Events of 1942 - WW2 Timeline (January 1st - December 31st, 1942)
With the Americans now on board, the Allies went on the offensive with the Operation Torch landings in North Africa.
The new year would see the industrial might of both the United States and Soviet Union brought to full use as the Allies were finally in a position to move to the offensive. Key campaigns became the Battle of the Solomons, Kharkov, Midway and El Alamein among others and set the stage for the second half of the war that would follow.
There are a total of [ 360 ] Events of 1942 - WW2 Timeline (January 1st - December 31st, 1942) events in the Second World War timeline database. Entries are listed below by date-of-occurrence ascending (first-to-last). Other leading and trailing events may also be included for perspective.
Sunday, November 15th, 1942
Australian forces continue their march from the west against Japanese-held areas.
Wednesday, December 9th, 1942
The Australian Army liberates the village of Gona from the hold of the Japanese Amry.
Monday, December 14th, 1942
Allied Australian and US forces continued their maches against the Japanese, taking territory through fierce firefights.
Monday, July 6th, 1942
The Soviet city of Voronezh falls to the German Army.
Wednesday, July 1st - July 31st, 1942
The Allies received word on the construction of a strategic Japanese airfield (Henderson Field) on the island of Guadalcanal, part of the Solomon Islands. As such, plans are set in motion to curtail construction of the endeavor. US Navy and Marine forces spring into action.
Thursday, August 6th, 1942
US Navy and Marine forces position themselves near Guadalcanal.
Friday, August 7th, 1942
Amphibious forces spearheaded by the United States Marines begin against the Japanese-held island of Guadalcanal.
Saturday, August 8th, 1942
The amphibious landings largely conclude by this date.
Saturday, August 8th, 1942
By the end of the day and facing next to no opposition, the US soldiers capture and secure Henderson Field.
Saturday, August 8th, 1942
Naval battles ultimately ensure between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the United States Navy for control of Guadalcanal.
Saturday, August 8th, 1942
Japanese bombers attack US forces at Henderson Field.
Saturday, August 8th, 1942
Just outside of Guadalcanal, the islands of Tulagi and Gavutu fall to the Allies.
Tuesday, August 18th, 1942
A Japanese counteroffensive sees an amphibious landing take place at Taivu. This landing zone is just 32 miles east of Henderson Field.
Thursday, August 20th, 1942
The first of thirty-one US fighter aircraft arrive at Henderson Field.
Friday, August 21st, 1942
Japanese ground forces attempt attacks against Henderson Field and American forces at Tenaru. The Japanese troops make little headway and are themselves encircled.
Saturday, August 22nd, 1942
The Japanese attackers at Henderson Field and Tenaru are ultimately destroyed, forcing Colonel Ichiki to commit ritual suicide.
Sunday, August 23rd, 1942
The Battle of the Eastern Solomons begins.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
The US Navy claims a Japanese aircraft carrier. The carrier is attacked and sunk.
Monday, September 7th, 1942
US Marines enact a surprise amphibious landing against Japanese strongholds at Taivu.
Tuesday, September 8th, 1942
The US Marine landings result in the destruction of vital Japanese supplies and the recovery of important operational data.
Saturday, September 12th, 1942
Some 6,000 Japanese Army personnel are used in a final thrust against the Americans at Henderson field. Among the attackers is the Japanese 35th Brigade.
Sunday, September 13th, 1942
Japanese forces come within a half-a-mile of Henderson Field before being stopped and, ultimately, driven back.
Monday, September 14th, 1942
At the end of the Henderson Field offensive, the fanatical Japanese have lost at least 1,200 soldiers in the fighting.
Tuesday, September 15th - October 7th, 1942
The Japanese begin building up their forces to reclaim Henderson Field.
Saturday, October 10th, 1942
Japanese reinforcements are shipped to the west and disembarked at Tenaro, some 20 miles from American forces.
Friday, October 23rd, 1942
Some 20,000 Japanese fighters, including elements of the 2nd Division and 17th Army, undertake a new offensive under the direction of General Maruyama.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
After some 3,500 casualties are netted against the Japanese attackers, the offensive stalls and is ultimately called off.
Sunday, November 1st - January 31st, 1942
Neither force can claim much action during this span. In time, US forces number some 58,000 troops while Japan can claim 20,000-strong.
Friday, January 9th, 1942
The Japanese begin their offensive against the dug-in American forces on the Bataan Peninsula.
Friday, January 23rd, 1942
The American defensive lines finally break.
Sunday, January 11th, 1942
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaya, falls to the invading Japanese 5th Division.
Thursday, January 15th, 1942
Japanese forces invade Burma beginning their assault at Victoria Point.
Monday, January 19th, 1942
The Japanese Army makes short work of the light British defenses, covering some 230 miles in reaching Tavoy.
Sunday, January 11th, 1942
Three Japanese amphibious forces take on the Dutch East Indies.
Saturday, February 14th, 1942
By this time, the Japanese have captured Borneo, Celebes and Sarawak.
Sunday, February 15th, 1942
Singapore eventually falls to the might of the Japanese assault resulting in the capture of some 60,000 Allied prisoners against the cost of 2,000 Japanese soldiers.
Thursday, February 19th, 1942
The Japanese 1st Air Fleet conducts a surprise attack on Allied ships at Broome and Darwin. Twelve ships are sunk in the assault.
Sunday, March 8th, 1942
By this date, the Japanese capture the Dutch East Indies with the occupations of Bali, Timor and Java.
Sunday, March 8th, 1942
Japan invades New Guinea.
Sunday, March 8th, 1942
Rangoon, Burma falls to the Japanese.
Sunday, March 8th, 1942
The British Burma Army escapes anhilation in Burma.
Thursday, April 1st, 1942
The Japanese aircraft carrier Ryujo enters the Bay of Bengal.
Thursday, April 9th, 1942
American forces fighting on the Bataan Peninsula finally surrender to the Japanese.
Friday, April 3rd, 1942
No fewer than five Japanese Navy aircraft carriers reach the Indian Ocean.
Saturday, April 4th, 1942
A small contingent of British Royal Navy vessels operating in the Indian Ocean are warned of the arriving Japanese Navy force.
Saturday, April 4th, 1942
Admiral Sir James Somerville detaches a force to intercept the arriving Japanese fleet.
Monday, April 6th, 1942
The Imperial Japanese Navy unleashes a surprise attack, with some 120 aircraft, on British forces at Columbo Harbor, Ceylon.
Monday, April 6th, 1942
Twenty-six Allied aircraft are destroyed.
Monday, April 6th, 1942
The British Royal Navy cruisers HMS Cornwall and HMS Dorsetshire are sunk by the Japanese air strike.
Monday, April 6th, 1942
The British Royal Navy destroyer HMS Tenedos is sunk by the Japanese air strike.
Thursday, April 9th, 1942
An 85-strong Japanese Navy aircraft contingent attacks airfields and targets of opportunity at Trincomalee, Ceylon.
Thursday, April 9th, 1942
The HMS Hermes is one of four Royal Navy ships sunk by Japanese Navy aircraft.
Wednesday, May 6th, 1942
Corregidor Island falls to the Japanese, giving the invaders control over Manila Bay.
Tuesday, May 5th, 1942
The Japanese enact an offensive to take Corregidor Island, a strategic point providing access to Manila Bay.
Friday, May 15th, 1942
Burma falls to the Japanese.
Monday, August 31st, 1942
By this date, the Japanese have completed their takeovers of the Caroline Islands, the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Marianas Islands and a portion of the Solomon Islands. This is the farthest that the Japanese Empire would reach in the Pacific.
Sunday, May 3rd, 1942
Forces of the Imperial Japanese Army land at Tulagi of the Solomons island group. Subsequent develop ensures a base of operations for Japanese logistics in the region.
Sunday, May 3rd, 1942
An Imperial Japanese Navy carrier force sets sail on patrol around the Solomons looking for American carrier battle groups.
Sunday, May 3rd, 1942
American intelligence intercepts various Japanese communications and is able to piece together the intention to invade Port Moresby, New Guinea.
Monday, May 4th, 1942
USS Yorktown launched strike aircraft south of Guadalcanal. At 6:30AM, the American Navy aircraft spot and subsequently target Japanese land emplacements and sea vessels in the area.
Monday, May 4th, 1942
The Japanese invasion force leaves Rabaul, New Britain, heading towards Port Moresby, New Guinea.
Wednesday, May 5th - May 6th, 1942
Foul weather limits detection of either carrier force across a two day span.
Thursday, May 7th, 1942
Allied Task Force 44, headed by Royal Navy Rear-Admiral Crace, moves in to intercept the Japanese invasion force. However, the force is prematurely spotted by Japanese reconnaissance aircraft resulting in a counter-assault of the Task Force by Japanese Navy warplanes. Crace and his force never make the intercept.
Thursday, May 7th, 1942
The USS Neosho and the USS Sims are sunk by Japanese aircraft.
Thursday, May 7th, 1942
The Allies spot the Japanese Covering Group escorting the invasion force.
Thursday, May 7th, 1942
The USS Lexington and the USS Yorktown launch their attack planes and sink the Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho in the process.
Thursday, May 7th, 1942
The Japanese invasion of Port Moresby is called off.
Friday, May 8th, 1942
The Japanese invasion force heads back to New Britain.
Friday, May 8th, 1942
Some 27 Japanese aircraft are launched under the cover of darkness in the hopes of locating the Allied Task Force. They come up empty and only six aircraft return safely home.
Friday, May 8th, 1942
Just past dawn, the Japanese and American carrier groups spot one another.
Friday, May 8th, 1942
At 9:25AM, Japanese and American warplanes take to the skies.
Friday, May 8th, 1942
At 11:40AM, US Navy warplanes manage to score devastating hits to the Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku, severely damaging her.
Friday, May 8th, 1942
At 2:47PM, the American carrier USS Lexington is hit by a Japanese torpedo, causing a major explosion in her generator room.
Friday, May 8th, 1942
By 6:00PM that evening, nearly all of the USS Lexington's sailors have been rescued.
Friday, May 8th, 1942
At 6:10PM, the USS Lexington is a complete loss. She is scuttled and sunk.
Saturday, May 9th, 1942
Despite numbers against him, Japanese Vice-Admiral Takagi is ordered to send his warplanes aloft.
Saturday, May 9th, 1942
The Japanese aircraft do not locate the American fleet and any further actions are called off, effectively ending the Battle of Coral Sea.
Saturday, August 8th, 1942
A large contingent of Imperial Japanese Navy warships heads out of Rabaul towards Savo Island to strike at US Navy transports there.
Sunday, August 9th, 1942
Three US and one Australian cruiser are sunk by the Japanese Navy during the morning hours.
Sunday, August 23rd, 1942
The Imperial Japanese Navy enacts a plan to resupply their forces at Guadalcanal under the cover of three aircraft carriers made up of the IJN Ryujo, the IJN Shokaku and the IJN Zuikaku.
Sunday, August 23rd, 1942
US naval patrol aircraft spot the incoming Japanese convoy, radioing positions back to the main task force.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
US naval patrol aircraft once again spot the incoming Japanese convoy. Positions are sent to Task Force 61.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
Task Force 61, comprised of the USS Enterprise, USS Saratoga and the USS Wasp head to intercept the Japanese convoy.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
Task Force 61 sets up at locations east of Malaita Island in preparation for the battle. Aircraft are launched form the American carriers beginning what is known as the Battle of the Eastern Solomons.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
At 3:15PM, American carrier aircaft from the USS Enterprise manage hits on the IJN Shokaku.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
Dive bombers and torpedo bombers from the USS Enterprise manage critical hits against the IJN Ryujo and sink here where she stood at 3:50PM.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
At about 4:41PM, the USS Enterprise is the victim of Japanese dive bombers and takes several direct hits but manages to keep fighting.
Monday, August 24th, 1942
The Japanese Navy lose their seaplane carrier - the IJN Chitose - to American dive bombers at 5:40PM.
Tuesday, August 25th, 1942
The Japanese Navy loses a pair of transport ships enroute to the Solomon Island chain.
Tuesday, August 25th, 1942
The Battle of the Eastern Solomons ends with the Japanese Navy claiming at least 90 aircraft lost while the American Navy enjoys victory with 20 aircraft lost in the fray.
Sunday, October 11th, 1942
A Japanese Navy convoy headed through the Eastern and Western Solomons is intercepted by a US Navy force, beginning what is known as the Battle of Cape Esperance.
Sunday, October 11th, 1942
At 11:32PM, US Navy warships fire upon IJN vessels in the convoy, sinking the IJN Fubuki and damaging the IJN Furutaka and IJN Aoba, which themselves begin sinking.
Sunday, October 11th, 1942
At midnight, the Japanese convoy is in retreat and gone from the region in roughly 30 minutes.
Sunday, October 11th, 1942
The IJN Furutaka officially sinks at 12:40AM.
Sunday, October 25th, 1942
Japanese Navy supply ships make their way offshore of Guadalcanal where land forces there are attempting to take Henderson Field.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
A USN Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat scout plane spots the Japanese waterforce and relays their position.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The US Navy sends Task Force 16 and 17 to intercept the Japanese resupply action.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
US Navy aircraft are launched from USS Enterprise and USS Hornet but fail to locate the Japanese ships.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
A PBY Catalina, capable of limited bombing, misses its mark as it attempts to hit several Japanese aircraft carriers at 2:50AM.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
USS Enterprise launches a wave of Dauntless dive bombers in search of the Japanese group. Some 22 total aircraft are launched.
Monday, May 25th, 1942
A large Imperial Japanese Naval force sails for Japan towards Midway Island. The force Is made up of four task forces. One is charged with the invasion of the Aleutian Islands off of Alaska while the other three are to take Midway Island itself and assail the responding USN fleet. One group contains the required four aircraft carriers.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
72 aircraft are launched as a combined force from USS Enterprise and USS Hornet.
Thursday, May 28th, 1942
The final Imperial Japanese Task Force leaves mainland Japan.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The IJN carrier launch around 110 aircraft in response.
Wednesday, June 3rd, 1942
The Northern Task Force begins its operation to take the Aleutian Island chain and divert USN forces to the region.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
At 7:40AM, USN dive bombers damage the IJN carrier Zuiho.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
US Navy and IJN aircraft formally meet in air to air combat by 8:15AM.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The USS Hornet takes a critical hit at 9:15AM from attacking Japanese Navy dive bombers and torpedo bombers. The IJN forces claim two torpedo hits and a further six bomb hits against her.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
At 4:30AM, the bombing of Midway Island begins with aircraft from Vice-Admiral Nagumo's First Carrier Strike Force.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The crew of the USS Hornet begin evacuation procedures aboard their doomed ship.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
American fighter aircraft take heavy losses but force the Japanese Navy to launch a second attack.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The crippled IJN carrier Zuiho is hit by another four bombs, bringing her tenure at sea to an official close at 9:18AM.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
At 7:28AM, a Japanese reconniassance plane spots spots ten undetermined USN surface ships 200 miles northeast of the Japanese Midway invasion force.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
USN bombers score several key direct hits against the carrier IJN Shokaku at 9:30AM.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
At 7:52AM, USS Enterprise and USS Hornet launch their dive bombers and torpedo planes.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
USS Enterprise receives several direct hits from IJN dive bombers against her flight deck and forward elevator.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
At 8:20AM, a surprised Nagumo receives his first report of American carriers in the area.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The Americans signal a withdrawal of all forces form the battle.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
At 8:37AM, aircraft of the second Japanese strike force returns to their respective carriers for rearming and refueling.
Monday, October 26th, 1942
The USS Hornet is cleared of all crew by 11:40AM.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
At 9:00AM, USS Yorktown launches her aircraft with Nagumo's carrier force as the prime target.
Tuesday, October 27th, 1942
Destroyers of the IJN come across the remains of the USS Hornet and launch torpedoes against her, sending her to the bottom of the Pacific.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
Between 9:30AM and 10:00AM, Torpedo planes from the USS Enterprise and USS Hornet begin their attacks on the Japanese carriers.
Sunday, March 8th, 1942
Japanese forces, numbering two battalions strong, land at Lae and Salamaua in New Guinea.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
At 9:18AM, Nagumo reacts to the American presence and changes the course of his Carrier Strike Force.
Tuesday, July 21st, 1942
Japanese Major General Horii and his 18th Army land near Buna.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
The first wave of USN carrier dive-bombers has difficulty in locating their Japanese targets.
Wednesday, July 22nd, 1942
Major General Horii and his 18th Army march towards Port Moresby.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
All incoming USN Devastator attackers are shot down by Japanese Zero fighters in the span of six minutes.
Wednesday, July 22nd, 1942
The Japanese Army gain ground on the US, Australian and Papuan Infantry Regiment defenders.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
The initial American assault on the Japanese carrier strike force is over by 10:00AM.
Friday, August 14th, 1942
The Japanese Army gains vital territory leading up and into the Owen Stanley Range.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
At 10:25AM, a follow-up strike made up of 37 Dauntless dive bombers finds the Japanese carriers - now stocked with armed and fueled aircraft on their decks.
Friday, August 14th, 1942
The Japanese Army takes control of the village of Kokoda.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
The three Japanese carriers - Kaga, Soryu and Akagi - are struck with bombs and ultimately sunk.
Friday, August 14th, 1942
The Japanese Army reaches Isurava just outside of Port Moresby.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
At 12:00PM, Imperial Japanese Navy bomber aircraft strike against the attacking USS Yorktown.
Tuesday, August 25th, 1942
The Japanese Navy completes an amphibious landing at Milne Bay to establish a beachhead and open a second front on New Guinea.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
By 2:30PM, the USS Yorktown is severely damaged but does not sink.
Wednesday, August 26th, 1942
The 18th Australian Brigade, utilizing valuable intelligence reports, meet the arriving Japanese amphibious forces head-on and hold the Japanese beachhead at Milne Bay.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
By 3:00PM, the crew of the USS Yorktown has abandoned their carrier. The damaged vessel is towed by USN ships.
Saturday, August 29th, 1942
A further 600 Japanese Army soldiers are landed at Milne Bay to help strengthen the beachhead.
Thursday, June 4th, 1942
At 5:00PM, the Imperial Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryu is set ablaze after being struck by no fewer than five direct bomb hits from aircraft of the USS Enterprise.
Sunday, August 30th, 1942
American General Douglas MacArthur employs his superiors for additional firepower and troop strength to help hold Papua.
Thursday, January 1st, 1942
The German U-boat fleet now numbers some 331 operational vessels.
Friday, June 5th, 1942
The Japanese carrier Hiryu is scuttled.
Friday, September 4th, 1942
With the Allied resistance holding off further advance, the Japanese Army begins a formal withdrawal of the island.
Thursday, January 1st - March 1st, 1942
Off the east coast of the United States, some 216 vessels fall prey to the German U-boat scourge in this span.
Saturday, June 6th, 1942
The USS Yorktown, now severely damaged and in tow of US Navy forces, is targeted and sunk by a Japanese submarine.
Friday, September 4th, 1942
Japanese casualties at Milne Bay amount to 1,000 killed amidst the fighting.
Thursday, May 14th, 1942
The convoy system is formally adopted by the United States in an effort to protect its merchant shipping in the Atlantic.
Saturday, September 26th, 1942
Despite gains along the Kokoda Trail, the Japanese supply line begins to run thin and halt any further advance.
Monday, June 1st - June 30th, 1942
June of 1942 marks the single worst month of Allied shipping losses, totaling some 834,000 tons of goods at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.
Saturday, June 6th, 1942
The island of Kiska is taken by Japanese forces.
Saturday, September 26th, 1942
Australian Army forces hold fast to territory near Toribaiwa.
Sunday, July 19th, 1942
German U-boats off the eastern coast of the US are relocated to better assault the merchant fleets streaming across the Atlantic.
Sunday, June 7th, 1942
The island of Attu is taken by Japanese forces.
Saturday, September 26th, 1942
The Japanese Army slowly begins to retreat back through the Kokoda Trail, finally realizing its perilous stuation.
Thursday, October 15th, 1942
American soldiers of the 32nd US Division complete an amphibious assault near Pongani and Wanigela on Papua.
Sunday, November 1st, 1942
Japanese Army troops have taken to reinforcing their existing defenses at Buna, Gona and Sanananda.
Sunday, November 15th, 1942
US forces continue their march from the south against Japanese-held areas.
Thursday, April 30th, 1942
Spring over Russia brings about seasonal rains turning once solid and dependable ground into a muddy nightmare for both armies. As such, offensives are limited or stalled altogether.
Thursday, April 30th, 1942
German Army forces partially regroup and recover from the constant barrage of Soviet offensives.
Thursday, April 30th, 1942
By this time, over 1 million German soldiers have been killed in action since the start of Operation Barbarossa.
Thursday, January 1st - July 31st, 1942
Some 800,000 of Leningrad's citizens are evacuated through the frozen passage above Lake Lagoda.
Thursday, January 1st - January 31st, 1942
Over the course of the month, three Soviet armies, under the command of Major-General D.T. Kozlov, are called to the newly created "Crimea Front".
Wednesday, January 7th, 1942
With progress over the Germans being made on several fronts, Soviet forces launch another offensive to try and encircle Army Group Centre.
Wednesday, January 7th, 1942
Along the Volkhov Front to the south of Novgorod, the Soviets launch a major offensive.
Sunday, January 25th, 1942
The Soviet movement begins losing steam after consecutive weeks of fighting. Man and machine are beginning to show their limitations.
Monday, February 2nd, 1942
Adolph Hitler approves of the order for retreat for German forces at Rostov.
Thursday, February 5th, 1942
Rostov is officially abandoned by General Manstein's forces.
Friday, February 6th, 1942
German General Manstein meets with Hitler and proposes a new German counter-attack against the Russians.
Sunday, February 8th, 1942
The Soviet Army officially retakes the Russian city of Kursk.
Thursday, February 12th, 1942
German Army Group Don is renamed Army Group South.
Thursday, February 12th, 1942
German Army Group B is renamed Army Group Center.
Saturday, February 14th, 1942
Russian General Vatutin and his South-West Front army reach the city of Kharkov.
Saturday, February 14th - February 18th, 1942
Street fighting begins between the German I SS Panzer Corps and the Russian 3rd Tank Army and 40th Army forces in Kharkov.
Saturday, February 14th, 1942
RAF Bomber Command issues its "Area Bombing Directive", allowing the legitimate bombing of civilian areas.
Tuesday, February 17th, 1942
Adolph Hitler meets with General Manstein to plan a German counter-offensive.
Wednesday, February 18th, 1942
German forces are officially driven from the Russian city of Kharkov.
Friday, February 20th, 1942
The Germans unleash their counterattack using the 4th Panzer Amry, 1st Panzer Army and the II SS Panzer Corps.
Saturday, February 28th, 1942
The Germans recapture lost ground and push elements of the Russian Army back. The German army reaches as far in as the River Donets while General Vatutin's forces are surrounded.
Sunday, March 1st - April 30th, 1942
Hitler and his commanders flesh out Operation Blue - in invasion of the oil-rich, Russian-held Caucasus.
Sunday, March 1st - March 30th, 1942
The Soviet offensive near Novgorod is stopped by German ground and air elements.
Sunday, March 1st - March 30th, 1942
The whole Soviet 2nd Shock Army is lost near Novgorod.
Sunday, March 1st, 1942
The Avro Lancaster heavy bomber is inducted into RAF service.
Saturday, March 7th, 1942
German General Hoth and his 4th Panzer Army form up and launch an offensive against the Voronezh Front near Kharkov.
Thursday, March 12th, 1942
Street fighting throughout Kharkov erupts once more as German forces enter Kharkov.
Saturday, March 14th, 1942
The 4th Panzer Army surrounds the city of Kharkov.
Wednesday, March 18th, 1942
The Germans complete the retaking of Kharkov.
Wednesday, March 18th - March 26th, 1942
The Soviets and Germans both dig in within and around the city of Kharkov, preparing to fight another day.
Friday, March 20th, 1942
British Convoy PQ13 sets sail for Russia but comes under fire from German U-Boats. Five of the 19 ships are lost.
Saturday, March 28th, 1942
234 RAF bombers drop incendiaries on Lubeck. 12 aircraft are lost.
Saturday, March 28th, 1942
The British utilize the "Gee" electronic navigation system for the first time.
Wednesday, April 1st - May 31st, 1942
Over a two month period, German forces are resupplied and strengthened before a major offensive - Operation Bustard - to remove the Soviets from the Kerch peninsula. Among the resupply deliveries are 33 massive artillery pieces meant to destroy the Soviet defensive works at the fort in Sevastopol.
Sunday, April 5th, 1942
Hitler issues the official Fuhrer Directive for Operation Blue.
Friday, May 8th, 1942
Operation Blue begins.
Friday, May 8th, 1942
German General Manstein leads his 11th Army onto the Kerch Peninsula towards the city of Sevastopol.
Friday, May 8th, 1942
Lieutenant-General von Manstein launches his assault.
Tuesday, May 12th, 1942
Soviet ground forces launch a pre-emptive offensive against German-held Kharkov.
Tuesday, May 12th, 1942
German forces enact Operation Fridericus and attempt to take Izyum.
Friday, May 15th, 1942
Manstein's offensive results in the taking of the Kerch peninsula from the Soviets.
Friday, May 15th, 1942
Sevastopol is cutt off from the rest of the Soviet Union by German Army elements.
Friday, May 15th, 1942
Manstein begins planning his next major offensive to take Sevastopol - this becomes Operation Sturgeon.
Wednesday, May 20th, 1942
The 2nd Canadian Infantry Division begins training for Operation Rutter on the Isle of Wight.
Tuesday, May 26th, 1942
Group Cruewell, made up of the Italian X and XI Corps, launches an assault on the northern portion of the Gazala Line in an attempt to divert Allied forces from the real attack coming from the south.
Tuesday, May 26th, 1942
Rommel begins his offense against the Gazala Line, made up of some 50 miles of British defenses.
Tuesday, May 26th, 1942
Beginning at 7:00PM, the German 90th Infantry Division, the 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions and the Italian XX Corps under Rommel launch their offensive along the southern portion of the Gazala Line.
Wednesday, May 27th, 1942
German forces south of Bir Hacheim make progress and begin to move northwards.
Wednesday, May 27th, 1942
The 1st Free French Brigade at Bir Hacheim holds off the German progress.
Thursday, May 28th, 1942
While trying to take Sidra Ridge, German Panzer force casaulties begin to mount significantly.
Saturday, May 30th, 1942
RAF Bomber Command attack Cologne with 1,046 aircraft in the first of their "1,000 Bomber" raids.
Sunday, May 31st, 1942
As the Allied defense along the Gazala line holds, Rommel is forced to change tactics, now concentrating his forces against the British 150th Brigade near Sidi Muftah.
Sunday, May 31st, 1942
Rommel orders his forces to begin defensive preparations across a 10 mile stretch.
Monday, June 1st, 1942
Nearly 30% of German tanks have been lost in Rommel's offensive.
Monday, June 1st - June 3rd, 1942
A German pocket develops near Sidi Muftah.
Tuesday, June 2nd, 1942
600 German artillery guns open fire on Sevastopol.
Friday, June 5th, 1942
The Allies attempt an offensive to drive the German pocket back from Sidi Muftah and fail. 230 Allied tanks are lost in the attack.
Saturday, June 6th, 1942
The German Luftwaffe is called in to bomb Sevastopol.
Saturday, June 6th, 1942
The British 150th Brigade is utterly destroyed under the German assault, resulting in 4,000 British prisoners of war.
Sunday, June 7th, 1942
The German artillery guns cease fire on Sevastopol. The bombardment on the Soviets has spanned five days.
Sunday, June 7th, 1942
The German 11th Army begins their assault on Sevastopol from the north at 2:30AM.
Wednesday, June 10th, 1942
The 1st Free French Brigade at Bir Hacheim can hold no more and retreat under the mounting German pressure.
Thursday, June 11th, 1942
The German-allied Romanian Mountain Corps and 30th Army Corps launch their attack on Sevastopol.
Thursday, June 11th, 1942
The German Army breaks out of their pocket near Sidi Muftah.
Thursday, June 11th, 1942
German forces breaking out near Sidi Muftah target the British 7th Armored Division near El Adem.
Thursday, June 11th, 1942
The Allies go into full retreat as the Germans advance.
Friday, June 12th - June 16th, 1942
The German offensive against Sevastopol is repulsed by the 180,000 or so Russian soldiers holed up in the city.
Wednesday, June 17th, 1942
Manstein launches another assault on Sevastopol.
Thursday, June 18th, 1942
The city of Tobruk, defended by the 2nd South African Division, is completely surrounded by German forces.
Saturday, June 20th, 1942
Rommel begins his offensive against the defenders in Tobruk.
Saturday, June 20th, 1942
Artillery shells and Luftwaffe bombs rain upon Tobruk.
Saturday, June 20th, 1942
At 7:00PM, the German 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions have made it past Tobruk's first line of defense, making headway into the city.
Sunday, June 21st, 1942
The 2nd South African Division under Allied General Klopper officially concede defeat and hand control of Tobruk to the Germans.
Saturday, June 27th, 1942
The Soviet Army is encircled and defeated at Kharkov, netting the Germans some 250,000 Soviet prisoners.
Saturday, June 27th, 1942
German forces complete their capture of Izyum.
Saturday, June 27th, 1942
The Romanian and German army forces capture key hilltop positions near Sevastopol.
Saturday, June 27th, 1942
British convoy PQ17 sets sail from Reykjavik, Iceland.
Saturday, June 27th - July 28th, 1942
Convoy PQ17 loses 34 of its 36 ships to Geman U-Boats and surface ships.
Sunday, June 28th, 1942
The German Army turns its attention towards the Volga.
Sunday, June 28th, 1942
The German 2nd Army and 4th Panzer Army launch their attack towards Voronezh near Kursk.
Sunday, June 28th, 1942
German forces reach the outskirts of Sevastopol.
Sunday, June 28th, 1942
By this date, over 90% of the Soviet defensive fortifications have fallen to the Germans.
Tuesday, June 30th, 1942
German General Paulus attacks at Belgorod.
Tuesday, June 30th, 1942
Evacuation of Russian soldiers from Sevastopol begins with help from the Soviet Black Sea Fleet under Vice-Admiral F.S. Oktyabrsky.
Wednesday, July 1st - July 22nd, 1942
The First Battle of El Alamein takes place with Erwin Rommel hoping to put a dent in the Allied defense near El Alamain. Rommel's forces consist of his Afrika Corps and three Italian troop corps.
Wednesday, July 1st, 1942
German General Erwin Rommel attempts to break through the Allied defensive perimeter at El Alamein.
Wednesday, July 1st - July 31st, 1942
Hitler orders two directives in the operation against Leningrad. The first calls for its immediate encirclement and the second for its immediate destruction from land and air.
Wednesday, July 1st, 1942
One last German push secures strategic positions throughout the city of Sevastopol.
Thursday, July 2nd, 1942
The Soviet city of Sevastopol officially falls to the Germans.
Thursday, July 2nd, 1942
The last of the Soviet forces are evacuated by sea leaving little to stop the German onslaught.
Friday, July 3rd, 1942
The Allies put up a stubborn defense, repelling Rommel's offensive.
Saturday, July 4th, 1942
Sevastopol officially falls to German control.
Saturday, July 4th, 1942
German control and the subsequent round up on the city nets some 90,000 Soviet army prisoners of war.
Monday, July 6th, 1942
The German 6th Army reaches the Don River.
Monday, July 6th, 1942
The German 6th Army moves on Stalingrad.
Tuesday, July 7th, 1942
German General Field Marshal List takes command of the new Army Goup A, made up of the 1st Panzer Army and the 17th Army.
Tuesday, July 7th, 1942
This date is set aside for Operation Rutter - the amphibious landing at the port city of Dieppe in occupied France.
Tuesday, July 7th, 1942
Bad weather cancels this original date for Operation Rutter. Discussions begin on whether or not to nix the entire endeavor. It returns to the planning stages under a new name - Operation Jubilee.
Thursday, July 9th, 1942
The German Army begins its move towards Rostov.
Thursday, July 9th, 1942
German Army Group South is renamed Army Group B and placed under the control of Field Marshal von Bock.
Monday, July 13th, 1942
General von Weichs takes control of Army Group B from Bock.
Monday, July 13th, 1942
Adolf Hitler assigns General Paulus and his 6th Army to take Stalingrad.
Friday, July 17th, 1942
Hitler diverts the 4th Panzer Army away from Stalingrad and sends them towards the Caucasus.
Thursday, July 23rd, 1942
Rostov falls to the German Army Group A, netting some 83,000 Soviet prisoners as a result.
Thursday, July 23rd, 1942
Hitler issues a supplemental directive to Operation Blue requiring his 6th Army to take Stalingrad.
Tuesday, July 28th, 1942
The macabre resolution of "not one step backwards" is issued by Stalin to his generals and troops.
Saturday, August 1st - August 30th, 1942
British Prime Minister relieves General Auchinleck with General Harold Alexander as Commander-in-Chief, Middle East.
Saturday, August 1st - August 30th, 1942
German forces are strengthened by the arrival of another Italian division, a German parachute brigade and more tanks.
Saturday, August 1st - August 30th, 1942
Churchill replaces 8th Army leader Major-General Neil Ritchie with General Bernard Montgomery.
Saturday, August 1st, 1942
De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito twin-engine fighters are assigned as "Pathfinder" units charged with lighting up ground targets via flares and incendiary ordnance for ensuing RAF heavy bombers.
Saturday, August 1st - August 31st, 1942
Any further convoys passing to the Arctic to Russia are suspended for the time being as resources are pressed for service in the Allied landings occurring in North Africa.
Tuesday, August 4th, 1942
Elements of the German Army cross the Aksay River towards Stalingrad.
Thursday, August 6th, 1942
The German Army crosses the Kuban River near Armavir.
Friday, August 7th, 1942
Elements of the German Army attack Soviet forces near Kalach.
Sunday, August 9th, 1942
Army Group A captures the Maikop oil field on the Black Sea.
Sunday, August 9th, 1942
The German German Army captures the strategic port of Yeysk and Krasnador on the Sea of Azov.
Friday, August 14th, 1942
German forces cross the Kuban river near Krasnador.
Wednesday, August 19th, 1942
This date is targeted for Operation Jubilee.
Wednesday, August 19th, 1942
Operation Jubilee is officially put into action.
Wednesday, August 19th, 1942
4,962 Canadian soldiers, along with 1,000 British troops and a 50-man contingent of American US Army Rangers set sail on no fewer than 237 boats towards Dieppe.
Wednesday, August 19th, 1942
At 3:48 AM, several Allied invasion vessels run into a German convoy, which actively engages the ships, ruining any chance the Allies held in the element of surprise. This event is a fore-telling of the day to follow.
Wednesday, August 19th, 1942
At 4:30 AM, Canadian soldiers wade ashore and take on the German coastal batteries at Berneval, Puys, Pourville and Varengville.
Wednesday, August 19th, 1942
At 5:20 AM, the main invasion force - made up of the 14th Army Tank Regiment, the Essex Scottish Regiment, and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry - come ashore.
Wednesday, August 19th, 1942
At 5:35 AM, Allied armor makes it to the beach. Over half of the tanks are lost in the action.
Wednesday, August 19th, 1942
By 11:00 AM, disaster has completely befallen the invaders. Many are trapped, forced back or dead to a prepared German defense.
Wednesday, August 19th, 1942
By 2:00 PM, all survivors of the Dieppe invasion have been rescued. Left behind are 3,367 casualties, wounded, prisoners of war or missing.
Sunday, August 19th, 1942
German General Paulus and his 6th Army is ordered to attack the Soviet city of Stalingrad.
Wednesday, August 19th - September 30th, 1942
A Soviet offensive aimed at smashing through the German lines fails.
Friday, August 21st, 1942
Nazi-allied French leader Marshal Petain celebrates the German victory over the Allied invasion at Dieppe.
Saturday, August 22nd, 1942
German land forces advancing into the Caucasus are stopped.
Sunday, August 23rd, 1942
Army Group B reaches the Volga River.
Tuesday, August 25th, 1942
Stalingard is officially under siege by the Germans Army.
Sunday, August 30th, 1942
Rommel begins a new offensive starting from Bab el Qattara that becomes the Battle of Alam Halfa near El Alamein. The objective is the high ridge at Alam Halfa some 13 miles through the Allied defensive perimeter in the south.
Tuesday, September 1st - September 30th, 1942
The month is spent ironing out plans for the Allied invasion of German-occupied North Africa.
Tuesday, September 1st - September 30th, 1942
German progress throughout the Casucasus is slowed by Soviet resistance and fuel/supply shortages.
Tuesday, September 1st, 1942
Germany Army elements, backed by Romanians cross the Kerch Straits.
Tuesday, September 1st, 1942
The Germans establish a bridgehead over the Terek River.
Wednesday, September 2nd, 1942
Rommel's assault is thwarted, his tank forces suffering high losses in the attack - and his army is pushed back to Bab el Qattara.
Wednesday, September 2nd, 1942
Convoy PQ18 sets sail for Russia, comprised of some 40 ships and beefed up protection through 17 destroyers. The escort carrier HMS Avenger provides air cover.
Wednesday, Setember 2nd - September 26th, 1942
Convoy PQ18 reaches Russia despite losing 13 of her ships.
Thursday, September 3rd - October 23rd, 1942
General Montgomery decides to make El Alamein a war of numbers and stockpiles his supplies to eventually try to overwhelm the Germans.
Thursday, September 3rd, 1942
The Germans enact an offensive aimed at the heart of Stalingrad.
Sunday, September 6th, 1942
The strategic Black Sea port city Novorossiysk falls to the Germans.
Thursday, September 10th, 1942
100,000 incendiary bombs are dropped on Dusseldorf by no fewer than 476 RAF bombers.
Tuesday, September 15th, 1942
The Soviet Army is unleashed on Voronezh.
Thursday, September 24th, 1942
The German Army makes headway toward Tuapse.
Friday, September 25th, 1942
With winter upon the German Army once more, Hitler orders a halt to any major offensives around Leningrad.
Thursday, October 1st - October 31st, 1942
With a lull in the fighting, Soviet forces near Leningrad are able to receive much needed supplies and reinforcements.
Tuesday, October 6th, 1942
Malgobek falls to the German Army.
Friday, October 9th, 1942
The Soviet government hands all military powers to the Soviet Army.
Wednesday, October 14th, 1942
Adolf Hitler stops all further offensives against Soviet targets in the region for the year and orders his commanders to hold their positions until 1943.
Sunday, October 18th, 1942
The German drive against Tuapse is stopped by the Soviets.
Friday, October 23rd, 1942
The Allied counter-offensive begins through Operation Lightfoot, a massive artillery bombardment of dug-in German forces.
Friday, October 23rd, 1942
At 10:00PM, British XIII Corps hits the German 21st Panzer Division and Italian Brescia and Folgore Divisions in the south of the German defensive wall as a diversion to its north-bound actions.
Friday, October 23rd, 1942
XXX and X Corps begin their assault on Axis nothern positions.
Sunday, October 25th, 1942
Montgomery enacts Operation Supercharge and pulls some diversionary forces from his southern attacks to reinforce the north where losses continue to mount.
Sunday, October 25th, 1942
Four Allied brigades have managed to break through the German defensive lines.
Sunday, October 25th, 1942
Allied mine-clearing operations begin while combat continues
Sunday, October 25th, 1942
The Germans enact a new offensive in the Caucasus.
Sunday, November 1st, 1942
The Caucasus town of Alagir is captured by the Germans.
Monday, November 2nd, 1942
As more and more Allied armor crosses through the German perimeter, Rommel orders his battle-weary forces on an eastward retreat, keeping his forces within easy access to the North African coast.
Monday, November 2nd, 1942
The Caucasus town of Ordzhonikidse is captured by the Germans.
Wednesday, November 4th, 1942
British X Corps makes a substantial gain in capturing Tel el Aqqaqir, running straight through the beleagured Axis lines, effectively ending the Battle of El Alamain in favor of the Allies. The victory is a major one for the Germans are in full retreat throughout North Africa. The action officially ends all Axis presence on the continent.
Saturday, November 7th, 1942
Three Allied task forces - the US Western, Central and the British Eastern - approach the coast of North Africa.
Sunday, November 8th, 1942
The Allied invasion forces reach North African shores.
Sunday, November 8th, 1942
The US Western and Central task forces tangle with Vichy French opposition.
Sunday, November 8th, 1942
At Oran, French coastal guns destroya US transport with 200 soldiers aboard.
Sunday, November 8th, 1942
French General Mast surrenders to the British Eastern Task Force.
Monday, November 9th, 1942
The first French cease-fires begin to ring out across Algeria and Morocco.
Monday, November 9th, 1942
US forces tangle with a suprisingly stout French defense. It was believed that the two country's histories would have brought France to surrender rather than fight a former ally.
Wednesday, November 11th, 1942
French Admiral Jean Francios Darlan joins French General Alphonse Juin in calling an all-out cease fire for French forces throughout Africa.
Wednesday, November 11th, 1942
The British Eastern Task force capture the strategic airfield at Djidjelli via Bougie from Algiers.
Thursday, November 12th, 1942
British paratroopers land near Bone and take the nearby airfield.
Thursday, November 12th, 1942
German paratrooper forces attack the British paratroopers near Bone but are repelled.
Thursday, November 12th, 1942
German paratroopers move into the area near the airfield at Bone.
Sunday, November 15th, 1942
American paratroopers land at the airfield near Youks les Bains
Sunday, November 15th, 1942
Army Group A reaches as far as Ordzhonikidze and Mt. Elbus.
Monday, November 16th, 1942
British paratroopers land and capture the airfield at Soul el Arba.
Monday, November 16th, 1942
Allied forces begin their move into German-held Tunisia.
Tuesday, November 17th, 1942
The Allies capture Beja.
Wednesday, November 18th, 1942
The Allies take Sidi Nsir.
Thursday, November 19th, 1942
The Soviets push forward a new two-part offensive - Operation Uranus - north of Stalingrad and break through the Romanian-held defenses.
Friday, November 20th, 1942
The Allied assault on the strategic city of Medjez el Bab begins.
Friday, November 20th, 1942
Part 2 of Operation Uranus is enacted at the southern end of Stalingrad.
Friday, November 20th, 1942
German General Manstein is appointed the commander of Army Group Don.
Sunday, November 22nd, 1942
Two elements of the Soviet Army meets at Kalach, effectively encircling the German 6th Army at Stalingrad.
Wednesday, November 25th, 1942
In an effort to resupply their troops, the German Luftwaffe is called upon to exercise airdrops of vital supplies to the German 6th Army.
Thursday, November 26th, 1942
Medjez el Bab falls to the Allies.
Monday, November 30th, 1942
Despite the consistent progression throughout North Africa, the Allied invasion offensive grounds to a halt in the face of growing German resistance at key junctions. The total liberation of North Africa will have to wait.
Monday, November 30th, 1942
German General Paulus and his 6th Army is contained by the fierce resisting Soviets in Stalingrad, putting Hitler's plans on hold.
Saturday, December 12th, 1942
While Hitler rejects any plea from the German 6th Army to retreat from their position, the 4th Panzer Army is used through Operation Winter Storm in an attempt to relieve the beleaguered German troops at Stalingrad.
Wednesday, December 16th, 1942
The Soviet Army puts Operation Little Saturn into effect and attacks Rostov.
Wednesday, December 16th, 1942
The Italian Army goes into full retreat from the Soviet advance.
Wednesday, December 16th, 1942
German Army forces are called off from further offensives at Tuapse.
Monday, December 21st, 1942
Soviet relief forces and supplies headed for Stalingrad are stopped at Myshkova.
Wednesday, December 23rd, 1942
All further attempts to relieve Stalingrad are put on hold, indefinitely.
Thursday, December 24th, 1942
The Soviet Army launches a fresh attack at Kotelnikovo, routing its Romanian defenders and putting them into full retreat.
Monday, December 28th, 1942
German Army Group A is given the official order to retreat from the Caucasus region.
Thursday, December 31st, 1942
The Battle of Barents Sea takes place. Convoy JW51B comes under attack from German surface ships comrpised of the battleships KMS Admiral Hipper and KMS Lutzow along with 6 destroyers. Six British destroyers are up to the task as they repel the much larger force at the cost of two Royal Navy destroyers. No merchant vessels are lost to enemy fire. The loss in battle forces the resignation of German Navy Admiral Raeder and leaves Adolph Hitler hungry for blood.
