Answer:

World War II began in Europe on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland.

Verified answer

During World War II, Germany gained control over several countries in Europe. Some of the significant ones include:

1. **Austria:** In March 1938, Germany annexed Austria in an event known as the Anschluss.

2. **Czechoslovakia:** In 1938, through the Munich Agreement, Germany gained control over the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant ethnic German population. In March 1939, Germany occupied the remaining parts of Czechoslovakia, effectively dismantling the country.

3. **Poland:** The invasion of Poland in September 1939 marked the beginning of World War II. Germany and the Soviet Union jointly invaded Poland, leading to its division between the two powers.

4. **Norway and Denmark:** In April 1940, Germany invaded and occupied Norway and Denmark as part of its expansion in Northern Europe.

5. **France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg:** In May 1940, Germany launched an invasion of Western Europe, quickly defeating and occupying these countries. This led to the famous evacuation of British and Allied troops from Dunkirk.

6. **Greece and Yugoslavia:** In April 1941, Germany invaded and occupied Greece and Yugoslavia.

These are some of the countries initially gained by Germany during the early stages of World War II. Germany's aggressive expansion during the war had significant consequences for the course of the conflict and the countries involved.