German-occupied Europe
Germany and its Axis partners governed more than half of Europe's population by 1942. This vast territory stretched from Franz Josef Land in the Soviet Union to Gavdos in Greece. It extended westward to Ushant in France, creating a continent-spanning empire of control. The timeline began with Czechoslovakia forced to surrender before the war officially started. Poland fell on the 1st of September 1939 after being invaded in battle. Other nations like Italy and Hungary were former allies that later faced German occupation themselves. Finland remained neutral until late 1944 when it switched sides. The map of occupied lands shifted constantly as armies advanced or retreated across the continent.
Nazi Germany established puppet states alongside direct military administrations across the conquered territories. The Reichskommissariat Norwegen governed Norway while the Military Administration in Belgium handled northern France. Austria became part of the Reich on the 12th of March 1938 under the name Reichsgau Kärnten. The General Government administration ran through Poland from the 1st of September 1939 until May 1945. Some regions like the Bailiwick of Guernsey fell under the Military Administration in France starting the 30th of June 1940. The Slovak Republic existed as a puppet state between the 23rd of March 1939 and May 1945. These structures varied from full annexation to loose military oversight depending on local conditions.
Thousands of concentration camps operated throughout German-occupied Europe during the war years. The first camps opened in March 1933 immediately after Adolf Hitler took power. By January 1945, at least 4.7 million Soviet prisoners were registered within these facilities. About 1.65 million people were registered prisoners overall, with roughly one million dying during their imprisonment. Most deaths occurred in the second half of World War II. Eastern Europeans, especially Poles, made up the majority of populations in some camps. Arrests in Western Europe focused on resistance fighters while Eastern Europe saw mass roundups for population policy implementation. Hundreds of thousands died during death marches following Allied victories in 1944 and 1945.
Organized resistance movements emerged across nearly every occupied territory despite severe risks. Polish resistance fought against both the General Government administration and Reichskommissariat Ostland. Danish resistance operated under the Protectorate state from the 9th of April 1940 until the 5th of May 1945. Greek resistance groups challenged the Military Administration in Greece between the 6th of April 1941 and the 8th of May 1945. Yugoslav resistance forces engaged the Territory of the Military Commander in Serbia throughout the occupation period. Finnish resistance began active operations in September 1944 when Finland switched allegiance. These groups conducted sabotage missions and gathered intelligence to undermine Axis control policies.
Legitimate governments fled to Allied countries to maintain sovereignty during the occupation years. The Free France government operated from London between 1940 and 1941 before moving to Algiers. Poland's government-in-exile relocated from Paris to Angers then finally to London on the 12th of June 1940. Norway established its exile capital in London starting the 7th of June 1940. The Kingdom of Yugoslavia set up operations in London from the 7th of June 1941 until March 1945. Some Axis-aligned states like Hungary formed their own exile governments in Vienna by late 1944. These entities continued diplomatic functions while their homelands remained under foreign military rule.
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Common questions
When did Germany occupy Poland during World War II?
Germany invaded and occupied Poland on the 1st of September 1939. The General Government administration ran through Poland from that date until May 1945.
Which puppet states existed under German occupation in Europe?
Nazi Germany established puppet states such as the Slovak Republic which existed between the 23rd of March 1939 and May 1945. Austria became part of the Reich on the 12th of March 1938 under the name Reichsgau Kärnten.
How many Soviet prisoners were registered in concentration camps by January 1945?
By January 1945, at least 4.7 million Soviet prisoners were registered within these facilities. About 1.65 million people were registered prisoners overall with roughly one million dying during their imprisonment.
Where did legitimate governments flee to maintain sovereignty during the war?
Legitimate governments fled to Allied countries including London where Free France operated from 1940 to 1941 before moving to Algiers. Norway established its exile capital in London starting the 7th of June 1940 while Poland's government-in-exile relocated to London on the 12th of June 1940.
When did Finnish resistance begin active operations against Axis control?
Finnish resistance began active operations in September 1944 when Finland switched allegiance. This occurred after Finland remained neutral until late 1944 when it switched sides.