French Policeman and German Officer salute each other in Paris, 1941
Overview of Key Events June 25, 1940, saw the formal cessation of hostilities between France and Italy, following the signing of their armistice. The French government continued its deep retreat, establishing its new seat in Vichy.
Europe and Atlantic
The Franco-Italian Armistice, signed on June 24, formally came into effect at 00:35 AM local time, ending major hostilities between the two nations. This agreement followed the Franco-German Armistice and recognized Italy’s limited territorial gains along the Alpine border.
France’s official surrender to Germany takes effect at 01:35 and Operation Aerial, the evacuation of fighting men from France to Britain, came to a close. The French ceded the province of Alsace and Loraine and Germany occupied northern France and the coastline to the border with Spain.
The French government formally moved to Vichy, a spa town in central France. This relocation established the seat of the new Vichy France regime, which would collaborate with Nazi Germany.
Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East
With the Franco-Italian Armistice taking effect, military actions between French and Italian forces in the Mediterranean and North Africa formally ceased.
Asia
No specific major events were reported in Asia on this date.
Pacific
No specific major events were reported in the Pacific on this date.
Outcomes: The cessation of hostilities between France and Italy solidified Axis control over Western Europe. The establishment of the Vichy government marked a new, grim chapter for France.
Key Personalities
Philippe Pétain: Head of the new Vichy French government.
Benito Mussolini: Italian dictator.
June 25, 1941
Finish troops crossing the Murmansk railway line, 1941
Overview of Key Events June 25, 1941, marked the fourth day of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. On this day, Finland officially entered the conflict by declaring war on the Soviet Union, opening a new front. German forces continued their rapid, destructive advances, trapping vast numbers of Soviet troops.
Europe and Atlantic
Finland officially declared war on the Soviet Union, launching the Continuation War. This move followed Soviet air attacks on Finnish cities after Finland had allowed German troops to stage on its territory. Finnish forces immediately began offensive operations, aiming to regain territories lost in the Winter War.
In response to the Finnish declaration and previous German advances, Soviet forces conducted retaliatory air raids against targets in Finland. The Soviets put up 460 fighters and bombers and caused considerable damage, including to Finish civilian areas. This raid helped the Fins to frame the conflict as a defensive war.
On the Eastern Front, Operation Barbarossa continued its devastating progress. German forces, particularly the Panzer Groups, made deep penetrations into Soviet territory. The vast Białystok–Minsk pocket began to form, trapping hundreds of thousands of Soviet soldiers of the Western Special Military District.
A Lithuanian Provisional Government was formed in Kaunas, Lithuania, following the anti-Soviet June Uprising, aiming to restore Lithuanian independence amidst the German invasion.
Holocaust-related events: The Kaunas Pogrom began, perpetrated by Lithuanians with German oversight with many Jews mistreated and murdered. These included Rabbi Rav Zalman Osovsky who was tied to a chair by his hand and foot and his head was laid on the open pages of the Talmud and then sawn off. The wife and son of the Rabbi were also murdered and his head was displayed with a sign which read “This is what we’ll do to all the Jews”.
Sweden, a neutral state in the war, acceded to the German request to allow the transit across its territory of German 163rd Infantry Division. The Germans travelled by train to Finland to join in the assault against the Soviet Union. The event is known as the ‘Midsummer Crisis‘ in Sweden, after King Gustav V threatened to abdicate if permission wasn’t given. But, there is some doubt whether the involvement of Gustav was invented at the time to protect the political legacy of the Social Democratic Party in Sweden. Regardless, it shows a disregard for the neutrality that Sweden had sought to project.
Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East
No specific major events were reported in the Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East on this date in the referenced timeline.
Asia
No specific major events were reported in Asia on this date.
Pacific
No specific major events were reported in the Pacific on this date.
Outcomes: Finland’s entry into the war opened a new northern front against the Soviet Union. German forces continued to inflict massive damage on the Red Army through rapid advances and large-scale encirclements, while the horrific mass killings by the Einsatzgruppen intensified.
Key Personalities
Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim: Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish Defence Forces.
General Heinz Guderian: Commander, German Panzer Group 2, instrumental in forming the Minsk pocket.
Joseph Stalin: Soviet leader.
June 25, 1942
Soviet anti aircraft gunners, 1942
Overview of Key Events On June 25, 1942, Rommel’s Afrika Korps continued its swift advance into Egypt, arriving at Mersa Matruh in preparation to attack British positions the next day. On the Eastern Front, the Siege of Sevastopol was in its final moments, and Adolf Hitler took direct command of a key German Army Group.
Europe and Atlantic
On the Eastern Front, the brutal Siege of Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula was nearing its end, with German Eleventh Army forces under General Erich von Manstein making the final pushes against the last Soviet defenders. The city was on the verge of falling and the Luftwaffe were flying high intensity bombing missions.
Allied air forces continued their strategic bombing campaign against German industrial targets. On this date, Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command conducted a significant raid on Bremen, a major port and industrial city in Germany. The raid used every available aircraft in RAF Bomber Command and some other commands and 1,067 bombers took part. During the raid the Focke-Wulf factory was severely damaged as were several other facilities including docks and shipyards were also hit, along with 6,680 houses damaged or destroyed.
Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East
In North Africa, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps continued its rapid advance into Egypt, recon units arrived at the important port town of Mersa Matruh. Rommel planned to launch his attack against the British the following day. .
In the aftermath of Tobruk’s fall and Rommel’s subsequent advance, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an urgent trip to Washington D.C. to meet with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to discuss the critical situation in North Africa and the immediate need for increased military aid.
Asia
No specific major events were reported in Asia on this date.
Pacific
No specific major events were reported in the Pacific on this date.
Outcomes: Rommel’s relentless offensive in North Africa threatens Egypt. Hitler’s direct command signalled the intensification of German efforts on the Eastern Front. The strategic bombing campaign against Germany continued.
Key Personalities
Field Marshal Erwin Rommel: Commander, German Afrika Korps, capturing Mersa Matruh.
Adolf Hitler: German Führer, assuming command of Army Group A.
Winston Churchill: British Prime Minister, meeting with FDR.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: U.S. President.
June 25, 1943
Overview of Key Events On June 25, 1943, Allied air power was brought to bear on key Axis targets in preparation for upcoming invasions. Strategic bombing intensified against Sicily, a prelude to the ground invasion, while the colossal preparations for the Battle of Kursk continued on the Eastern Front.
Europe and Atlantic
On the Eastern Front, the immense preparations for the impending Battle of Kursk continued intensively. Both the German Wehrmacht (planning Operation Citadel) and the Soviet Red Army continued to finalize their colossal concentrations of armor, artillery, and infantry, anticipating the German offensive.
Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East
Allied air forces conducted heavy bombing raids against Messina, Sicily, a crucial port city on the island. These raids were part of the aerial softening-up campaign preceding Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily, aiming to disrupt Axis supply lines and defenses.
Asia
No specific major events were reported in Asia on this date.
Pacific
No specific major events were reported in the Pacific on this date.
Outcomes: Allied air power intensified its preparatory strikes against Axis targets in Sicily. Both the Eastern Front and the Mediterranean remained on the cusp of major, decisive military operations.
Key Personalities
General Dwight D. Eisenhower: Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater, overseeing air operations against Sicily.
June 25, 1944
Led by their piper, 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders advancing, 26 June 1944
Overview of Key Events June 25, 1944, saw fierce fighting across multiple fronts. Operation Bagration on the Eastern Front continued to devastate German forces. In Normandy, British forces launched a major offensive, while U.S. forces attempting to capture Cherbourg. The relentless V-1 attacks on London persisted, and the horrific deportations to Auschwitz continued unabated.
Europe and Atlantic
Operation Bagration, the massive Soviet summer offensive, continued to gain overwhelming momentum on the Eastern Front. The Soviet Red Army achieved significant victories, completing the destruction of large German formations around Bobruisk and further encircling German Army Group Centre forces.
In Normandy, British forces launched Operation Epsom, a major offensive aimed at capturing Caen and securing a bridgehead west of the Orne River. The British VIII Corps spearheaded the attack against determined German resistance, including elements of the 12th SS Panzer Division “Hitlerjugend.”
The U.S. First Army continued the fight to capture port city of Cherbourg on the Cotentin Peninsula, neutralizing remaining pockets of German resistance.
Germany continued its retaliatory V-1 flying bomb attacks on London and other targets in southeastern England, causing civilian casualties and psychological strain.
Holocaust-related events: The systematic mass deportation of Hungarian Jews to Auschwitz-Birkenau continued at an unprecedented rate. Trains arrived daily, carrying thousands of victims for immediate extermination as part of the Final Solution.
Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East
On the Italian Front, Allied forces of the 15th Army Group continued their pursuit of the retreating German Tenth Army as they withdrew towards the Gothic Line in northern Italy.
Asia
In China, Japanese forces continued their advance as part of Operation Ichi-Go, consolidating gains and pushing deeper into central and southern China.
In Burma, remnants of the Japanese 15th Army continued their disastrous retreat from the Kohima-Imphal offensive. The British 14th Army, under General William Slim, continued its pursuit, exploiting the Japanese collapse.
Pacific
On Saipan (Operation Forager), intense ground combat continued as U.S. V Amphibious Corps units pressed their advance against deeply entrenched and fiercely resisting Japanese 31st Army defenders.
Outcomes: Operation Bagration inflicted catastrophic losses on German forces on the Eastern Front. Allied ground offensives continued in Normandy and Italy. The Holocaust continued its systematic extermination, and V-1 attacks persisted.
Key Personalities
Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky: Commander of the 1st Belorussian Front, leading key parts of Operation Bagration.
General Miles Dempsey: Commander of the British Second Army, overseeing Operation Epsom.
Lieutenant General Omar Bradley: Commander of the U.S. First Army, clearing Cherbourg.
Adolf Eichmann: Senior SS official, central to Holocaust deportations.
June 25, 1945
Australian 2/32 Battalion aboard US vehicle, Operation Obeo 6 in 1945
Overview of Key Events On June 25, 1945, with victory in Europe secured, the global conflict’s focus remained on the Pacific and Asia. A monumental diplomatic achievement occurred with the signing of the United Nations Charter, laying the groundwork for a new international order.
Europe and Atlantic
In San Francisco, United States, the United Nations Charter was formally signed by representatives of 50 nations. This landmark document established the United Nations Organization, an international body dedicated to promoting peace, security, and cooperation among nations in the post-war world. This was a crucial step in shaping the new global diplomatic landscape.
Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East
No specific major events were widely reported in the Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East on this date. The region was in a state of post-war stabilization.
Asia
In Borneo, the Australian 7th Division continued its final preparations for Operation Oboe Six, the amphibious assault on Balikpapan, scheduled for July 1. This included extensive naval and air bombardments targeting Japanese defenses.
The Australian 9th Division also continued its ground operations on Labuan Island and the Borneo mainland, engaging Japanese forces in localized actions.
In China, Japanese forces continued their general strategic retreat from southern China. Chinese Nationalist forces continued to advance, recapturing territory.
In Burma, remnants of the Japanese Burma Area Army were in disarray, continuing their desperate retreat. The British 14th Army continued its pursuit and mopping-up operations.
Pacific
No specific major events were reported in the Pacific on this date, following the official end of the Battle of Okinawa and ongoing preparations for new offensives.
Outcomes: The signing of the United Nations Charter laid the foundation for a new era of international cooperation. Allied forces continued their advances against the retreating Japanese in Asia, bringing the war closer to a final conclusion.
Key Personalities
Harry S. Truman: U.S. President, whose administration oversaw the signing of the UN Charter.
Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek: Leader of Nationalist Chinese forces.
General William Slim: Commander of the British 14th Army in Burma.
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Each Day in World War II – 25th June
June 25, 1940
Overview of Key Events June 25, 1940, saw the formal cessation of hostilities between France and Italy, following the signing of their armistice. The French government continued its deep retreat, establishing its new seat in Vichy.
Europe and Atlantic
Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East
Asia
Pacific
Outcomes: The cessation of hostilities between France and Italy solidified Axis control over Western Europe. The establishment of the Vichy government marked a new, grim chapter for France.
Key Personalities
June 25, 1941
Overview of Key Events June 25, 1941, marked the fourth day of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. On this day, Finland officially entered the conflict by declaring war on the Soviet Union, opening a new front. German forces continued their rapid, destructive advances, trapping vast numbers of Soviet troops.
Europe and Atlantic
Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East
Asia
Pacific
Outcomes: Finland’s entry into the war opened a new northern front against the Soviet Union. German forces continued to inflict massive damage on the Red Army through rapid advances and large-scale encirclements, while the horrific mass killings by the Einsatzgruppen intensified.
Key Personalities
June 25, 1942
Overview of Key Events On June 25, 1942, Rommel’s Afrika Korps continued its swift advance into Egypt, arriving at Mersa Matruh in preparation to attack British positions the next day. On the Eastern Front, the Siege of Sevastopol was in its final moments, and Adolf Hitler took direct command of a key German Army Group.
Europe and Atlantic
Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East
Asia
Pacific
Outcomes: Rommel’s relentless offensive in North Africa threatens Egypt. Hitler’s direct command signalled the intensification of German efforts on the Eastern Front. The strategic bombing campaign against Germany continued.
Key Personalities
June 25, 1943
Overview of Key Events On June 25, 1943, Allied air power was brought to bear on key Axis targets in preparation for upcoming invasions. Strategic bombing intensified against Sicily, a prelude to the ground invasion, while the colossal preparations for the Battle of Kursk continued on the Eastern Front.
Europe and Atlantic
Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East
Asia
Pacific
Outcomes: Allied air power intensified its preparatory strikes against Axis targets in Sicily. Both the Eastern Front and the Mediterranean remained on the cusp of major, decisive military operations.
Key Personalities
June 25, 1944
Overview of Key Events June 25, 1944, saw fierce fighting across multiple fronts. Operation Bagration on the Eastern Front continued to devastate German forces. In Normandy, British forces launched a major offensive, while U.S. forces attempting to capture Cherbourg. The relentless V-1 attacks on London persisted, and the horrific deportations to Auschwitz continued unabated.
Europe and Atlantic
Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East
Asia
Pacific
Outcomes: Operation Bagration inflicted catastrophic losses on German forces on the Eastern Front. Allied ground offensives continued in Normandy and Italy. The Holocaust continued its systematic extermination, and V-1 attacks persisted.
Key Personalities
June 25, 1945
Overview of Key Events On June 25, 1945, with victory in Europe secured, the global conflict’s focus remained on the Pacific and Asia. A monumental diplomatic achievement occurred with the signing of the United Nations Charter, laying the groundwork for a new international order.
Europe and Atlantic
Mediterranean including North Africa and Middle East
Asia
Pacific
Outcomes: The signing of the United Nations Charter laid the foundation for a new era of international cooperation. Allied forces continued their advances against the retreating Japanese in Asia, bringing the war closer to a final conclusion.
Key Personalities
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World War II