May 1939

May

• 09

  • Spain leaves the League of NationsOn 8 May 1939 Franco’s government decided to leave the League of Nations; Geneva recorded the notice on 9 May. Spain followed Germany, Italy and Japan.
• 11

  • The Battle of Khalkhin Gol beginsOn 11 May 1939 near Nomonhan, on the disputed Mongolia–Manchukuo border, Mongolian and Manchukuo horsemen clashed. So began the Soviet–Japanese battle.
• 17

  • The Scandinavian countries reject pacts with GermanyIn mid-May 1939 Sweden, Norway and Finland declined non-aggression pacts with the Reich, citing their neutrality. Only Denmark agreed.
• 22

  • The Pact of SteelOn 22 May 1939 in Berlin Ciano and Ribbentrop signed the alliance of Italy and Germany. Even its public text bound each to armed assistance in any war.
• 31

  • The German–Danish non-aggression pactOn 31 May 1939 in Berlin, Ribbentrop and the Danish envoy Herluf Zahle signed a ten-year non-aggression pact. Within a year the Wehrmacht occupied Denmark.