Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, June 27 – July 3, 1940

June 27, 1940: US President Franklin D. Roosevelt invokes 1917 Espionage Act in order to monitor ship movements near Panama Canal

June 28, 1940: As French General Charles de Gaulle vows to continue fight against Germany, it is unclear if he will be followed by French troops in Indochina

June 29, 1940: Fears growing in Hong Kong that Japanese invasion is imminent

June 30, 1940: US and Britain should reach understanding with Japan, allowing them to focus on challenge from Germany in the Atlantic, says retired US Rear Admiral Yates Stirling

July 1, 1940: Headquarters Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force is established at the Marine Corps Base, San Diego

July 2, 1940: US Congress passes Export Control Act, authorizing president to ban export of basic war materials; the move is mainly targeted at Japan’s rising power in the Asia Pacific

July 3, 1940: Japanese Army completely seals off Hongkong from any connection to south China by land in bid to force British authorities to cease supplies to Chiang Kai-shek’s forces

Categories: War

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