1939, September 4- RAF (Royal Air Force, Britain) initiates combat against Germany. The attack is on the Admiral Scheer. No attacks against industrial targets in Germany are made because industry is private property.
1939, September 5- The US proclaims itself neutral
1939, September 6- South Africa declares war on Germany
1939, September 7- French patrols cross the boarder in probing skirmishes. A large offensive is planned for September 17 but is cancelled after Poland's imminent collapse makes the defense of Poland seemingly pointless
1939, September 10- The first major units of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) begin to arrive in France. In the first month 160,000 men arrive.
Canada declares war on Germany
1939, September 16- Warsaw is surrounded but the Poles refuse surrender.
1939, September 17- Soviet troops enter Poland. Against the Soviets' two army groups the Poles have only 18 battalions
1939, September 27- Poland surrenders
1939, October 9- In a major speech Hitler claims that he desires only peace with France and England. Both France and England reject the offer.
1939, October 19- Germany establishes the first Jewish Ghetto in Lublin, Poland
1939, October-November- Relations between Finland and the Soviet Union deteriorate.
1939, November 4- The US modifies its neutrality, allowing itself to ship arms to the Allies.
1939, November 30- War breaks out between Soviets and Finland. The Finnish army has Nine divisions and nearly no tanks while the Soviets begin the assault with 26 divisions, independant tank divisions, and three times the artillery of the Finns.
1939, December- The Finnish army devises a tactic where they seperate the Soviet tanks from their supporting infantry, then destroying the tanks in the night. The Finns remain extremely mobile, avoiding being overwhelmed by the ponderous Soviet army groups. In battle after battle the Finns capture and defeat Soviet divisions.