7–9 Dec 1941 Central America enters WWII
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In the wake of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Cuba declared war on Japan in support of the United States. Most of these nations would also declare war on Germany and Italy a few days later following Hitler’s declaration of war on the US.
in wikipedia
11 Dec 1941 Germany at war with U.S.
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Claiming that US President Franklin Roosevelt had repeatedly violated all rules of neutrality, and noting in particular his “shoot on sight” order, Nazi Germany declared war against the United States of America on 11 December 1941. The decision to declare war was made by German leader Adolf Hitler, almost without consultation. Later that day, the United States responded by declaring war on Germany.
in wikipedia
24–25 Dec 1941 Rallying of St. Pierre and Miquelon
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On Christmas Eve 1941 a 230-man Free French force under Émile Muselier, and including the submarine Surcouf and three corvettes, arrived in the Vichy French-controlled islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, partially to pre-empt a feared Canadian invasion of the archipelago. After a twenty minute stand-off, the Vichy administration agreed to a referendum the following day, which voted 98.2% in favor of Free France. The action—which had been secretly carried out despite being forbidden by the United States as contrary to the Monroe Doctrine—caused a short-lived diplomatic incident between the Americans and the Free French.
in wikipedia
14 Jan–? Aug 1942 Second Happy Time
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Taking advantage of the unprepared and disorganized US defenses, German submarines launched attacks on shipping along the East Coast of the United States, sinking 609 ships totaling 3.1 million tons and killing thousands for a loss of only 22 U-boats. From May 1942, the US began introducing countermeasures such as convoys and blackouts in coastal towns, dramatically reducing shipping losses.
in wikipedia
19 Feb 1942–20 Mar 1946 Internment of Japanese Americans
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With the issuance of Executive Order 9066, US President Franklin Roosevelt authorized the deportation and incarceration of people of Japanese ancestry in designated “military areas”. Under the order, some 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated from the West Coast to camps in the interior, only to return home after the War. By contrast, a little over 11,000 Germans were interned.
in wikipedia
23–25 Feb 1942 West Coast invasion scare
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Just after 7pm on 23 February 1942, a Japanese submarine fired on US coastal targets in the vicinity of Ellwood field, near Santa Barbara, California. Although the attack caused little damage, it helped spread fear along the West Coast. The following night, claimed sightings of enemy aircraft led to the so-called Battle of Los Angeles, where confused anti-aircraft fire and general panic resulted in 5 deaths across the city over what is now generally believed to be a false alarm.
in wikipedia
22 May 1942 Mexico enters World War II
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Following the loss of oil ships to German U-Boat attacks, Mexico declared war on Germany, Italy, and Japan on 22 May 1942. Along with Brazil, Mexico would be one of the only two independent Latin American countries to send troops abroad to fight in World War II. One of its most notable contributions was the 201st Fighter Squadron (the Aztec Eagles)—300 volunteers who fought with the United States against Japan in the Pacific.
in wikipedia
4–7 Jun 1942 Battle of Midway
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In an attempt to lure the US Pacific Fleet’s few remaining aircraft carriers into a trap, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched an offensive against Midway Atoll. Warned of Japanese plans by its code-breakers, the US was prepared for the attack and successfully ambushed the Japanese force, sinking all four of its major aircraft carriers—Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu—and a heavy cruiser for the loss of just the carrier Yorktown and a destroyer.
in wikipedia
6 Jun 1942–15 Aug 1943 Aleutian Island campaign
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In June 1942, Japanese troops landed on Attu and Kiska, in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, capturing them without opposition. The islands were retaken by the United States in May and August 1943.
in wikipedia
8 Aug 1942–9 Feb 1943 Guadalcanal Campaign
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After the US landings on Guadalcanal, the Japanese mounted several attempts to retake the incomplete Japanese airfield there (dubbed ‘Henderson Field’). After the failure of three major land battles, seven large naval battles, and continuous air battles, the Japanese withdrew from the island. In all, Japanese losses were 19,200 dead, 38 ships, and up to 880 aircraft for US losses of 7,100 dead, 38 ships, and 615 aircraft.
in wikipedia
8–16 Nov 1942 Operation Torch
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On 8 November 1942 some 100,000 American, British, and Free French troops landed in Vichy French North Africa in Operation Torch. The landings were conducted simultaneously around Casablanca in French Morocco and around the French Algerian cities of Oran and Algiers. After a few days of Vichy French resistance, Admiral François Darlan—the commander of all Vichy French forces and who happened to be in Algiers at the time—agreed to cooperate with the Allies.
in wikipedia
18 Mar–14 Jul 1943 Free French victory in West Indies
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When France fell in 1940, the French territories in the West Indies remained in support of the pro-German Vichy regime. Most important was Martinique, which accepted much of France’s gold reserves and formed a safe haven for the remnants of the French fleet, including the aircraft carrier Béarn. Free French overthrew the Vichy government in French Guiana in March 1943, followed by Martinique, Guadeloupe, and St. Martin in July.
in wikipedia
