Aug 15, 1940: US Assistant Chief of Naval Operations Rear Admiral Robert L. Ghormley arrives in London with other senior American officers for talks with British counterparts Aug 16, 1940: US government in discussions with Britain about takeover of bases to strengthen defense of Panama Canal Zone Aug 17, 1940: Japan demands to take over…
Aug 8, 1940: 126 Japanese lawmakers call for ouster of British Empire from East Asia Aug 9, 1940: Britain, under immense strain from war with Germany, withdraws troops from Shanghai Aug 10, 1940: United States says it will keep its troops in China despite British withdrawal. Aug 11, 1940: Growing Soviet naval presence in Pacific…
Aug 1, 1940: US Navy sets up Alaskan Sector under the 13th Naval District, appointing Captain Ralph C. Parker as commander. Photo: Naval History and Heritage Command Aug 2, 1940: Japanese government expands on its previously announced plan for ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’ Aug 3, 1940: China says 60 Japanese generals have been killed…
July 25, 1940: Japanese troop movements observed near China’s border with French Indochina July 26, 1940: US President Franklin D. Roosevelt halts the export to Japan, without license, of aviation gasoline and certain classes of iron and steel scrap July 27, 1940: Japanese forces make landing in south China near Hong Kong July 28, 1940:…
July 18, 1940: Britain bows to Japanese pressure and temporarily closes down Burma Road, essential lifeline to beleaguered Chinese forces July 19, 1940: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs ‘Two Oceans Navy’ Act, calling for huge expansion involving surface ships, submarines and aircraft. Picture source: National Archives July 20, 1940: Admiral Jean Decoux takes over as…
July 11, 1940: Frank Knox assumes office as US secretary of the navy July 12, 1940: Light cruiser USS Phoenix reaches Chile’s Pacific coast on goodwill tour to South American nation. July 13, 1940: To appease Japan, Britain offers partial closure of Burma Road, one of the only supply lines to beleaguered free China July…
July 4, 1940: Admiral James O. Richardson, Commander in Chief, United States Fleet, in Washington for discussions on keeping US Pacific Fleet in Hawaiian waters. Richardson opposes the idea, believing it puts the force at risk July 5, 1940: President Franklin D. Roosevelt bans exports to Japan of aircraft engines and strategic minerals, invoking the…
June 27, 1940: US President Franklin D. Roosevelt invokes 1917 Espionage Act in order to monitor ship movements near Panama Canal June 28, 1940: As French General Charles de Gaulle vows to continue fight against Germany, it is unclear if he will be followed by French troops in Indochina June 29, 1940: Fears growing in…
June 20, 1940: Light cruiser USS Phoenix leaves Hawaiian waters for goodwill tour of Pacific coast of South America. Photo: Naval History and Heritage Command June 21, 1940: As France collapses under German attack, the French Governor General of Indochina, Georges Catroux, is under intense Japanese pressure to close supply lines to beleaguered Chinese government…
June 13, 1940: As France faces collapse in war with Germany, Japan applies pressure to French authorities in Indochina, warning them against providing aid to beleaguered Chinese government June 14, 1940: US Secretary of State Cordell Hull condemns Japanese aerial attacks on Chinese wartime capital of Chongqing June 15, 1940: US President Franklin D. Roosevelt…
