March 13, 1941: Captain H.C. Biard, military expert of the British Royal Air Force, says “the Japanese have not one single home-built war plane that could stand up for three minutes to a frontline equivalent from the United States, Britain, Germany – no, not even Italy or Russia!” March 14, 1941: Kita Nagao arrives in…
March 6, 1941: Japan says it has succeeded in cutting off southern supply routes to territories controlled by Nationalist China March 7, 1941: Two French submarines reportedly arrived in Indochina, as pressure from Japan intensifies March 8, 1941: Japanese Ambassador Nomura Kichisaburo has first extensive dialogue with US Secretary of State Cordell Hull on solving…
Feb 27, 1941: German newspaper warns that neither Germany nor its Axis partners Japan and Italy will accept American attempts to limit their “Lebensraum” (living space) Feb 28, 1941: Britain assures Japan its buildup of forces in Far East shows no aggressive intent and simply reflects the need to mobilize for total war March 1,…
Feb 20, 1941: To showcase the performance of the new Jeep vehicle, test driver takes it up the Capitol steps in Washington DC Feb 21, 1941: Aircraft carrier USS Enterprise arrives at Hawaii with thirty Curtiss P-36 Hawk planes to be based at Wheeler Field. Image: National Archives Feb 22, 1941: Japan fears French colonial…
Feb 13, 1941: Light cruiser USS Savannah arrives at Midway along with USS Brooklyn and Philadelphia, carrying remnants of 3rd Marine Defense Battalion, which is to garrison the island. Feb 14, 1941: The new Japanese ambassador to the United States, Admiral Nomura Kichisaburo, presents his credentials to President Franklin D. Roosevelt at White House…
Feb 6, 1941: Japanese troops seize territory north of Hong Kong in bid to cut supply route to Chinese forces from British colony Feb 7, 1941: Japanese Admiral Osumi Mineo is confirmed killed after his plane is shot down by guerrillas in south China Feb 8, 1941: US General Walter Short is appointed head of…
Jan 30, 1941: Proposed anti-espionage law in Japan demands death penalty for illegal collection of sensitive information Jan 31, 1941: Japan brokers peace in border war between Thailand and French Indochina Feb 1, 1941: 1st US Marine Division is activated Feb 2, 1941: Japanese troops reportedly in fierce battles in central Chinese province of Henan…
Jan 23, 1941: Admiral Nomura Kichisaburo, Japan’s new ambassador to the United States, departs on board the passenger ship Kamakura Maru Jan 24, 1941: Japanese Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku outlines huge stakes if war breaks out with the United States: “It would not be enough that we take Guam and the Philippines, nor even Hawaii and…
Jan 16, 1941: French forces launch successful counteroffensive against Thai Army in Cambodian border region Jan 17, 1941: French naval vessel Amiral Charner forms part of small flotilla defeating Thai force in battle of Ko Chang Jan 17, 1941: Rear Admiral Thomas Withers takes over command of US Submarine Scouting Force. Image: Naval History and…
Jan 9, 1941: Thai forces invade French Indochina, vowing to take back border areas that it claims to have possessed historically Jan 10, 1941: President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduces Lend Lease agreement to Congress, aiming to enable the United States to supply Britain and other nations such as China with weapons and other materiel to…
