This Week in WWII – 1st Week of April

1939
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signs the National Defense Act, which authorizes a $300 million budget and 6,000 airplanes for the Army Air Corps and increases AAC personnel to 3,203 officers and 45,000 enlisted personnel.
1940
Hallifax writes in his diary that Mussolini is “more bark than bite.”
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This Week in WWII – 4th Week of March

1938
Herman Goering warns all Jews to leave Austria.
1939
France and Great Britain agree to support Poland in the event that Germany threatens to invade.
1941
Yugoslavia signs Tripartite Pact, becoming part of the Axis Powers.
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This Week in WWII – 2nd Week of March

1933
Assassination attempt on Hitler. Karl Lutter tries to blow up Hitler, but betrayal thwarts the attempt. The first Nazi Concentration Camp opens in Oranienburg, outside of Berin.
1938
Nazi Germany takes Austria. Munich Conference. Nevile Chamberlain appeasement.
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This Week in WWII – 3rd Week of February

1940
Work begins on a new concentration camp in Poland near Oswiecim (Auschwitz).
1941
Bismark sister ship, the Tirpitz, is commissioned.
1945
Second flag raised by Marines on Mount Suribachi. 8th Air Force attacks Hamburg, Germany.
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This Week in WWII – 1st Week of February

1933
Assassination attempt on Hitler. Ludwich Assner, ex-Nazi, sends Hitler a poisoned letter.

1941
Erwin Rommel appointed commander of the Africa Corps.

1942
B-25s take off from Hornet in a test for the bombing of Japan. Japanese troops land on Singapore Island.
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This Week in WWII – 3rd Week of January

1936
First thirteen B-17s are ordered.

1937
FDR is inaugurated as U.S. President.

1941
FDR sends Churchill a letter in which he quotes Longfellow from “Ship of State,” indicating that he supports Churchill in the war effort.
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