Germany and the Soviet Union divide Poland between them.

September 27–29, 1939 Warsaw surrenders on September 27.

The Polish government flees into exile via Romania, first to France and then later to Great Britain.

SeptemThe Soviet Union invades Poland from the east.

SeptemHonoring their guarantee of Poland’s borders, Great Britain and France declare war on Germany.

SeptemGermany invades Poland, initiating World War II in Europe.AugNazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign a non-aggression agreement and a secret protocol dividing eastern Europe into spheres of influence.April 7–15, 1939 Fascist Italy invades and annexes Albania.MaFrance and Great Britain guarantee the integrity of the borders of the Polish state.The Germans occupy the dismantled Czech lands in violation of the Munich agreement and form the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. March 14–15, 1939 Under German pressure, the Slovaks declare their independence and form a Slovak Republic.SeptemGermany, Italy, Great Britain, and France sign the Munich agreement which forces the Czechoslovak Republic to cede the Sudetenland, including key Czechoslovak military defense positions, to Nazi Germany.March 11–13, 1938 Germany incorporates Austria in the Anschluss.NovemItaly joins Germany and Japan in the Anti-Comintern Pact.The pact is directed against the Soviet Union and the international Communist movement. NovemNazi Germany and Imperial Japan sign the Anti-Comintern Pact.On November 1, the Rome-Berlin Axis is announced.

October 25–NovemNazi Germany and Fascist Italy sign a treaty of cooperation on October 25.October 2, 1935–May 1936 Fascist Italy invades, conquers, and annexes Ethiopia.

Battle of the bulge tank losses