When did the Phoney War period begin and end?
The Phoney War began on the 1st of September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. The period ended definitively in June 1940 following the German invasion of France and the Dunkirk evacuation.
Questions about Phoney War
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who coined the term Phoney War for World War II?
American journalist U.S. Senator William Borah coined the phrase Phoney War to describe Western Front inactivity in September 1939. British newspapers initially called this quiet phase a Bore War before Borah introduced his terminology.
What was the Saar Offensive during the Phoney War?
French Armed Forces launched the Saar Offensive on the 7th of September 1939 as their only major action during the Phoney War period. Eleven French divisions advanced into German territory but withdrew by October 17 after occupying twelve villages near Saarbrücken.
Which naval battles occurred during the Phoney War?
A German submarine sank the British liner SS Athenia off the Hebrides on the 3rd of September 1939 killing 112 people. The British aircraft carrier HMS Courageous sank on the 17th of September 1939 while the battleship HMS Royal Oak went down in Scapa Flow on October 14.
How did the Norway campaign end the Phoney War?
Operation Weserübung began on the 9th of April 1940 when German troops invaded Denmark and Norway ending the quiet phase. Fighting continued until June 1940 when Norwegian forces laid down arms and Allied troops evacuated ceding Norway to Germany.