June 6, 1940: Japanese passenger liner Nitta Matu arrives in Los Angeles for the first time, heralding new age in transport across the Pacific. (Two years on, it is converted into an escort carrier by the Japanese Navy.) June 7, 1940: Wang Kemin, 61-year-old leader of Japan-backed north Chinese puppet regime, resigns due to…
May 30, 1940: Possibility of German victory in Europe prompt US Senate Naval Affairs Committee to discuss likelihood that US Navy will have to fight war in Pacific and Atlantic at the same time. Photo: National Archives May 31, 1940: Japan considers tighter media curbs to better manage public opinion as China war will soon…
May 23, 1940: Japanese press, citing ‘reliable sources’, says Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong, right, has died from tuberculosis May 24, 1940: Japanese forces renew offensive in China’s Hubei province May 25, 1940: Japan says even if Italy enters war on Germany’s side, it will not follow suit May 26, 1940: Largest Japanese air…
May 16, 1940: As war seems to draw closer to the US, President Franklin D. Roosevelt calls for 50,000 planes to be built annually May 17, 1940: US President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders 35 ageing WWI-era destroyers be put back into service to meet the requirements for national defense in a deteriorating global situation May…
May 9, 1940: Japanese Army allocates hundreds of tanks to offensive in China’s Henan and Hubei province May 10, 1940: Just hours after Germany invades the Netherlands, martial law is declared in the Dutch East Indies May 11, 1940: One day after Germany invades the Netherlands, severing its ties with its overseas possession, US Secretary…
May 2, 1940: Japan says it pursues a policy of ‘non-involvement’ in the European war May 3, 1940: Japanese forces advancing in China’s Anhui province reportedly met by counteroffensive May 4, 1940: Artists perform at ‘Night of Nights for China’, a show at New York’s Center Theater to raise money for Chinese refugees and war…
April 25, 1940: Netherlands plans expansion of its fleet in East Indies due to growing tension in Asia April 26, 1940: Aircraft carrier USS Wasp is commissioned April 27, 1940: Japanese forces launch offensive against Chinese troops in Shanxi province but meet stubborn resistance April 28, 1940: Vice Admiral Geoffrey Layton is named new commander…
April 18, 1940: US Senate approves Navy bill foreseeing the acquisition of two 45,000-ton battleships, two cruisers, one aircraft carrier, eight destroyers, six submarines and five auxiliary vessels April 19, 1940: Japanese radio accuses China’s First Lady, Song Meiling, her sisters and other relatives of having hidden large fortunes in Europe April 20, 1940: Reports…
April 11, 1940: German invasion of Scandinavia followed intensely by Japan, with Tokyo press calling it the biggest event in the war since Soviet attack on Poland and expecting US involvement a matter of time. In that case, a pro-German newspaper argues, Japan “must cast off cloak of neutrality” April 12, 1940: US Navy destroyer…
April 4, 1940: Japan warns Britain it may take action if Royal Navy seeks to extend blockade of Germany to waters nears its shores, for example shipments arriving at Vladivostok April 5, 1940: Collaborationist Chinese regime praises Japan for pledge to give up special privileges in Shanghai and other cities, juxtaposing it with the insistence…
