Timeline Friday 10 May 1940

Events on Friday 10 May 1940 9

• 1940 Battle of France Germany overruns France and the Low Countries in six weeks On 10 May Germany attacked the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France, and armoured forces broke through the Ardennes at Sedan. Allied armies were split and pushed back to the Channel coast. France signed an armistice on 22 June, which came into effect on 25 June.
• 1940 British invasion of Iceland Britain occupies Iceland to forestall Germany British forces landed at Reykjavík on 10 May to stop Germany from seizing Iceland and to secure North Atlantic routes. The Icelandic government protested but did not resist. United States forces later took over most of the occupation.
• 1940 Churchill becomes Prime Minister Replaces Chamberlain on same day Germany invades Winston Churchill became British Prime Minister on May 10, 1940 — the same day Germany launched its western offensive. His first speech promised "blood, toil, tears and sweat".
• 1940 – 1945 German occupation in WWII Hongerwinter & liberation Nazi Germany occupies the neutral Netherlands from 1940; the country endures the deportation of its Jewish population and the 1944–45 "Hunger Winter" before liberation in May 1945.
• 1940 – 1944 German occupation in WWII Neutrality overrun Despite its neutrality, Luxembourg is invaded and annexed by Nazi Germany in 1940; resistance and a 1941 census boycott assert national identity before liberation in 1944.
• 1940 – 1945 German occupation of the Netherlands World War II occupation Nazi Germany occupied the Netherlands during World War II while Queen Wilhelmina led the government-in-exile.
• 1940 – 1944 Nazi occupation & resistance A census of defiance Germany occupies and annexes Luxembourg; a 1941 census in which citizens overwhelmingly declare their language and nationality "Luxembourgish" becomes a famous act of resistance.
• 1940 – 1944 Occupation in WWII Invaded again Germany overruns Belgium once more in 1940; the country endures four years of occupation, resistance and the deportation of its Jews before liberation in 1944.
• 1940 Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister Churchill replaces Chamberlain on the day Germany invades the West Neville Chamberlain resigned after the failed Norwegian campaign and the Norway Debate in the Commons. Winston Churchill was appointed Prime Minister on 10 May and formed an all-party coalition government. He led Britain for the rest of the war.