- June 5
- German panzer divisions resume movement, from Rethel on the Aisne to the Swiss frontier, south from the Somme bridgeheads, and between Amiens and the sea. [84.341] [277.34]
- French General Beaufrére surrenders the remaining French troops defending Dunkirk. [83.204] [166.293]
- German forces begin night reconnaissance over Britain. [84.341]
- French Premier Paul Reynaud appoints Charles de Gaulle to Undersecretary of State for War in France, and promotes him to provisional Brigadier General. [508.1765] (June 6 [718.356])
- June 6
- British Prime Minister Winston Churchill proposes the development of a parachute troop corps with 5000 men. [99.27]
- June 7
- The Norwegian government ceases hostilities with Germany. [62.17]
- The Norwegian government flees to England. [113.505]
- June 8
- The last British and French forces leave Norway. [38.132] [404.244]
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- Commander of Norwegian army General Otto Ruge orders his forces to lay down arms. [812.38]
- Adolf Hitler issues Directive No. 14, to deal with strong resistance north of Paris. [149.70]
- The French town of Rouen falls to German forces. [83.205]
- (1700+ hours) Off Narvik, Norway, German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, heavy cruiser Hipper, and several destroyers sink British carrier Glorious and destroyers Acasta and Ardent. There are no survivors of the Acasta. Scharnhorst is hit by one torpedo. [377.37]
- (1740 hours) British carrier Glorious sinks. [377.37]
- (1808 hours) British destroyer Ardent sinks, leaving only one survivor. [377.37]
- June 9
- Norway falls to German forces. King Haakon VI flees to London, England. [79.37] [503.1737]
- June 10
- The war in Norway ends. [29.30]
- The French government and Army High Command leave Paris for Tours. [79.44] [166.293]
- Italy declares war on England and France. [5.48] [38.79] [79.37] [83.206] [97.22] [84.53,341] [113.505] [149.81] [377.60] [721.42] [753.35]
- Italian planes make a bombing raid on Malta in the Mediterranean. [519.1933]
- American President Franklin Roosevelt gives a speech at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. In the speech he condemns Italy for striking "a dagger into the back of its neighbor". Roosevelt says the US will extend resources to opponents of force, and will build up equipment and trained forces for defence and emergencies. (This speech transforms the nation from neutral to non-belligerent.) [277.35] [448.122]
- Fifteen Blackburn Skua planes from British carrier Ark Royal attack German ships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau at anchor in Trondheim Fjord, Norway. Only one plane scores a hot, but the bomb fails to explode. Eight planes are shot down. [147.53]
- June 11
- The French town of Reims falls to German forces. [83.205]
- Paris, France, is declared an open city. [79.44]
- (night) 34 British Whitley bombers attack Italy from an airfield in the Channel Islands. [84.54,341]
- June 12
- Siam and Japan sign a non-aggression pact. [46.35]
- June 13
- Spain's Generalissimo Francisco Franco changes Spain's status from neutral to nonbelligerent. [38.79]
- Britain sends information to Australian Prime Minister Menzies, with the first revelation that Britain would hold its Mediterranean interests at the possible cost to interests in the Far East. If Japan declares war, Britain would likely have to rely on the USA for safeguarding British interests. [439.55]
- June
- Japanese forces begin experimenting with glider and parachute troop units. [25.18]
- British Prime Minister Winston Churchill orders the creation of a glider unit, and a force of 500 parachute troops. [25.18]
- June 14
- German forces cross the Maginot Line into France. [166.354]
- Adolf Hitler issues Directive No. 15, ordering the Army to prevent the withdrawal of enemy forces from the Paris area, and prevent the establishment of a new front on the lower Seine. A second objective is to destroy forces facing Army Groups A and C, and see to the collapse of the Maginot Line. [149.72]
- Paris is evacuated, as German troops enter the city. [38.79] [80.310] [83] [149.64] [277.35] (June 13 [113.505])
- Soviet Premier Josef Stalin sends an ultimatum to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, making territorial demands. (The countries are soon occupied.) [277.43]
- In Brest, France, British General Alan Brooke orders Canadian forces to withdraw from France. Much of the Canadian equipment and 216 vehicles are destroyed, to prevent their use by German forces. [28.391]
- Spain sends a 3,000-man force to occupy the former international city of Tangier, a port of Morocco. [38.79]
- June 15
- Soviet forces occupy Lithuania. [444.283] [517.1793]
- In England, the decision is made to bring home the remaining British Expeditionary Force in France. 136,963 British and 38,500 Allied troops are transported across the English Channel. [173.10]
- In convoy HX-48, eastbound across the Atlantic ocean, German submarine U-38 torpedoes and sinks Canadian merchant ship Erik Boye near Land's End, the south-west tip of England. There are no casualties. This is the first Canadian merchant ship sunk in the Battle of the Atlantic. [27.17] [117.8]
- June
- British battleship Revenge arrives in Halifax, Canada, with 40 million Pounds Sterling in gold, for safekeeping. [118.38]
- Germany forms its first specialized night-fighter plane unit. [84.106]
- June 16
- Soviet forces occupy Latvia. [517.1793]
- (about 1600 hours) The White Star Line passenger liner Lancastria is struck by four bombs from a German Junkers 88 dive-bomber in an air raid at Saint Nazaire, France. The ship sinks in 20 minutes, taking about 3500 of 6000 troops on board. [173.10] [377.46] (death of about 9000 [798.35]) (June 17 [476.6])
- German forces reach the Rhône valley in France. [277.35]
- Soviet Premier Josef Stalin demands Romania cede Bessarabia and northern Bucovina. Romania gives in to the demands. [166.328] [277.43]
- Paul Reynaud resigns as Prime Minister of France. Marshal Henri Pétain takes over the government, and immediately calls for a ceasefire. [83.205] [149.64] [382.30a] [409.13] [508.1765] (June 17 [277.35] [718.356] [722.48])
- (to June 18) Portuguese consul general in France issues 30,000 transit viasa in Bordeaux to refugees escaping European war. [810.422]
- June 17
- France requests an armistice with Germany. [84.341] [277.35]
- Soviet occupation of Estonia begins. [396.9] [517.1793]
- Blue Funnel Line ship Teiresias is attacked by German aircraft while evacuating British Expeditionary Force troops from Saint Nazaire. The ship is abandoned when the engine room is flooded. [798.35]
- (late) Winston Churchill decides Charles de Gaulle should be recognized as speaking for France, not Marshal Pétain. [98.4]
- (night) British Bomber Command launches 138 aircraft on Germany, primarily on oil targets. Only one plane does not return. [84.55]
- June 18
- In Canada, Prime Minister William King introduces the National Resources Mobilization Act in the House of Commons. The bill would require Canadians to register for national service within Canada, and give the government control of Canadian property for the duration of the war. [5.161] (June 21 [5.49])
- German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop informs the Swedish Minister in Berlin, Germany, that if Sweden resists the German use of Swedish railways to transport troops and supplies to Norway, it would have dire consequences. [29.30]
- Sweden receives a reply from Britain regarding expectations in Norway, indicating that Britain might have to make peace with Germany. [113.505]
- The Swedish government agrees to allow German troops to pass from Trelleborg, Sweden, to Oslo, Norway, via Swedish railways. [29.32]
- The British Royal Air Force attacks Hamburg and Bremen, Germany. [173.13]
- At Ecole de Cavalerie (Cavalry School) at Saumur, France, about 800 teenage cadets and about 1200 retreating French soldiers engage the German 1st Cavalry Division for nearly three days. (After the German victory, commander General Feldt releases those that were captured.) [395.5]
- British Prime Minister Winston Churchill makes a speech in the House of Commons, including "The white fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war.". [277.36]
- (evening) French General Charles de Gaulle broadcasts on BBC radio in London, appealing to French officers, soldiers, engineers, and others to resist Marshal Pétain and to fight on for France. [98.4] [360.8] [718.356]
- June 19
- Spain's Francisco Franco offers to join the Axis at war in exchange for French Morocco, Oran region of Algeria, expansion of Spanish Sahara and Spanish Guinea, and substantial economic and military provisions. Adolf Hitler makes no commitment. [387.12] [661.12]
- The Soviet Union installs puppet governments in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. [444.283]
- Thirty British Blenheim bombers raid German airfields at Rouen and Amiens. All aircraft return. [84.58]
- June 20
- The British Air Ministry sends a directive to Bomber Command, instructing it to focus attacks on German aircraft. [84.57,341]
- 47 British Blenheim bombers raid German airfields at Rouen and Schipol. All aircraft return. [84.58]
- June 22
- France formally surrenders to Germany. The signing ceremony is held in the Forest de Compiègne, in the same rail car in which Germany had surrendered to France in 1918. General Charles Huntziger signs for France. Field marshal Wilhelm Keitel signs for Germany. [1.3] [79.44] [80.310] [83.206] [117.10] [166.293] [277.35] [718.356] [753.35] [817.556] (June 21 [27.17])
- In Canada, Royal Assent is given to the National Resources Mobilization Act, putting Canadians and their property at the disposal of the Crown. All males over age 16 are required to register for national service. Conscription for military service within Canada is introduced. [5.49,114] [116.77]
- June
- French cruiser Emile Bertin arrives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, with 254 tons of gold worth about CDN$305 million. Britain wanted to take possession of the gold, but the captain takes orders from the Vichy French government, and sails on to Martinique. [118.38]
- June 23
- The British government severs relations with the French government, and recognizes the French National Committee. [508.1765,1782]
- Germany begins preparations for an attack on the USSR. [78.318]
- British commandos make their first raid on Europe, near Le Touquet, France. [508.1765]
- June 24
- France signs an armistice with Italy. [83.206] [416.E5] (June 25 [166.294])
- June 25
- (0135 hours) Official cease fire between France and Germany goes into effect. [277.35] [373.170]
- At New York's Hotel Commodore, a fund-raising lunch of the Emergency Rescue Committee raises US$3500. The committee compiles a list of 200 people to rescue from France. [716.62]
- While en route from St-Jean-de-Luz, France, to Plymouth, England, Royal Canadian Navy destroyer Fraser collides in the Bay of Biscay with British cruiser Calcutta, and sinks, killing 47 men. [27.9] (46 RCN and 13 RN sailors die [27.17])
- June 28
- The British Dominions Secretary informs the Australian Government that with Italy in the war and France out, Britain could not send a fleet to the Far East. Britain asks Australia for divisions of troops and two squadrons of aircraft for the defence of Malaya. [439.55]
- Soviet troops occupy Bessarabia and north-east Bukovina. [517.1793]
- The British Government recognizes Charles de Gaulle as leader of Free Frenchmen. [406.207]
- June
- The Spanish border with France is closed. [722.49]
- British battleship HMS Emerald leaves England with gold and securities, destined for safekeeping in Canada. [118.37]
- June 30
- German Major General Alfred Jodl writes a memorandum stating that if a strike on Britain fails, the next best place to defeat Britain is in the Mediterranean. [277.45]
- June (month)
- Total German submarine sinkings of merchant shipping in the Atlantic during the month: 58 ships, 284,000 tons. [173.13]
- (month unknown)
- The British War Cabinet recognizes bombing campaign on German industrial and economic structure as the only hope for future landing on the continent. [831.813]
- July 1
- Winston Churchill writes to Josef Stalin, warning him of Adolf Hitler's intentions for an invasion of the USSR. [376.51]
- The French government of Marshal Pétain moves to Vichy as the Government of Unoccupied France. [817.556]
- British Admiralty issues orders to its Mediterranean forces to prepare Operation Catapult for July 3, to destroy any French ships whose crews did not disable them. [817.556]
- (evening) British Bomber Command planes drop their for 2,000-pound bombs, against the German warship Scharnhorst at Kiel. [84.341]
- July 2
- Passenger liner Arandora Star is torpedoed off the coast of Ireland, carrying 1500 German and Italian aliens from Great Britain to camps in Canada. 175 Germans and 486 Italians are killed. Royal Canadian Navy destroyer St. Laurent rescues 857 survivors. [27.17] [415.28]
- Blue Funnel Line ship Aenaes in coastal convoy OA-177G off Dorset, England, is attacked by German aircraft and set on fire, killing 19 crew. The ship sinks two days later. [798.35]
- Adolf Hitler decides that a landing in England is possible, provided air superiority is attained, among other conditions. He orders the armed forces to prepare for an invasion. [84.60] [149.74]
- In Montreal, Canada, a train with sealed cars delivers to the Bank of Canada 30 million Pounds Sterling of gold bars and 200 million Pounds Sterling in marketable securities. This had been transferred from the Bank of England to Halifax, Nova Scotia, via the HMS Emerald battleship, for safekeeping during the war. This is the largest single transfer of wealth in world history to date. [118.36]
- July 3
- British troops seize French ships in British harbors. [277.37]
- A British naval group arrives at Oran and Mers-el-Kebir in Algeria, requesting the surrender of the French fleet. The French refuse, and the British ships open fire. Battleship Bretagne blows up, Dunquerque is run aground, battleship Provence is beached, and torpedo cruiser Magador explodes. 1300 French sailors die. [46.35] [79.37] [406.208] [487.32]
- July 4
- The British Air Ministry directs Bomber Command to focus attacks on German shipping and warships. [84.59]
- A French Court Martial sentences Charles de Gaulle in absentia to four years in prison for treason. [718.356]
- July 5
- Near the south-west coast of Ireland, a submarine torpedoes and shells Canadian merchant ship Magog. The crew abandons ship. [27.17]
- July 8
- In convoy HX-53 in the North Atlantic, a submarine torpedoes Newfoundland merchant ship Humber Arm. [27.17]
- The Swedish government agrees to transport German war material across Sweden to Norway. [38.135]
- July 9
- 12 British Blenheim bombers attack aircraft at Stavanger. Some 30 Me 109 and 110 fighters attack them. Only four British planes survive, badly damaged. [84.58]
- In Canada, at a meeting of the Cabinet War Committee, the prime minister and ministers approve a project to study the spread of diseases from planes and shells. This is the beginning of germ warfare in Canada. [51.43]
- July 10
- 64 German airplanes fly for Britain. Five squadrons of RAF Fighter Command are launched to intercept them. Twelve German planes are shot down, at a cost of three British planes. This is considered the start of the Battle of Britain. [9.14] [84.341] [719.17]
- US President Franklin Roosevelt asks Congress for US$4.8 billion for military spending. [79.37]
- In the North Sea, off Great Yarmouth, England, German aircraft bomb and sink Canadian merchant ship Waterloo. [27.17]
- July 12
- Units of the 1st Canadian Division land at Brest, France, and head toward Laval and Le Mans. [5.115]
- July
- Newly arrived Canadian troops hastily retreat to the coast of France. All but a few make it back to England. [5.115]
- July 14
- British commandos make a raid on occupied Guernsey. The raid is a failure. [508.1765]
- July 15
- Convoy HX-58 departs Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. [733.14]
- July
- In Canada, several individuals of large corporations donate $1.3 million for war research. The War Technical and Scientific Development Committee is formed to administer the money. [51.42]
- The Royal Canadian Navy awards a contract to the Canadian division of the British Power Boat Company to build twelve Motor Torpedo Boats. They are to be equipped with two 18 inch torpedo tubes, two twin 0.5 calibre machine guns, and have a top speed of 38 knots. [101.24.]
- Canadian forces in Britain become part of the 7th British Army Corps. [1.3]
- Hermann Göring orders the Luftwaffe to expand the night-fighter unit to a Division strength. [84.106]
- Five warships leave England headed for Halifax, Canada, with 192 million Pounds Sterling in gold bullion and several hundred million Pounds Sterling in securities, for safekeeping in Canada. [118.39]
- July 16
- Adolf Hitler issues Directive No. 16: On preparations for a landing operation against England. The landing would be on a wide front from Ramsgate to west of the Isle of Wight. Preparations are to be completed by mid-August. First, the English Air Force must be reduced to pose no threat to a German crossing, mined channels must be cleared, Straits of Dover are to be sealed off with minefields on both flanks, and the English Navy must be held down in the North Sea and Mediterranean. Invasion will bear name Seelöwe (Sea Lion). [84.60] [149.74] [277.37]
- July 17
- Britain agrees to close the Burma Road to China for three months. [439.69] [444.305]
- July 18
- British Prime Minister Winston Churchill makes his "This was their finest hour" speech in Parliament. [131.5] (June 18 [145.57])
- July 19
- (0830+ hours) In the Gulf of Athens, several British ships sink Italian light cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni. [377.64]
- In the Reichstag, Adolf Hitler makes a peace offer to Britain. [84.60] [462.16]
- July 21
- The People's Assembly of Lithuania declares entry of country into the USSR. [517.1793] [628.A5]
- Latvia and Estonia request incorporation into the USSR. [517.1793]
- July 22
- The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan begins operations in Ontario, Canada. [450.32]
- Prince Fumimaro Konoye becomes Prime Minister of Japan. [362.13] [444.xvii,286]
- The British Foreign Secretary dismisses Adolf Hitler's peace offer as "a mere summons to capitulate". [84.60]
- July 26
- New Japanese prime minister Prince Fumimaro Konoye unveils his plan to take advantage of the European powers' weakness in Asia. [46.35] [166.315]
- July
- Spain and Germany begin planning a joint invasion of Gibraltar. Code name of the operation is Felix. [38.79]
- July 28
- British armed merchant cruiser Alcantara battles German armed merchant cruiser Thor in the West Indies off Trinidad. Both ships are damaged. [173.14]
- July 31
- Adolf Hitler meets with Wilhelm Keitel, Alfred Jodl, Walther von Brauchitsch, and Franz Halder. Hitler announces his intention to launch an attack on Russia in the spring of 1941. [80.313] [277.45]
- (month unknown)
- The 2nd Canadian Infantry Division begins arriving in England. [1.2,12]
- (midsummer) British Captain C. Caslon, with four destroyers, compels Swedish naval crews to hand over four destroyers en route from Italy to Sweden. (This act of piracy infuriates the Swedish Admiralty, but the ships are later returned, and the British government pays for damage to the ships.) [29.60]
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