Pommern in WW2 History | World War II Database

28 Jan 1903

Germany

Oderwerke Maschinenfabrik & Schiffsbauwerft AG reorganized its previous acquisitions in Stettin, Germany (now Szczecin, Poland) as Oderwerke AG, a new company focused on building small vessels. ww2dbase [Oderwerke AG | Stettin, Pommern | CPC]

11 Jun 1934

Germany

Rudolf Höss participated in a new SS members' gathering and inspection at Stettin, Germany (now Szczecin, Poland). He met with Heinrich Himmler, an old passing acquaintance, who asked him to transfer from his original task of raising horses for the SS to a new position in the concentration camps system. ww2dbase [Rudolf Höss | Stettin, Pommern | CPC]

1 Oct 1934

Germany

Albatros was made the flagship of 2nd Torpedo Boat Half-Flotilla based in Swinemünde, Germany (now Swinoujscie, Poland). ww2dbase [Albatros | Swinemünde, Pommern | CPC]

2 Apr 1936

Germany

The German aviation ministry paid 750,000 Reichsmarks to the town of Wolgast in Pommern (Pomerania), Germany for the northern peninsula of the island of Usedom. ww2dbase [Peenemünde Army Research Center | Wolgast, Pommern | CPC]

6 Sep 1938

Germany

The keel of M18 was laid down by OderWerke in Stettin, Pommern, Germany. ww2dbase [M18 | Oderwerke AG | Stettin, Pommern | CPC]

27 Aug 1939

Germany

German Air Force Captain Erich Warsitz successfully took the prototype He 178 jet aircraft into the air, thus making it the first aircraft to fly using a turbojet engine. The test flight was conducted out of Rostock-Marienehe Airfield on the Baltic Sea coast. ww2dbase [He 178 | Rostock, Pommern | CPC]

16 Sep 1939

Germany

M18 was launched by OderWerke in Stettin, Pommern, Germany. ww2dbase [M18 | Oderwerke AG | Stettin, Pommern | CPC]

10 Feb 1940

Germany

Jews from Stettin (now Szczecin, Poland) and Stralsund in Pommern, Germany were deported to ghettos in Lublin, Poland. ww2dbase [Discovery of Concentration Camps and the Holocaust | Pommern | CPC]

12 Mar 1940

Germany

Emden arrived at Swinemünde, Germany and joined Group 5 being organized for the invasion of Oslo, Norway. ww2dbase [Emden | Swinemünde, Pommern | CPC]

5 Apr 1940

Germany

Emden conducted searchlight training at Swinemünde, Germany. ww2dbase [Emden | Swinemünde, Pommern | CPC]
Blücher conducted searchlight training at Swinemünde, Germany. ww2dbase [Blücher | Swinemünde, Pommern | CPC]

6 Apr 1940

Germany

Emden embarked 600 troops at Swinemünde, Germany. ww2dbase [Emden | Swinemünde, Pommern | CPC]

8 Jun 1940

Germany

Emden arrived at Swinemünde, Germany. ww2dbase [Emden | Swinemünde, Pommern | CPC]

29 Sep 1941

Germany

After sundown, 10 bombers of British No. 102 Squadron were launched from RAF Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom for an attack on Stettin, Germany; the anti-aircraft fire was reported to be heavy. Another group of bombers took off to attack Hamburg, Germany. ww2dbase [Bombing of Hamburg, Dresden, and Other Cities | Stettin, Pommern | CPC]

30 Sep 1941

Germany

British bombers attacked Stettin and Hamburg in Germany after sundown for the second consecutive night. ww2dbase [Bombing of Hamburg, Dresden, and Other Cities | Stettin, Pommern | CPC]

2 Oct 1941

Germany

The keel of U-821 was laid down by Oderwerke in Stettin, Germany.Pommern, ww2dbase [U-821 | Oderwerke AG | Stettin, Pommern | CPC]

29 Oct 1941

Germany

The keel of U-822 was laid down by Oderwerke in Stettin, Germany. ww2dbase [U-822 | Oderwerke AG | Stettin, Pommern | CPC]

2 Dec 1941

Germany

The 508-ton German Navy minesweeper M-529 was mined off Kolberg, Germany (now Kolobrzeg, Poland) with the loss of ten crew. ww2dbase [Kolberg, Pommern | HM]

25 Feb 1942

Germany

The first A4 rocket was placed on Test Stand VII at Peenemünde, Germany. ww2dbase [Peenemünde Army Research Center | Peenemünde, Pommern | AC]

18 Mar 1942

Germany

The first A4 rocket exploded on Test Stand VII at Peenemünde, Germany during a combustion chamber test. ww2dbase [Peenemünde Army Research Center | Peenemünde, Pommern | AC]

13 Jun 1942

Germany

The first launch of an A4 rocket was achieved at Peenemünde, Germany, but after only 54 seconds the motor cut out and the missile fell into the sea less than a mile from its launch pad. ww2dbase [Peenemünde Army Research Center | Peenemünde, Pommern | AC]

16 Jun 1942

Germany

Togo arrived at Stettin, Germany (now Szczecin, Poland). ww2dbase [Togo / Coronel | Stettin, Pommern | CPC]

3 Oct 1942

Germany

The first successful A4 test flight reached the altitude of 84.5 kilometers (52.5 miles). The rocket was launched at Peenemünde, Germany. ww2dbase [V-Weapons Campaign | Vergeltungswaffe 2 | Peenemünde, Pommern | CPC]

22 Apr 1943

Germany

British Mosquito reconnaissance aircraft photographed a German rocket at Peenemünde, Germany but intelligence analysts could not be certain of the object photographed. ww2dbase [Peenemünde Army Research Center | Peenemünde, Pommern | CPC]

14 May 1943

Germany

British Mosquito reconnaissance aircraft photographed a German rocket at Peenemünde, Germany; it was estimated to be 38 feet in length and 2 feet in diameter. ww2dbase [Peenemünde Army Research Center | Peenemünde, Pommern | CPC]

26 May 1943

Germany

At Peenemünde, Germany, before Hermann Göring, Erhard Milch, and other top German leaders, an A-4 rocket and a flying bomb were tested. The A-4 rocket flew perfectly, while the flying bomb crashed only after a mile or two of flight. ww2dbase [Vergeltungswaffe 2 | Vergeltungswaffe 1 | Erhard Milch | Karl Dönitz | Hermann Göring | Peenemünde Army Research Center | V-Weapons Campaign | Peenemünde, Pommern | CPC]

4 Jun 1943

Germany

A Luxembourg national working at Peenemünde, Germany reported to the United Kingdom the presence of a 10-meter-long rocket with 150- to 250-kilometer range which was fueled by "bottles containing gas". ww2dbase [Peenemünde Army Research Center | Peenemünde, Pommern | CPC]

12 Jun 1943

Photo(s) dated 12 Jun 1943

British aerial reconnaissance photograph of V-2 rockets at Peenemünde Test Stands I and VII, Germany, 12 Jun 1943

23 Jun 1943

Photo(s) dated 23 Jun 1943

British aerial reconnaissance photo of Test Stand VII, Peenemünde, Germany, 23 Jun 1943

26 Jun 1943

Germany

U-821 was launched by Oderwerke in Stettin, Germany. ww2dbase [U-821 | Oderwerke AG | Stettin, Pommern | CPC]

28 Jun 1943

Germany

A Royal Air Force reconnaissance aircraft conclusively identified German long-range rocket launch sites on Peenemünde, Germany. ww2dbase [Peenemünde, Pommern | AC]

17 Aug 1943

Germany

British bombers launched to attack German rocket research site at Peenemünde at 2100 hours London time. At 2230 hours London time or 2330 hours Berlin time, air raid sirens went off at Peenemünde, but many ignored it, thinking it was to be yet another false warning as Allied bombers flew over the region to bomb German cities further inland. At 2317 hours London time or 0017 hours Berlin time on the next day, the first of the British bombers struck Peenemünde. ww2dbase [Peenemünde Army Research Center | Bombing of Hamburg, Dresden, and Other Cities | Peenemünde, Pommern | CPC]

18 Aug 1943

Germany

Between 0017 and 0043 hours Berlin time (2317 and 2343 hours London time, on 17 Aug 1943), three waves of British Lancaster, Halifax, and Stirling bombers (227, 113, and 180 aircraft, respectively) struck the German rocket research site at Peenemünde, dropping a total of 1,600 tons of high explosive bombs and 250 tons of incendiary bombs. Initially the damage appeared to be extensive, especially considering that 180 German scientists and engineers were killed, but the site returned to operation within four to six weeks. Strategically, however, this attack did retarded the eventual rocket attack on Britain by some months. Many buildings would remain unrepaired and craters unfilled in order to trick the British into thinking that the site was abandoned after the raid. The British Royal Air Force lost 40 bombers during this successful mission. Over 500 Polish forced laborers were also killed during this attack. ww2dbase [Bombing of Hamburg, Dresden, and Other Cities | Peenemünde Army Research Center | Peenemünde, Pommern | CPC, AC]

28 Sep 1943

Germany

The body of Brigadier General Nathan Forrest, who was killed when the B-17 bomber within which he traveled was destroyed in Jun 1943, was wash up near a seaplane base at Ruegen Island in Germany. ww2dbase [Pommern | CPC]

5 Jan 1944

Germany

358 RAF aircraft (348 Lancaster and 10 Halifax) attacked Stettin, Germany, while 28 Mosquito aircraft attacked five other cities (13 against Berlin) in diversion; 16 aircraft were lost. ww2dbase [Bombing of Hamburg, Dresden, and Other Cities | Stettin, Pommern | CPC]

20 Feb 1944

Germany

U-822 was launched by Oderwerke in Stettin, Germany. ww2dbase [U-822 | Oderwerke AG | Stettin, Pommern | CPC]

28 Feb 1944

Germany

An experimental Wasserfall radio controlled anti-aircraft rocket was launched from Griefswalder Oie, an island near Peenemünde, Germany. The missile, intended for the defence of German cities, reached a height of 23,000 feet, a third of what had been hoped for. Eventually some fifty of these rockets were made but further development was stopped, in Feb 1945, when it was found that about a third had suffered failures for one reason or another. ww2dbase [Peenemünde Army Research Center | Griefswalder Oie, Pommern | AC]

18 Jul 1944

Germany

US Eighth Air Force, including the 306th Bomb Group flying from RAF Thurleigh, attacked Peenemünde Army Research Center in Germany to counter suspected hydrogen peroxide production. ww2dbase [RAF Thurleigh | Peenemünde Army Research Center | Bombing of Hamburg, Dresden, and Other Cities | Peenemünde, Pommern | CPC]

4 Aug 1944

Germany

US Eighth Air Force attacked Peenemünde Army Research Center in Germany to counter suspected hydrogen peroxide production. ww2dbase [Peenemünde Army Research Center | Bombing of Hamburg, Dresden, and Other Cities | Peenemünde, Pommern | CPC]

25 Aug 1944

Germany

US Eighth Air Force attacked Peenemünde Army Research Center in Germany to counter suspected hydrogen peroxide production. ww2dbase [Peenemünde Army Research Center | RAF Thurleigh | Bombing of Hamburg, Dresden, and Other Cities | Peenemünde, Pommern | CPC]

30 Aug 1944

Germany

While at port at Stettin, Germany, submarine U-869 lost one crew member to British bombing when several bombs hit the barracks where the crew was bunked. ww2dbase [U-869 | Stettin, Pommern | CPC]

14 Nov 1944

Germany

Horst Wessel and Albert Leo Schlageter sailed in rough waters near Rügen, Germany. Albert Leo Schlageter struck a mine, damaging its starboard bow. Horst Wessel took Albert Leo Schlageter in a stern tow to prevent Albert Leo Schlageter from sinking. ww2dbase [Horst Wessel | Rügen, Pommern | CPC]

15 Nov 1944

Germany

Albert Leo Schlageter, which had struck a mine on the previous day near Rügen, Germany and kept afloat by a stern tow by sister ship Horst Wessel, was met by large ships which would tow her to Swinemünde, Germany for repairs. ww2dbase [Horst Wessel | Rügen, Pommern | CPC]

16 Dec 1944

Germany

German Army engineers were awarded at the Peenemünde Army Research Center in Germany. ww2dbase [Peenemünde Army Research Center | Peenemünde, Pommern | CPC]

13 Jan 1945

Germany

S-13 patrolled off the coast of Kolberg, Germany (now Kolobrzeg, Poland). ww2dbase [Alexander Marinesko | Kolberg, Pommern | CPC]

2 Feb 1945

Germany

With the Russian arrival at the outskirts of Stargard in Pommern, Germany (now in Poland), the Germans gave orders to evacuate the Stalag IID prisoners of war camp. The Allied prisoners, which include a large contingent of Canadians captured following the disastrous Dieppe Raid in August 1942, would march westward for 44 days along snow covered roads until eventually, at the end of April, their guards fled and the column having been strafed on the road by RAF fighters were finally liberated by an advance reconnaissance unit from the Royal Staffordshire Regiment. ww2dbase [East Prussian Offensive | Stargard, Pommern | AC]

9 Feb 1945

Germany

Soviet submarine S-13 attacked German passenger ship Steuben just off the coast near Stolp, Germany (now Slupsk, Poland) just before the end of the day, fatally hitting her with two torpedoes on the starboard side. ww2dbase [East Prussian Offensive | Alexander Marinesko | Pommern | CPC]

10 Feb 1945

Germany

Fierce German counter attacks near Neustettin, Germany (now Szczecinek, Poland) halted the advance of the Soviet 2nd Byelorussian Front. Nevertheless, some of the troops of the Soviet 2nd Byelorussian Front were withdrawn from the East Prussian Offensive and diverted to the fighting in Pomerania, Germany. ww2dbase [East Prussian Offensive | Neustettin, Pommern | TH]
German passenger ship Steuben, previously fatally hit by two torpedoes from S-13, sank just off the coast near Stolp, Germany (now Slupsk, Poland). She listed rapidly and sank by the bow just past the start of the day, about 20 minutes from the time of the torpedo hits. About 4,250 military and civilian passengers were killed. ww2dbase [East Prussian Offensive | Alexander Marinesko | Pommern | AC]

15 Feb 1945

Germany

German 11.SS-Armee launched Operation Sonnenwende in Pommern, Germany, although only III.SS-Panzer Korps started the attack on time. ww2dbase [East Pomeranian Offensive | Pommern | TH]

16 Feb 1945

Germany

German 39.Panzer Korps and 10.SS-Panzer Korps began their parts of Operation Sonnenwende in Pommern, Germany. ww2dbase [East Pomeranian Offensive | Pommern | TH]

18 Feb 1945

Germany

The German Operation Sonnenwende offensive in Pommern, Germany was halted by Soviet resistance. ww2dbase [East Pomeranian Offensive | Pommern | TH]

24 Feb 1945

Germany

Soviet troops attacked toward the eastern Pommern region of Germany (occupied Poland). ww2dbase [East Pomeranian Offensive | Pommern | CPC]

26 Feb 1945

Germany

Soviet 3rd Guards Tank Corps and 3rd Guards Cavalry Corps took over as the main offensive force in the eastern Pommern region of Germany (occupied Poland). ww2dbase [East Pomeranian Offensive | Pommern | CPC]

27 Feb 1945

Germany

Soviet troops captured Baldenburg (now Bialy Bór, Poland) and Neustettin (now Szczecinek, Poland) in Pommern, Germany. ww2dbase [East Pomeranian Offensive | Pommern | CPC]
Z43 escorted ocean liner SS Hamburg to Sassnitz on the Jasmund peninsula on Rügen Island, Germany. ww2dbase [East Pomeranian Offensive | Z43 | Sassnitz, Pommern | CPC]

28 Feb 1945

Germany

Soviet 2nd Byelorussian Front captured Neustettin, Germany (now Szczecinek, Poland). ww2dbase [East Prussian Offensive | Neustettin, Pommern | TH]

5 Mar 1945

Germany

Soviet 19th Army reached the Baltic coast, cutting off German 2.Armee in Pommern, Germany. ww2dbase [East Pomeranian Offensive | Pommern | TH]

7 Mar 1945

Germany

Z43 escorted heavy cruisers Admiral Scheer and Lützow from Danzig Bay to Swinemünde, Germany (now Świnoujście, Poland). ww2dbase [Z43 | Lützow | East Pomeranian Offensive | Swinemünde, Pommern | CPC]

9 Mar 1945

Germany

In eastern Pommern, Germany, Colonel General Walter Weiß was relieved of command of failing to halt the Soviet offensive. He was replaced by Dietrich von Saucken. ww2dbase [East Pomeranian Offensive | Pommern | CPC]

11 Mar 1945

Germany

Z43 began shelling Soviet positions near Kolberg, Germany (now Kołobrzeg, Poland). ww2dbase [Z43 | East Pomeranian Offensive | Kolberg, Pommern | CPC]

12 Mar 1945

Germany

German steam merchant ships Hilde (384-ton) and Adross (2,995-ton) were sunk in an air raid on Swinemünde, Germany. 570 people were killed by the fires or went down with the ships. ww2dbase [Swinemünde, Pommern | HM]

18 Mar 1945

Germany

Soviet 1st Polish Army captured Kolberg, Germany (now Kolobrzeg, Poland) while other Soviet units approached Gdynia and Danzig. ww2dbase [East Pomeranian Offensive | Kolberg, Pommern | TH]
Z43 completed the shelling Soviet positions near Kolberg, Germany (now Kołobrzeg, Poland) as German forces completed the city's evacuation. ww2dbase [Z43 | East Pomeranian Offensive | Kolberg, Pommern | CPC]

23 Mar 1945

Germany

Togo arrived at Swinemünde, Germany (now Swinoujscie, Poland). ww2dbase [East Pomeranian Offensive | Togo / Coronel | Swinemünde, Pommern | CPC]

25 Mar 1945

Germany

Togo departed Swinemünde, Germany (now Swinoujscie, Poland). ww2dbase [East Pomeranian Offensive | Togo / Coronel | Swinemünde, Pommern | CPC]

30 Mar 1945

Germany

German Armeegruppe Weichsel (Vistula) evacuated its last Oder River bridgehead from the island of Wollin, Germany. ww2dbase [Wollin, Pommern | TH]

16 Apr 1945

Germany

Eighteen British Lancaster bombers of No. 617 Squadron RAF attacked the German heavy cruiser Lützow at Swinemünde, Germany (now Swinoujscie, Poland). All but two of the aircraft were hit, although only one was lost (becoming No. 617 Squadron's last loss of the war). A near miss by a "Tallboy" 12,000-lb bomb tore a large hole in the bottom of the Lützow, crippling her. ww2dbase [Deutschland | Swinemünde, Pommern | AC]

1 May 1945

Germany

Gorch Fock was scuttled in shallow waters off Rügen, Germany. ww2dbase [Gorch Fock | Rügen, Pommern | CPC]

5 May 1945

Germany

Soviet 2nd Byelorussian Front captured Swinemünde, Pommern, Germany (now Swinoujscie, Poland) and Peenemünde Army Research Center, both located on the island of Usedom. ww2dbase [Peenemünde Army Research Center | East Pomeranian Offensive | Peenemünde, Pommern | CPC]

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis

Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

Facebook
Reddit
Twitter