On this day in 1945, Turkey declared war on Germany during the Second World War, officially bringing Turkey into the conflict. The history between Germany and Turkey dates back to the Ottoman Empire, which culminated in the formation of many strong bonds that included economic, military, social and cultural relations. With the possible accession of Turkey to the European Union, of which Germany is the biggest member, these relations became more intense and developed over the decades.
During the Second World War, Turkey retained diplomatic relations with Germany until August 1944. The non-aggression pact was signed on 18 June 1941 and in October, the Clodius Agreement was reached, whereby Turkey would export up to 45,000 tons of chromite ore to Germany in 1941-1942, and 90,000 tons of the mineral in each of 1943 and 1944, dependent on Germany’s supplies of military equipment to Turkey.
However, in August 1944, the Soviet Army entered Bulgaria and cut overland contact between Turkey and the Axis Powers. Turkey immediately severed its diplomatic and commercial relations with Germany, and on February 25, 1945, declared war.