Britain stands alone

   
With the surrender of France at the end of June 1940, Britain stood alone, together with her Empire, against a super confident Germany and Italy, now Hitler's ally. At home Britain now faced the threat of a Cross-Channel invasion, while Mussolini's entry into the war meant that Britain's position in the Mediterranean and the Middle East was in jeopardy.

On the 26 June 1940 Turkey announced that she would stay out of the war.

On 27 June 1940 All French ships in British ports were seized by the Royal Navy.

On 28 June 1940 The Pope offered to mediate. He sent messages to Churchill, Hitler and Mussolini offering to mediate for peace, the King of Sweden made a similar offer.

On the same date The Soviets demanded that Roumania cede the provinces of Besssarabia and northern Bucovina, the Germans anxious not to damage relations with the USSR, which might effect their pact of friendship and non-aggression with them.

On 30 June 1940 Germany occupied the British Channel Islands, the UK had demilitarised the islands a few days earlier. They were to remain in German hands for the rest of the war, and be the site of the only concentration camp on British soil in Alderney.

On 3 July 1940 The Royal Navy bombarded the French fleet at Oran and Mers-el-Kebir, much of the fleet was damaged or destroyed, this attack took place because of British concern that the French fleet would fall into German hands.

On 5 July 1940 Vichy France broke off diplomatic relations with Britain, because of the naval incident. In retaliation Vichy French aircraft raided Gibralter from North Africa, but caused little damage.

On 20 July 1940 President Roosevelt signed the Two-Ocean Navy Expansion Act. this was Roosevelt's first very limited step to prepare his country for war, although at this time only 8% of Americans declared themselves willing to enter the war.

On 27 July 1940 Germany, Italy and Japan signed a tripartite pact in Berlin, this oblidged them to give military assistance to one another, should they be attacked by a country not already at war. Furthermore Japan recognised the Axis [Germany and Italy] right to establish a new order in Europe in return for recognition of Japan's right to impose her new order in Asia.