The WW2 Letters of Private Melvin W. Johnson - WW2 Timeline: Pre-war

The WW2 Letters of Private Melvin W. Johnson

1919

4 Jan
As part of the ongoing civil war in Russia, Bolshevik forces capture Riga in an attempt to reincorporate the former Russian province. They establish a government, but it is short-lived. With backing from Britain and France, German and Latvian troops evict the invaders. However, the Germans try to take over Riga until forced to return home by their backers on 3 July.
18 Jan
Various victorious leaders assemble in Paris to discuss the terms on which peace should be agreed with the defeated Central Powers. They include President Woodrow Wilson of the United States, British Prime Minister Lloyd George, French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau, and the Italian Prime Minister, Vittorio Emanuele Orlando.
21 Jan
Sinn Fein ("Ourselves Alone"), an Irish nationalist group, declares Ireland independent, sparking a rebellion against the British. There is fighting between Catholic nationalists and local Protestants, who favor maintaining links with Britain.
3 Feb
Revolutionary Bolshevik forces occupy Kief as the first part of an advance that will see them evist the French troops occupying the Black Sea port of Odessa on 18 December. The French have been supplying anti-Bolshevik "White" Russians.
28 Mar
The pro-Russian regime of Béla Kun initiates a war with Czechoslovakia by indvading Slovakia, which has a large Hungarian minority.
10 Apr
Romanian troops invade Hungary to forestall any Hungarian attempts to take over Transylvania, which has been occupied by Romania since the end of World War I.
13 Apr
Against a background of growing friction between Muslims and Hindus and the campaign of civil disobedience by supporters of former lawyer Mahatma Gandhi, British troops commanded by General Reginald Dyer commit a major atrocity at Amritsar in the Punjab. Dyer has been ordered to restore order following a riot in which several Europeans have been killed. His troops open fire on civilians, killing 379 and wounding 1208. Dyer avoids major official censure.
7 May
Various representives gather at the Palace of Versailles, France, to finalize the peace treaty with Germany.
15 May
A Greek force lands at Smyrna on the coast of Asia Minor, as Turkey descends into civil strife and the victors of World War I squabble over what peace settlements to impose on the country. The Greeks, long-standing enemies of the Turks, commit various atrocities against civilians, prompting patriotic Turkis elements under Mustafa Kemal to form a new nationalist government.
22 Jun
With formal backing from various allies, chiefly Britain, Greek forces in Turkish Asia Minor embark on a military campaign to crush the nationalists led by Mustafa Kemal.
28 Jun
The Treaty of Versailles is signed in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, France. The severity of the treaty came as a shock to the Germans present.
2 Sep
"White" Russians under General Anton Denikin drive into Bolshevik Russia, capturing Kiev. The "White" General Peter Wrangel's Caucasian Army has already captured Tsaritsin on June 17, but fails to meet up with Admiral Alexander Kolchak's Volunteer Army, which has been pushed back through the Urals. Wrangel retreats.
10 Sep
The Austrians sign the Teaty of St. Germain at Versailles. Austria surrenders a large percentage of its German-speaking population as various territories are redistributed to Italy, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Romania. Its army is reduced to 30,000 men and Anschluss ("Union") with Germany is forbidden.
24 Oct
"White" General Peter Krasnov's Don Army, advancing on Voronezh, is counterattacked by the Red Army and retreats. Exploiting the victory, the Red Army strikes westward, recapturing Kiev on 17 December. The "Whites" retreat to the Black Sea.
8 Dec
The victors of World War I attempt to settle territorial disputes between Poland and Russia by demarcating a new border. This is known as the "Curzon Line" and follows the Bug River. However, it is unacceptable to the Polish government, which is intent on taking over former Polish territories to the east of the river, a move likely to provoke war.

1920

7 Feb
Captured "White" Russian Admiral Alexander Kolchak is executed by the Bolsheviks. His execution marks the end of serious opposition to the Bolsheviks in Siberia. The Bolsheviks now turn to deal with the "Whites" in the Ukraine.
27 Mar
The defeated "White" forces on the Black Sea escape surrender to the Red Army thanks to an evacuation carried out by British warships. This leaves just General Peter Wrangel's forces in the Crimea opposing the Bolsheviks. He launches an offensive northward in June but is forced to retreat back into the Crimea by early November.
23 Apr
A provisional nationalist government headed by World War I hero Mustafa Kemal is proclaimed in Ankara.
25 Apr
Polish forces under General Józef Klemens Pilsudski launch an ambitious pre-emptive strike into the Russian-controlled Ukraine. Both Poland and Russia have claims to each other's territory. The Polish operation stalls in early May as the Russians plan a counterattack.
15 May
Russian forces in the Ukraine under Marshall Mikhail Tukhachevski and General Semen Budenny counterattack General Józef Pilsudski's Polish forces. Pilsudski's army is in danger of being surrounded and is pushed into headlong retreat. Warsaw, the Polish capital, is under threat by August.
4 Jun
The Hungarians sign the Treaty of Trianon in France. It confirms that Hungary will lose two-thirds of its former territories. Among those benefiting from Trianon are Romania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia), which gains Croatia and Slavonia. Hungary's armed forces are restricted to just 35,000 men.
14 Aug
The government signs what becomes known as the Little Entente with Yugoslavia, chiefly to prevent Hungary taking back the lands given to both of the former at the Treaty of Trianon.
16-25 Aug
Polish forces launch a counterattack against the Russian armies arrayed around Warsaw. The attack smashes through the Russian center, forcing the two wings to retreat eastward and to the north. Russian casualties total 150,000 men; the Poles 50,000. The Poles pursue the mauled Russians eastward, and they are fighting on Russian soil by the middle of September.
20 Aug
Turky accepts the Treaty of Sevres, which effectively signals the end of the old Turkish Empire.
12 Oct
The authorities agree an armistice with the Poles, who have inflicted a number of defeats on them over the previous months. The armistice is ratified by the Treaty of Riga signed on 18 March. The Poles have saved their country from occupation by Russia's Bolshevik regime, but a legacy of bitterness between the two Eastern European neighbors remains.
14 Oct
The Finns finally win independence from Russia in the Treaty of Dorpat.
14 Nov
General Peter Wrangel's "White" forces are evacuated from the Crimea and transferred to Constantinople by British warships. This marks the end of the effective opposition to the Bolsheviks.

1921

23 Mar
The Greeks renew their offensive deeper into Asia Minor, which started in January but was halted at the First Battle of Inönü. The Second Battle of Inönü on 28-30 March initially goes well for the Greeks, but the Turks finally defeat a succession of offensives.
16-17 Jun
As part of their continuing attempts to secure territory in Asia Minor, the Greeks under King Constantine launch an offensive toward Afyon. Despite suffering high casualties in the intense fighting, the Turks are able to withdraw to the east. The Greek advance halts at the Sakkaria River due to exhaustion and supply shortages.
24 Aug-6 Sep
The Battle of Sakkaria, part of the ongoing Greek-Turkish War, takes place. After several days of bitter fighting the Greeks under King Constantine are forced to retreat.
12 Nov
Several of the world's leading powers meet in Washington. They make several treaties designed to prevent any future war. The Four-Power Act is signed on 13 December. It agrees that Britain, France, Japan, and the United States will be consulted over any problems arising in the Pacific between any two of the signatories to the act. An attached document states that they will respect each signatory's right to its colonial possessions and mandated territories in the region.
A further agreement, the Five-Power Naval Limitation Treaty, is signed by Britain, France, Italy, Japan, and the United States, on 6 February, 1922. The signatories agree to scrap a large number of warships and set the relative strengths of the battleships in their fleets. They also are to cut back their shipbuilding programs for the next 10 years.
A final document, the Nine-Power Pact, agrees to respect China's territorial integrity. Aside from the five states already mentioned, it is signed by Belgium, China, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

1922

18 Aug
Turkish nationalists under Mustafa Kemal launch a major offensive against the Greek forces occupying the coastal fringe of Asia Minor. The Greeks are compelled to fall back. The Greek armies collapse, allowing the Turks to capture Smyrna on 11 September. Its fall destroys the Greek presence in Asia Minor. Kemal next turns his attention toward Constantinople, which is occupied by foreign powers.
3-11 October
Turkish nationalists and the various foreign powers occupying Constantinople agree to the Convention of Mudania, restoring Thrace and the city of Adrianople to Turkey, and making the Dardanelles neutral.
28 October
Fascist leader Benito Mussolini leads his followers, the "Blackshirts", on what becomes known as the "March on Rome". Mussolini forces the government and king to give him dictatorial powers on 28 November and he initiates a reign of terror against leftwing opponents, which lasts from 1923 to 1925.
30 Dec
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics comes into existence following the communist victory in the Russian Cival War. It initially comprises four soviet federated republics: The Russian, the Transcaucasian, the Ukranian, and the Belorussian.

1923

24 Jul
In Turkey, the Treaty of Lausanne is agreed, effectively repealing the much of the Treaty of Sevres, which was imposed on Turkey in 1919. Under its provisions, Turkey regains much of Thrace from Greece and confirms that it well end all claims in the Middle East and elsewhere.
8-11 Nov
Extreme rightwingers of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazis) under Adolf Hitler stage a coup in Munich, intending to overthrow the Bavarian government. However, the coup, known as the "Munich Putsch", ends in farce. Hitler is tried for treason and sentenced to five years in Prison. However, he serves just 9 months, spending the time writing a personal testament, Mein Kampf (My Struggle). On his release, Hitler continues his political aspirations.

1924

26 Nov
Mongolian communists announce the formation of the Mongolian People's Republic.

1925

5-16 Oct
Various nations meet under the aegis of the League of Nations, discussions centered on creating a framework to provide a degree of security in Europe.

1926

26 Mar
Chinese Nationalist forces under General Chiang Kai-shek capture the city of Nanking.
12 Apr
Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist forces seize Shanghai in a move to prevent perceived subversion by both Chinese communists and leftwingers in the Kuomintang's national government.
12-14 May
The government is overthrown and a dictatorship headed by Marshal Jósef Pilsudski takes power.
27 Nov
Italy signs the Treaty of Tirana with Albania in which both agree to respect the territorial integrity of the other.

1927

18 Sep
Germany President Paul von Hindenburg rejects German responsibility for World War I, thereby denying a key part of the Treaty of Versailles.
22 Nov
The Italy government agrees the Second Treaty of Tirana with Albania. Under its provisions Albania becomes an Italian protectorate.

1929

6 Feb
The German government accepts the Kellogg-Briand Pact, renouncing aggressive war. Among the signatories are Britain, France, Italy, Japan, and the United States.
24 Oct
The US stock market crashes, heralding a period of worldwide economic failure, which becomes known as the "Great Depression".

1932

8 Nov
Democratic contender Franklin Delano Roosevelt wins the presidential election in a landslide victory over incumbent Republican Herbert Hoover.
17 Nov
German chancellor, Franz von Papen, resigns amid growing political unrest.

1933

30 Jan
Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazi Party, becomes chancellor following the resignation of Franz von Papen. Hitler refused the post the previous November as he was denied absolute power.
23 Mar
The Reichstag passes a bill granting Hitler wide-ranging powers.
14 Oct
The German government resigns its seat in the League of Nations after disagreeing with plans to curb the expansion of armed forces and the growth of armaments production.

1934

30 Jun
In an action known as "The Night of the Long Knives", 70 members of the Nazi Party are murdered in a purge ordered by Adolf Hitler, who believes they are a threat to his absolute authority.
2 Aug
German President Paul von Hindenburg dies, allowing his chancellor, Adolf Hitler, to assume dictatorial powers by combining the posts of chancellor and president. It also makes Hitler the supreme commander of all of the country's armed forces. Hitler receives the title of Führer of the German Third Reich.
18 Sep
The Soviet Union joins the League of Nations.

1935

16 Mar
Hitler rejects the disarmament terms of the Treaty of Versailles, claiming that other nations are rearming. He embarks on a rearmaments program and reintroduces conscription.
16 May
The Soviet Union signs an alliance with Czechoslovakia to curb German expansionism into Eastern Europe.
3 Oct
Italian forces invade Ethiopia. Italian dictator Benito Mussolini's plan is to create an Italian empire in northern and eastern Africa.

1936

5 May
Invading Italian forces capture the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. Four days later, Italy formally annexes Ethiopia. Together with Eritrea and Italian Somaliland, it comprises Italian East Africa.
27 Oct
Italy agrees not to oppose the planned German takeover of Austria, while Germany pledges to recognize the legitimacy of Italy's conquest of Ethiopia.
25 Nov
The German government signs the Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan reinforcing the existing German-Italian power base, which opposes the French and Russian alliance.

1937

7 Jul
Japanese forces clash with Chinese units near the Marco Polo Bridge to the northeast of of Beijing. The incident is engineered by the Japanese and heralds a full-scale invasion of China. The initial Japanese attacks are overwhelmingly successful. Beijing falls on the 28th and Tientsin the following day. Despite increasing Chinese resistance and problems of resupply, the Japanese capture most of China north of the Yellow River by the end of the year.
5 Nov
Adolf Hitler meets with his senior military commanders and foreign minister. The secret discussions center on his plans for gaining Lebenstraum (living room). He expects Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and the Soviet Union to be seized by force between 1938 and 1943.
11 Dec
The Italian government announces its withdrawal from the League of Nations.
13 Dec
Japanese forces capture the city of Nanking. Its fall is followed by several weeks of slaughter and looting by the Japanese with an estimated 42,000 civilians killed.

1938

12 Mar
Hitler orders the take-over of Austria. The operation is completed the next day.
11 Jul
Fighting breaks out between the Soviet Union and Japan, which is occupying Manchuria and Korea, over a disputed border.
15 Sep
Hitler demands that Czechoslovakia give up its province of Sudetenland.
29 Sep
The Munich Pact is signed. Adolf Hitler, accompanied by Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop, meets with several European statesmen at Munich. Among these are Italain dictator Benito Mussolini, his foreign minister, Count Ciano, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, and Edouard Daladier, France's prime minister. Aware of their military weakness, both Britain and France believe that by acceding to Hitler's claims on Czechoslovakia, they can secure a long-lasting peace in Europe. Hitler, indicating this is his last territorial demand in Europe, is effectively given a free hand and the Sudentenland is incorporated into Germany.
21 Oct
Japanese forces capture Canton from the Chinese.
2 Nov
Germany grants Hungary a large part of former Czech territory for the support it offered during the annexation of the Sudetenland.
9-10 Nov
Adolf Hitler's supporters launch attacks on Germany's Jewish community and their property, particularly synagogues. The events become known as Kristallnacht ("Crystal Night") because of the shards of window glass that litter the roads and sidewalks outside Jewish properties. Kristallnacht marks an intensification in the persecution of Germany's Jews, who have already lost their legal rights as citizens.

1939 (through 31 August)

12 Jan
United States President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, requests Congress to approve a defense budget of $552 million, marking a significant rise in military spending.
10 Mar
Adolf Hitler begins the annexation of Bohemia and Moravia, both part of Czechoslovakia with large German populations. The operation, which is in direct violation of the Munich Pact, is completed by the 16th. Czechoslovakia ceases to exist, with only Slovakia remaining nominally independent.
14 Mar
German troops occupy Prague
23 Mar
Adolf Hitler orders the annexation of Memel, Lithuania, and demands the return of the "Polish Corridor" and Danzig from Poland. His actions spark intense defensive negotiations between Britain and the Soviet Union over the following months.
31 Mar
The British government guarantees to aid Poland if the latter country is the victim of any external agression. The arrangement is a final attempt to prevent Hitler from taking over the country, but Britain is ill-prepared to offer any immediate military aid to Poland.
7 Apr
Italian forces invade Albania and quickly conquer the country.
11 Apr
Hungary withdraws from the League of Nations.
28 Apr
Adolf Hitler rejects Germany's 1934 non-agression pact with Poland and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement signed in 1935.
3 May
Maksim Litvinov, considered to be supportive of the Western democracies, is replaced as foreign minister by Vyacheslav Molotov.
22 May
The Italian government agress closer military ties with Germany. The strengthened alliance becomes known as the "Pact of Steel".
23 May
Adolf Hitler orders his military hig command to begin planning the invasion of Poland.
14 June
Japanese blockade British concession at Tientsin, China
22 Aug
Adolf Hitler gives his final approval for the invasion of Poland, and German forces move to their war stations along Poland's western border.
23 Aug
Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop signs a non-agression pact with the Soviet Union's foreign minister, Vyacheslav Molotov, in Moscow. The Soviet Union agrees not to oppose the German invasion of Poland and both countries agree to divide Poland between them. The Soviet leadership believes the agreement will give them time to reorganize their military forces, whose officer corps has been decimated by purges instigated by Joseph Stalin.
Japan withdraws from the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany and Italy following the former's surprise alliance with the Soviet Union concerning the immediate fate of Poland.