World War II - 80 Years On

I think the OP is going by the start of WWII in Europe w the Nazi and Soviet invasion of Poland.

I think most sources identify several precursors, as you indicate, as other possible beginning dates.

Tons of info in the Wikipedia Portal:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:World_War_II

BTW, you can research your grandfather’s history with the military by going through the branch of service. I did this with my godfather who’s listed on the Viet Nam wall. I can barely remember him but finding out more about his service made me feel just a little bit more connected with him.

 

I had a bunch of his stuff, including the invasion map an time table for the operation.
My asshole of a father got a legal order for me to return it to him as it was “his” according to my grandmother’s will... along with my portion of the inheritance...

 

Not much you can do at that point ‘cept mitigate future crap as much as you can.

 

Well, the Feds have taken care of the Kharma
Side of things... sent his ass to the pen for 5.

I don’t play well with felons...

 

September 6, 1939, from Wikipedia,

"Britain suffers its first fighter pilot casualty of the Second World War at the Battle of Barking Creek as a result of friendly fire."

"South Africa declares war on Nazi Germany."

 

This is world war I stuff but have you guys seen this? I ordered the dvd...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Shall_Not_Grow_Old

 

Fantastic...lives up to the hype.

 

Gonna watch that tonight, thanks!

 

Im waiting on my dvd...

 

September 7, 1939 from Wikipedia:

The National Registration Act 1939 is passed in Britain introducing identity cards and allowing the government to control labour.

France begins a token offensive, moving into German territory near Saarbrücken.

 

I should get my dvd tomorrow

 

September 9, 1939, from Wikipedia,

"The Battle of Hel begins, the longest-defended pocket of Polish Army resistance during the German invasion of Poland."

 

My grandpa was a Staff Sergeant in the 8th Armored Division (Thundering Herd), Company B, 130th Ordinance Maintenance Battalion. They left New Jersey for England in the winter of 1944. The 8th went through France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany, liberated the Zwieberg concentration camp, and ended in Czechoslovakia. He didn't earn enough points to be "done", so it was then off for more fun in Korea.... Which he was always super pissed about ;^)

 

September 10, 1939, from Wikipedia,

"The submarine HMS Oxley is mistakenly sunk by the submarine HMS Triton near Norway and becomes the Royal Navy's first loss of a submarine in the war."

"Canada declares war on Germany, joining the Allies: Poland, France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia."

 

September 14, 1939, from Wikipedia,

"The Estonian military boards the Polish submarine ORP Orzeł in Tallinn, sparking a diplomatic incident that the Soviet Union will later use to justify the annexation of Estonia."

 

I finally watched that world war I documentary "they shall never grow old". all I can say is wow...they went through some $hit...

 

September 17, 1939, from Wikipedia,

"The Soviet invasion of Poland begins."

"German submarine U-29 sinks the British aircraft carrier HMS Courageous."

 

September 18, 1939, from Wikipedia,

"The Polish government of Ignacy Mościcki flees to Romania."

"The radio show Germany Calling begins transmitting Nazi propaganda."

 

September 19, 1939, from Wikipedia,

"The Battle of Kępa Oksywska concludes, with Polish losses reaching roughly 14% of all the forces engaged."

 

We’re still getting propaganda