[Dr. Sivana]

But was it really a “World War” before 1941? There was a regional war in Europe, and the even longer running Sino-Japanese war.

Legitimate question. Certainly it developed into a World War, and it was a continuation of the same war. I think convention regards the war in Europe in 1939 as being part of World War II. The fact that Japan is thrown into the mix as part of the Axis lends credence to it being more than a regional war even then. Its shadow was already world wide.

[PAR35]

One can have a good game with “When did World War II begin”. Japan - China, France - Thailand, Spanish Civil War, Russo - Finnish War, Russia - Japan....

Sort of like the old posting exchange from a few years ago - “When was the first US Soldier/Sailor/Marine killed during World War II”