A German armoured unit during Rommel's offensive

May 11
Politics, Canada
Full conscription is introduced following a referendum on the issue, the only significant opposition being in Quebec province.

Far East, Burma
British and Commonwealth troops fight a last, bitter battle at Kalewa before the remaining forces in Burma finally enter the border region with India and eventually reach Imphal. Japan now has control over some 80 percent of Burma.

Sea War, Mediterranean
A special German bomber force locates and sinks the British destroyers Kipling, Lively, and Jackal to the west of Alexandria, Egypt.

May 14
Espionage, United States
US codebreakers deciphering Japanese radio messages obtain their first intelligence about the impending Japanese operation to destroy the US Pacific Fleet in the central Pacific Ocean by drawing into battle around Midway.

May 15
Far East, India
British and Commonwealth forces retreating from Burma begin to arrive in India. Some 13,463 British, Indian, and Burmese troops have been killed in the Burma campaign thus far.

The 95,000-strong Chinese force has been decimated, while Japan has suffered an estimated 5000-8000 casualties to date.

May 18
Politics, Britain
Admiral Harwood assumes command of the British Mediterranean Fleet.

May 22
Politics, Mexico
The Mexican government declares war on Germany, Italy, and Japan.

May 25
Politics, Australia
Three people are arrested for conspiring to establish a fascist government to negotiate peace terms with Japan.

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