The List of Battles in 1939

The world fell into the Second World War in 1939. Major battles were fought in Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Atlantic Ocean in 1939. 

Battle of Nanchang (March 17 – May 9, 1939) – Japanese forces defeat Nationalist Chinese forces in the 2nd Sino-Japanese War

Battle of Suixian-Zaoyang (May 24, 1939) – Chinese counterattack successful against the Japanese.

Battle of Khalkhin Gol (May 1, 1939 – September 16,1939)–Soviet forces defeat the Japanese.

German Invasion of Poland (September 1, 1939-October 6, 1939) – Start of World War II in Europe, German victory.
Battle of the Bzura River/Battle of Kutno (September 9– September 19, 1939)–Part of the German Invasion of Poland

Battle of Hel (September 9 – October 2, 1939)–Part of the German Invasion of Poland

Battle of Tomaszów Lubelski (September 17– September 26, 1939)–Part of the German Invasion of Poland

Battle of Warsaw (September 8– September 28, 1939)–Part of the German Invasion of Poland

First Battle of Changsha (September 17 –October 6, 1939) Chinese forces successfully defend the city of Changsha, inflicting heavy Japanese casualties.

Battle of Kock (October 2–October 5, 1939)–Final battle of the German Invasion of Poland

Battle of Tolvajärvi (December 12, 1939) – Colonel Paavo Talvela’s Finnish forces defeat Soviet Union forces. Part of the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union.

Battle of Suomussalmi (December 8, 1939 – January 7, 1940). Finnish forces beat back invading Soviet troops. Part of the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union.

Battle of the River Plate (December 13, 1939) – British ships battled the German ship, the Admiral Graf Spee in the harbor of Montevideo, Uruguay. The Germans later scuttled their ship. This was the was the first major naval battle of World War Two.

First Battle of Summa (December 16 – December 22, 1939) – Soviet victory during the Winter War.

Sources of 1939 Battles:

1. Kohn, George C. Dictionary of Wars. New York: Facts On File Publications. 1999.

2. Dupuy, R. Ernest and Trevor N. Dupey. The Harper Encyclopedia of Military History: From 3500 B.C. to the Present New York, New York: Harper & Row. 1993.