September 1
Eastern Front, Baltic
German forces near Leningrad are now within artillery range of the city. Soon, the city's rail and road approaches are cut off and a bitter siege commences that lasts until early 1944. Leningrad is a key industrial center and is used by the Soviet Baltic Fleet, which potentially threatens vital Swedish iron ore shipments to Germany.

September 3
Final Solution, Poland
Experiments using Zyclon-B gas chambers to slaughter Jews and others deemed 'undesirable' by the Nazis are carried out in Auschwitz concentration camp, Poland. The experiments are a success, and will lead to the widespread use of the gas.

September 4
Sea War, Atlantic
A U-boat mistakes the US destroyer Greer for a British vessel and attacks it. This is presented as an act of aggression and US warships are ordered to 'shoot on sight' in waters integral to national defense.

September 6
Final Solution, Germany
Restrictions on Jews are reinforced with an order requiring them to wear a Star of David badge. Their freedom of movement is also restricted.

September 15
Eastern Front, Ukraine
Guderian's 2nd Panzer Group links up with Army Group South at Lokhvitsa, 100 miles (160 km) east of Kiev, trapping four Soviet armies. This seals the fate of the Soviet Southwest Front and its 500,000 men.

September 17-19
Eastern Front, Ukraine
Soviet forces begin a fighting withdrawal from Kiev, having been delayed in abandoning the city by Joseph Stalin's insistence on holding it. This delay enables the Germans to cut off their escape routes. The Germans seize Kiev on the 19th, killing or capturing 665,000 men after 40 days of bloody combat. This seals the fate of the western Ukraine.

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