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Major Events of April 1941: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from April 1941 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of April 1941: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 1941 Iraqi Military Coup: A significant political upheaval in Iraq where Rashid Ali al-Gaylani overthrew the regime of Regent 'Abd al-Ilah, installing a pro-German government during World War II.
  • 02 Apr 1941 Hungarian Prime Minister's Tragic Protest: Hungarian Prime Minister Count Teleki commits suicide in a dramatic act of resistance against Nazi Germany's demands. By taking his own life, he refuses to allow German troops passage through Yugoslavia, symbolizing a profound moral stand against Nazi expansion during World War II.
  • 03 Apr 1941 Churchill Warns Stalin of Impending German Invasion: UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill sends a critical diplomatic communication to Soviet leader Josef Stalin, alerting him about the potential German invasion of the Soviet Union, a warning that would prove prophetic in the coming months.
  • 04 Apr 1941 Swedish Military Preparation Against Soviet Union: General Olof Thörnell, commander of Swedish armed forces, submits a strategic report to the government recommending preparedness for potential military engagement against the Soviet Union. The report emphasizes protecting Finland's interests, securing Sweden's geopolitical position, and maintaining national prestige in Northern Europe.
  • 05 Apr 1941 DUPE: Operation Savanna Failure: Operation Savanna concluded with the main Allied objective having failed, representing a strategic setback during World War II.
  • 06 Apr 1941 German Invasion of Yugoslavia Begins: At 0500 hours, the first wave of German Stuka bombers cross into Yugoslavia, initiating a three-day bombardment of Belgrade, marking the start of a significant military offensive during World War II.
  • 07 Apr 1941 Rommel Advances to Derna: German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps successfully reached the strategic coastal city of Derna in Libya, marking a significant advance in the North African campaign and demonstrating the rapid mobility and tactical prowess of German forces.
  • 08 Apr 1941 German Bombing of Belgrade: A massive German bombing raid devastated the Yugoslavian capital city of Belgrade, resulting in over 300,000 civilian casualties. This strategic aerial attack was part of the Axis powers' campaign during World War II, causing unprecedented destruction and human suffering.
  • 09 Apr 1941 Iraqi Coup D'état Installs Pro-Nazi Government: A military coup in Iraq overthrew the existing regime, installing a pro-Nazi government led by Prime Minister Rashid Ali al-Gaylani, significantly altering the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East during World War II.
  • 10 Apr 1941 Establishment of Independent State of Croatia: The Axis powers formally established the Independent State of Croatia (NDH), a puppet state under Nazi and Fascist influence, marking a significant reorganization of the Balkan region during World War II.
  • 11 Apr 1941 German Bombing of Coventry: German Luftwaffe conducted a strategic bombing raid on the city of Coventry, England, as part of the ongoing aerial bombardment campaign during World War II.
  • 12 Apr 1941 German Invasion of Belgrade: During World War II, German military forces entered Belgrade, marking a significant moment in the Axis powers' invasion and occupation of Yugoslavia.
  • 13 Apr 1941 German Occupation of Belgrade: During World War II, German forces successfully occupy Belgrade, the capital of Yugoslavia, marking a significant strategic advancement in the Axis powers' European campaign.
  • 14 Apr 1941 German Raid in Paris: Mass Jewish Roundup: During World War II, the Nazi regime conducted a massive raid in Paris, France, resulting in the roundup of 3,600 Jewish citizens, marking a significant escalation of anti-Semitic persecution.
  • 15 Apr 1941 Belfast Blitz: Devastating German Air Raid: During World War II, the German Luftwaffe conducted a massive bombing raid on Belfast, Northern Ireland, with 200 bombers causing extensive destruction and killing approximately 1,000 civilians, making it one of the deadliest air attacks on Northern Ireland during the war.
  • 16 Apr 1941 Battle of the Tarigo Convoy: A significant naval engagement occurred off the Kerkennah Islands near Tunisia. The British destroyer HMS Mohawk was sunk, while the Italians suffered substantial losses, including two destroyers and five cargo ships.
  • 17 Apr 1941 Yugoslavia Signs Armistice with Axis Powers: On April 17, 1941, Yugoslavia officially signed an armistice with Germany and Italy, marking the complete surrender of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia during World War II. This event signaled the end of Yugoslavia's resistance and its occupation by Axis forces.
  • 18 Apr 1941 Messerschmitt Me 262 Prototype's First Test Flight: The groundbreaking Messerschmitt Me 262, considered the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft, conducted its initial test flight. Notably, this first flight was performed with a piston engine, marking an important milestone in aviation and military technology during World War II.
  • 19 Apr 1941 German Air Raid on London: A nighttime German air raid on London resulted in the tragic death of 13 firefighters, highlighting the brutal nature of the Blitz and the courage of emergency services.
  • 20 Apr 1941 Greek Army Corps Surrenders to Germans: Greek General Georgios Tsolakoglou strategically surrendered the Greek III Army Corps to German forces, deliberately denying the Italians a perceived victory and highlighting the complex dynamics of the Balkan campaign during World War II.
  • 21 Apr 1941 Greece Surrenders to Nazi Germany in World War II: On April 21, 1941, Greece officially surrendered to Nazi Germany during World War II, marking a significant moment in the Axis powers' invasion of the Balkan region. The Greek military was overwhelmed by the German Wehrmacht's superior military strength and strategic capabilities.
  • 22 Apr 1941 British and Australian Forces Evacuate from Greece: During World War II, British military and civilian personnel began a strategic withdrawal from Greece. Allied forces, including British and Australian troops, evacuated to Crete and Egypt, marking a significant moment in the Mediterranean theater of the war. This evacuation was part of the larger Allied retreat following the German invasion of Greece.
  • 23 Apr 1941 Greek Army Surrenders, King Evacuates: The Greek Army surrendered to Nazi German forces, and King George II was evacuated to Egypt by the Royal Air Force (RAF), signaling the fall of Greece during World War II.
  • 24 Apr 1941 Operation Demon: British Evacuation from Greece: The United Kingdom initiates Operation Demon, beginning the strategic evacuation of Allied forces from Greece in the face of German invasion.
  • 25 Apr 1941 Roosevelt Criticizes Lindbergh's Isolationist Stance: President Franklin D. Roosevelt publicly criticizes Charles Lindbergh during a press conference, comparing his isolationist views to the Copperheads of the Civil War period. In response, Lindbergh resigns his commission in the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve on April 28, highlighting the intense political debate surrounding U.S. involvement in World War II.
  • 26 Apr 1941 First Organ Performance at a Baseball Stadium: At Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, a groundbreaking musical tradition began with the first-ever organ performance during a baseball game. This moment would significantly influence stadium entertainment and become a beloved feature of baseball culture in the United States.
  • 27 Apr 1941 German Occupation of Athens during World War II: During World War II, German troops entered and occupied Athens, marking a significant moment in the Axis powers' expansion across Europe. The fall of Athens represented a strategic victory for Nazi Germany in their Mediterranean campaign.
  • 28 Apr 1941 Ustaše Massacre in Gudovac: The Ustaše, a Croatian fascist movement, committed a horrific massacre of nearly 200 Serbs in the village of Gudovac, marking the beginning of their systematic genocidal campaign against Serbs in the Independent State of Croatia during World War II.
  • 29 Apr 1941 German Occupation of Athens During World War II: On April 29, 1941, German Wehrmacht troops entered Athens, marking a significant moment in the Greek campaign during World War II. The invasion followed the successful Axis offensive against Greece, which began on October 28, 1940, when Italy attacked Greek positions. After fierce resistance from Greek and British Commonwealth forces, the German military ultimately overwhelmed the defenders and occupied the Greek capital, symbolizing the fall of Greece to Axis powers.
  • 30 Apr 1941 DUPE: Rommel's Tobruk Campaign Halted: German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel is ordered to cease his military offensive against the strategic port city of Tobruk in North Africa after experiencing another unsuccessful attack. This moment represents a critical point in the North African Campaign of World War II, highlighting the resilience of Allied defenses.