforces its military presence in Libya, conducting extensive war games in preparation for potential hostilities.

Second Sino-Japanese War: Japanese forces continue to clash with Chinese troops in Changsha, suffering high casualties.

October 5th, 1939

Soviet Union preparations for the Winter War: The Soviet Union proposes diplomatic talks with Finland, demanding territorial concessions. Finnish leaders refuse to cede land, raising tensions between the two nations.

Preperations Fall Gelb: Hitler orders the planning of Fall Gelb, the invasion of France and the Low Countries. German military strategists begin assessing potential attack routes.

Second Sino-Japanese War: Japanese bombers strike supply depots along the Chinese front, disrupting Nationalist operations.

October 6th, 1939

Fall Weiß: The last remaining Polish forces between the Bug and Vistula rivers, some 8,000 men, surrender at 10:00.

Hitler offers peace to Great Britain and France: Hitler delivers a speech to the Reichstag, declaring victory in Poland and offering Britain and France peace terms. The Allies reject the proposal, recognising it as an attempt to legitimise German territorial expansion.

Soviet preparations for the Winter War: The Soviet Red Army continues preparations for potential operations against Finland, reinforcing border positions.

Second Sino-Japanese War: The First Battle of Changsha ends. The Chinese 98th Infantry Division of the Chinese 9th War Area recaptures Pingchiang. It is a major Chinese victory, with some 40,000 Japanese dead from their 120,000-man army. The Japanese also have lost vast quantities of arms in the battle.

October 7th, 1939

German occupation of Poland: German forces complete the disbandment of the Polish military and begin recruiting ethnic Germans in Poland into auxiliary forces. Polish underground resistance groups form in response to German occupation policies.

Polish Resistance: Polish underground resistance groups form in response to German occupation policies.

Second Sino-Japanese War: Fierce battles continue in Guangxi province as Japanese forces attempt to seize key railway hubs.

October 8th, 1939

German annexes the occupied areas: Germany formally annexes western Poland into the Reich, including Poznań, Pomerania, and parts of Silesia. The remaining occupied areas are placed under the General Government, ruled by Hans Frank.

Soviet Union forces Estonia into Alliance: The Soviet Union pressures Estonia into signing a mutual assistance pact, granting the Soviets the right to station troops on Estonian soil.

Second Sino-Japanese War: Japan reinforces its positions in Indochina, preparing for further territorial expansion.

October 9th, 1939

Preperations Fall Gelb: Germany issues directives for the invasion of France and the Low Countries. The Ober Kommando des Heeres refines operational details for a western campaign.

Great Britain prepares for War in the Mediterranean: The British Royal Navy increases its patrols near Malta in response to potential Italian aggression.

October 10th, 1939

Soviet Union forces Latvia into Alliance: The Soviet Union issues an ultimatum to Latvia, demanding military bases and a mutual assistance pact. The Latvian government reluctantly agrees under the threat of force.

Second Sino-Japanese War: Nationalist Chinese forces launch a counteroffensive against Japanese troops near Nanchang.

October 11th, 1939

Great Britain and France prepare for War: Great Britain and France continue defensive preparations along the Western Front, reinforcing the Maginot Line and expanding air patrols over Germany.

United States about Japan: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt expresses concern over Japanese expansion, warning against aggression in Southeast Asia.

October 12th, 1939

Holocaust: The Nazi government orders the deportation of Polish Jews from annexed territories into the General Government, marking an early stage in German racial policies.

October 13th, 1939

Battle of the Atlantic: The German Navy suffers a setback when U-47 successfully infiltrates the British naval base at Scapa Flow and sinks H.M.S. Royal Oak, a British battleship. The attack shocks the Royal Navy, highlighting vulnerabilities in British naval defences. As a response, the British Admiralty orders enhanced anti-submarine measures and relocates key naval assets.

Battle of the Atlantic: German U-boats continue targeting Allied merchant shipping. The British Royal Navy increases convoy escorts, implementing new tactical formations to mitigate losses.

Italy prepares for War in North Africa: Italian naval forces conduct further manoeuvres near Malta, prompting concerns from British intelligence. The Royal Navy dispatches additional reconnaissance flights to monitor Italian activities.

Second Sino-Japanese War: Japanese forces intensify their bombardment of Chinese positions around Changsha, seeking to break Chinese resistance. The Chinese Nationalist Army, supported by local militias, launches counterattacks to repel the Japanese assault.

October 14th, 1939

Soviet Union forces Lithuania into Alliance: The Soviet Union continues expanding its influence in the Baltic region, forcing Lithuania into a mutual assistance pact. Soviet forces begin stationing troops in the country, mirroring actions taken in Estonia and Latvia.

Battle of the Atlantic: German U-boats intensify attacks on Allied convoys. British and French naval forces increase patrols, implementing new counter-submarine measures.

October 15th, 1939

German Occupation of Poland: Germany strengthens its occupation of Poland, increasing surveillance and suppression of Polish resistance movements. SS units expand mass arrests, targeting Polish elites and potential resistance leaders.

Second Sino-Japanese War: Japanese forces launch renewed attacks on Chinese positions in Guangxi Province, pushing toward Nanning. Heavy casualties mount on both sides as the Chinese Army attempts to hold its defensive lines.

October 16th, 1939

Battle of the North Sea: The Luftwaffe conducts another air raid on British naval assets in the North Sea, testing the effectiveness of British air defences. The RAF scrambles fighters in response, but engagement is limited.

Soviet preparations for the Winter War: The Soviet Union increases pressure on Finland, demanding further territorial adjustments.

Finnish preparations for the Winter War: Finnish military commanders begin reviewing defensive plans in anticipation of potential conflict.

October 17th, 1939

Preperations Fall Gelb: The German High Command refines its plans for the invasion of France, considering alterations to Fall Gelb. A shift toward a breakthrough strategy through the Ardennes forest is increasingly discussed.

Italy prepares for War: Italian naval forces conduct fleet manoeuvres near the Greek islands, raising concerns among British and French military planners.

October 18th, 1939

Soviet preparations for the Winter War: The Soviet Red Army increases troop concentrations along the Finnish border.

Finnish preparations for the Winter War: Finnish leaders refuse to negotiate territorial concessions, preparing for possible Soviet aggression.

Operation Tannenberg: German forces in occupied Poland begin the systematic execution of Polish intellectuals and military officers as part of Operation Tannenberg.

October 20th, 1939

Great Britain and France prepare for War: French military units continue reinforcing the Maginot Line, while British troops increase their presence in France. The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) trains for defensive operations.

Second Sino-Japanese War: Japanese forces reinforce positions in Wuhan following Chinese counteroffensives. The Chinese Army regroups, planning further resistance operations in central China.

October 20th, 1939

Battle of the Atlantic: The British Royal Navy continues developing convoy protection tactics as German U-boat attacks escalate. The first major refinements to convoy formations and anti-submarine warfare tactics are implemented.

Germany prepares for War: Germany begins constructing defensive fortifications along the Siegfried Line in preparation for potential Allied counterattacks.

October 21st, 1939

Soviet Union forces Latvia into Alliance: The Soviet Union concludes military transit agreements with Latvia, deploying additional Red Army divisions into the Baltic region.

Germany prepares for War: German military intelligence reports increased Allied military coordination, particularly in naval operations.

October 22nd, 1939

Germany prepares for War: The German government intensifies propaganda efforts against Great Britain and France, portraying them as aggressors unwilling to negotiate peace. German radio broadcasts aim to weaken morale in enemy nations.

Second Sino-Japanese War: Japanese forces conduct large-scale bombing raids on Chongqing, targeting key infrastructure and military positions. Civilian casualties rise as Japanese bombing campaigns continue.

October 23rd, 1939

Battle of the Atlantic: Multiple British merchant vessels are sunk by German U-boats. The British Admiralty authorises additional destroyer escorts to counter the submarine threat.

Soviet preparations for the Winter War: The Soviet Union continues diplomatic engagements with Finland, demanding territorial concessions under the pretext of security concerns.

Finnish preparations for the Winter War: Finnish leaders maintain their refusal to comply.

October 24th, 1939

Germany prepares for War: German military leaders finalise preparations for winter operations, shifting logistics to account for potential prolonged engagements in the west.

France prepares for War: French military command increases reconnaissance flights over the German frontier, assessing Wehrmacht defensive deployments.

October 25th, 1939

Germany prepares for War: Germany strengthens its industrial war production, ramping up armaments manufacturing in preparation for its western offensive. Luftwaffe aircraft production is prioritised.

Japan prepares for War: Japan expands military operations in Southeast Asia, preparing contingency plans for further territorial expansion.

October 26th, 1939

Great Britain prepares for War: The British government issues further rationing measures as preparations for a long war continue. Civil defence organisations increase readiness for potential German air raids.

October 27th, 1939

Preperations Fall Gelb: German military leaders assess strategies for bypassing the Maginot Line, continuing war games to test various invasion scenarios.

Holocaust: In occupied Poland, German forces intensify persecution against Jewish communities, implementing new measures restricting movement and economic participation.

October 28th, 1939

Second Sino-Japanese War: Japanese forces in China consolidate recent territorial gains, constructing supply depots and reinforcing defensive positions. Chinese guerrilla resistance increases in rural areas, launching sabotage operations against Japanese supply lines.

October 29th, 1939

Soviet preparations for the Winter War: The Soviet Union continues to deploy additional forces near the Finnish border, finalising invasion plans in the event of Finnish non-compliance.

Great Britain and France prepare for War: The British and French militaries refine their defensive coordination, reviewing plans for potential counteroffensive actions should Germany launch an attack.

October 30th, 1939

Battle of the Atlantic: The German Kriegsmarine continues refining naval warfare tactics, integrating newly developed technologies in submarine warfare.

Great Britain prepares for War: British air defences conduct further training exercises, simulating responses to potential Luftwaffe bombing raids.

October 31st, 1939

The Winter War negotiations: The Soviet-Finnish negotiations collapse, increasing the likelihood of imminent military conflict.

Finnish preparations for the Winter War: Finland reinforces its defensive lines along the Karelian Isthmus, expecting a Soviet invasion.

Battle of the Atlantic: The British Royal Navy deploys additional escort ships in the Atlantic, implementing new convoy protection strategies to counter the growing U-boat threat.