March 1
Politics, Bulgaria
Bulgaria joins the Axis powers.

Africa, Libya
Free French forces from Chad seize the Italian air base and garrison at Kufra Oasis in the southeast after a 22-day siege.

March 4
Western Front, Norway
A joint British and Norwegian commando raid and naval assault on the Lofoten Islands destroys fish-oil plants used in the production of explosives, captures 215 Germans, rescues 300 Norwegians, and sinks 10 ships.

March 5
Balkans, Greece
The first contingent of British troops sails from Egypt. By April 2 some 58,000 troops will have been sent to help defend the country.

March 9-25
Balkans, Greece
Italy launches a spring offensive between the Devoli and Vijosë Rivers in northwest Greece to counter the reverses it has suffered. Mussolini himself travels to Albania to supervise the deployment of 12 divisions for the attack. Greek intelligence and defensive preparations ensure that the poorly-planned Italian attacks from Albania are rebuffed.

March 11
Politics, United States
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease Act that allows Britain to obtain supplies without having to immediately pay for them in cash. For the remainder of 1941, however, Britain is able to pay. The bill grants the president greater powers to supply military equipment to any nation he considers important to US security.

General Erwin Rommel outlining his strategy for
winning a battle against the British in North Africa

March 24
Africa, Libya
General Erwin Rommel begins his first offensive in Libya by driving the British from El Agheila. He now begins a counteroffensive similar to the original attack by the British. While the 21st Panzer Division races across the desert toward Tobruk, Italian forces take the longer coastal route.

March 25
Politics, Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia joins the Axis powers by signing the Tripartite Pact.

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