1939

World War II Timeline

March 15, 1939

German troops enter Prague and complete the invasion of Czechoslovakia, ignoring the Munich Pact.

March 31, 1939

Britain declares that it will support Poland.

April 1939

Italy invades Albania.

August, 1939

Allies form non-aggression pacts with Turkey, Greece, Romania, and Poland.

August 23, 1939

Germany and the USSR sign a secret non-agression pact dividing up Poland.

September 1, 1939

Germany invades Poland.

September 3, 1939

Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand declare war on Germany after German forces penetrate deeper into Poland. This marks the beginning of World War II.

September 10, 1939

Canada declares war on Germany.

September 17, 1939

The USSR invades eastern Poland.

September 27, 1939

Poland surrenders to Germany.

November 30, 1939

The Russo-Finnish War begins when the USSR invades Finland.

December 18, 1939

The first Canadian troops arrive in Britain.