Chronology of World War II

Friday, December 1, 1939

In the Winter War... Helsinki is bombed by Soviet aircraft. Casualties amount to 80 killed. Soviet attacks on the Karelian Isthmus continue.

In Occupied Finland... A Soviet sponsored Democratic Republic of Finland is established under Finnish Communist Otto Kuusinen at Terijoki on the Gulf of Finland. The Kuusinen government calls on all Finns to "overthrow the oppressor" (i.e., the government in Helsinki) and welcome the "liberators" (of the Red Army). A treaty is signed with the USSR giving the Soviets everything that has previously been demand, in exchange for the whole of Karelia.

In the Soviet Union... The TASS news agency claims that in Finland, "the people already rose in various parts of the country and proclaimed the formation of a democratic republic. Port of the soldiers of Finland's army already have sided with the new government, backed by the people."

In Helsinki... The legitimate Finnish government is reorganized. A coalition government is formed with Dr. Ryti as Prime Minister and Tanner as Foreign Minister.

Saturday, December 2, 1939

In the Winter War... There are Soviet landings with naval support near Petsamo and other units of 14th Army are attacking overland nearby. Elsewhere the slow advance of the Soviet forces continues. The Finnish defenses have not yet been reached in most areas.

In Lausanne... In Switzerland, the International Olympic Committee announces the abandonment of the Helsinki Olympic Games, planned for 1940.

In Italy... Pro-Finnish demonstrations take place in Rome.

In the Vatican... The Pope condemns Soviet aggression.

On the Western Front... A French communique reports: "A quiet day on the whole front... the air forces, on both sides, were completely inactive."

In Britain... Conscription is extended to all men between 19 and 41 years of age, with limited occupational deferments.

In the South Atlantic... The steamer Doric Star (Blue Star Line), homeward bound from New Zealand and Australia, is attacked and sunk by the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee. Meanwhile, off the coast of South Africa, the German liner Watussi is scuttled under shellfire from the battle cruiser HMS Renown.

Sunday, December 3, 1939

Over Germany... An RAF Wellington bomber accidentally drops a bomb on Heligoland. The bomber, part of 115 Squadron, suffers a "hang up" when one of its bombs fails to drop over the targeted German shipping. The bomb later falls off on the island of Heligoland, the first bomb of the war to land on German territory.

In the Winter War... The Soviet 8th Army achieves a small success near Suojarvi. The Finns pull back a little in this sector. They also send a small reinforcement to the forces opposing the advance of the Soviet 54th Division of 9th Army near Kuhmo.

In Sweden... Army reservists are called up and a minefield is laid off the east coast.

In South Africa... The Royal Navy battle cruiser Renown and aircraft carrier Ark Royal arrive in Cape Town.

Monday, December 4, 1939

In Britain... The British battleship, HMS Nelson -- the flagship of the Home Fleet -- is damaged by a magnetic mine off Loch Ewe. This is the last major success for this weapon. The Germans have been employing this and other types of mines to good effect. By the end of the year, the Allied shipping lost to mines will amount to 79 ships of 262,700 tons.

In Moscow... The Soviet government rejects a Swedish offer to mediate in the war with Finland.

On the Western Front... British King George VI arrives to inspect the British Expeditionary Force and RAF units deployed in France.

In the Winter War... Finns fortify Aaland Island in the Gulf of Bothnia. Only about 50,000 people remain in the Finnish capital of Helsinki which is being evacuated because of Soviet bombing.

Tuesday, December 5, 1939

In the Winter War... Forward units of the Soviet 7th Army reach the main Finnish defenses, the Mannerheim Line, on the Karelian Isthmus where it is garrisoned by the Finnish 2nd Corps. Marshal Mannerheim is the Finnish Commander in Chief. Already the Finns are learning to exploit poor management of the Soviet advance. They are developing tactics to master the Soviet tanks by separating them from their supporting infantry and emerging from concealed positions during the night to destroy them in close combat. Finnish Blenheim bombers raid the Soviet airbase at Murmansk.

In Moscow... The Soviet government rejects a League of Nations proposal to end the war with Finland. USSR claims that it is no longer at war, having concluded a peace with the Finnish Democratic Republic, which it claims requested intervention on December 1st.

In London... Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, tells the House of Commons that Germany has descended to "the lowest form of warfare that can be imagined." He says that the Germans first abandoned the gun for the torpedo and had now dropped that for the mine.

Wednesday, December 6, 1939

In Finland... Independence Day is celebrated. Some 50 aircraft arrive from Italy.

In Helsinki... President Kallio receives a message of sympathy from American President Roosevelt.

The Winter War... Soviet forces complete a series of landings on seven islands in the Gulf of Finland. There are heavy Soviet attacks on the Mannerheim Line defenses.

In Germany... SS forces kill the inmates of Stralsund and Chelm mental asylums.

In Berlin... A note is issued to the Foreign Press in which neutral countries, especially Holland, are condemned for a lack of resistance to the British blockade.

In the Hague... A semi-official protest of the German note is registered.

In Britain... During the night, German seaplanes and destroyers lay mines off the eastern coast. The British destroyer HMS Jersey is engaged and torpedoed by German destroyers during the operations.

Thursday, December 7, 1939

In the Winter War... In the area north of Lake Ladoga the Finnish positions at Kollaa are attacked. Farther north, Soviet troops enter Suomussalmi on the east side of Lake Kianta after it has been evacuated by the Finns.

In Moscow... The Soviet government announces a naval blockade of the Finnish southern and western coasts.

In Stockholm... Sweden declares its neutrality in the Winter War.

In Copenhagen... Denmark declares its neutrality in the Winter War.

In Oslo... Norway declares its neutrality in the Winter War.

In Paris... British King George VI has lunch with President Lebrun and the French Prime Minister, Edouard Daladier.

In the Atlantic... The German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee sinks SS Streonshalh south of Trinidad. This is the ninth and last victim. Meanwhile, a British cruiser squadron sails towards the River Plate estuary, anticipating an interception of the German warship.

Friday, December 8, 1939

In Berlin... Admiral Raeder again talks to Hitler of invading Norway. Rosenberg, the Nazi Party's political and racial expert also introduces the head of the tiny Norwegian National Unity Party to Hitler. His name is Vidkung Quisling (see January 27th, 1940).

In the Winter War... The Finnish defense brings the attacks of the Soviet 9th Army, near Kuhmo, to a halt.

In Rome... The Fascist Grand Council confirms the Axis alliance, but votes to remain out of the conflict.

In London... It is decided that Polish squadrons are to be attached to the RAF.

In Washington... The American government protests the British blockade of Germany, stating: "Whatever may be said for or against measures directed by one belligerent against another, they many not rightfully be carried to the point of enlarging the rights of a belligerent over neutral vessels and their cargoes, or otherwise penalizing neutral states or their nationals in connection with their legitimate activities."

Saturday, December 9, 1939

In the Soviet Union... The news agency TASS carries an erroneous report that Germany is sending supplies to Finland. In fact, the Germans are not sending supplies, but Italy is shipping material to Finland through Germany. Moscow-Berlin relations are strained by the report. Meanwhile, some 200 Polish Jews cross over the Bug river into Soviet occupied Poland after surviving being deported by the Nazis -- and forced marched -- from their homes in the cities of Hrubieszow and Chelm. About 1800 Jews began the trek.

In the Winter War... Near Suomussalmi, the Finns bring Soviet attacks to a halt. A brilliant night attack is also mounted on the 9th Army units near Kollaa.

In Geneva... The League of Nations begins a meeting to consider intervention in the conflict between Finland and the USSR.

On the Western Front... Corporal Thomas Priday of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry is killed leading a patrol. He is the first British soldier to be killed in the Second World War. Meanwhile, King George VI completes a 5-day visit to the British and French troops.

Sunday, December 10, 1939

In Helsinki... The government of Finland issues a general appeal for aid, stating that it has been attacked by the Soviet Union "without the slightest cause," adding that "our position as the active outpost of western civilization gives us the right to expect the active resistance of other civilized nations."

The Winter War... The Finns successful halt Soviet divisions, north of Lake Ladoga, in the battle of Kollaa begun December 7th.

In Geneva... The League of Nations continues to discuss the conflict between Finland and the USSR.

In Washington... The American government grants Finland a $10 million credit for agricultural supplies, a gesture largely due to Finland being the only country to have paid war debts from the World War I to the United States.

In Canada... The first Canadian troop convoy sails from Halifax, with 5 liners under heavy escort.

In the Gulf of Bothnia... The Soviet submarine S-1 sinks (in error) the German ship Bolheim, near Finland.

Monday, December 11, 1939

In the Winter War... The Soviet 163rd Division is cut off in Suomussalmi by the attacks of the Finnish 9th Brigade.

In Geneva... After Finland asks for concrete aid, "not merely words of encouragement," the League of Nations agrees to intervene in the conflict between Finland and the USSR. This is one of the few times that the League has attempted to take a decisive stand. The League urges the Soviet Union to cease hostilities in Finland within 24 hours and accept mediation.

In the General Government... A forced labor program is instituted for all Jews.

In Berlin... Hitler meets with Vidkun Quisling, the head of the pro-Nazi Norwegian National Unity Party.

In Britain... To IRA activists, Barnes and Richards, are sentenced to death for the murder of 5 people in Coventry on August 25, 1939 at the end of the Coventry Explosion trial.

Tuesday, December 12, 1939

In London... Churchill speaks in favor of an Allied invasion of Norway. In his speech he says that "it is humanity, and not legality, that we must look to as our judge."

In the Winter War... The Finns launch a series of attacks against the Soviet 8th Army. Finnish attacks near Kollaa meet with less success. The battles of Tovaajarviand and Kitela, both north of Lake Ladoga, begin.

In Moscow... The Soviet government rejects an appeal, made by the League of Nations, for a ceasefire with Finland and mediation of the dispute.

In Germany... After British submarine Salmon permits the 52,000 ton liner Bremen to proceed, in adherence to British Admiralty instructions to refrain from unrestricted submarine warfare, the German liner arrives in Bremerhaven from Murmansk, having mostly evaded the British blockade.

In Berlin... Hitler orders the production of sea mines and ammunition to be almost doubled.

Wednesday, December 13, 1939

In the South Atlantic... The Battle of the River Plate takes place. British Commodore Harwood has brought his squadron to the River Plate estuary hoping that the German pocket battleship Graf Spee will come hunting there. Harwood has the heavy cruiser, Exeter, and the light cruisers, Ajax and Achilles. When the Graf Spee does appear at approximately 0616, there is a fierce two-hour battle. Exeter is very badly damaged, Ajax is also heavily hit and Achilles less so. Graf Spee has received some damage as well and Langsdorff decides to break off the action. He heads for Montevideo, where under international law the warship is permitted temporary neutral sanctuary, to make quick repairs and have his wounded treated. Ajax and Achilles take station off the port.

In the North Sea... The British submarine, Salmon, torpedoes the German cruisers, Leipzig and Nurnberg. Leipzig will only return to service in 1941 but solely as a training ship. Nurnberg will be out of action until May 1940.

In London... The British House of Commons meets in secret session for the first time since 1918. According to a tense statement issued seven and a half hour of debate, the Members of Parliament discussed "the organization of supplies fro the prosecution of the war."

In the Winter War... The Finns continue a series of attacks on the Soviet 8th Army.

Thursday, December 14, 1939

In Geneva... The League of Nations, meeting in emergency debate, expels the Soviet Union after naming the USSR an aggressor in violation of treaties with Finland, the League Covenant and the Pact of Paris. The League also calls on its members to give all possible help to the Finns and agrees to coordinate international aid programs for the Finns..

In Berlin... Hitler order his Armed Forces High Command (OKW) to prepare plans for the invasion of Norway, code named Weserubung (Exercise Weber).

In the Winter War... The Finns continue a series of attacks on the Soviet 8th Army. Soviet forces launch a new drive near Petsamo.

In China... Chinese Nationalist forces occupy the town of Ningxian after a bitter clash with Chinese Communist forces.

In Mexico... The German liner Columbus (33,000 t) leaves Vera Cruz in an attempt to run home. The American cruiser Tuscaloosa shadows the ship, while on neutrality patrol, and broadcast its location on open radio.

Friday, December 15, 1939

In Argentina... In Montevideo, the German pocket battleship Graf Spee has been ordered to leave port with 72 hours. The crew is repairing damage to the warship and fuel has been taken in from a German tanker.

In the Winter War... The Finns conclude a series of attacks on the Soviet 8th Army. The 139th Division at Tolvajarvi is virtually destroyed and the 75th Division is also hard hit. The Finns also capture much valuable equipment. The Battle of Soumussalmi begins.

From Helsinki... The Finnish Foreign Minister broadcasts an offer to reopen negotiations to the Soviet Foreign Minister. He says that any design to annex Finland will be resisted to the last: "the Finns will never submit to a foreign yoke."

On the Western Front... Three British infantry brigades sent to France in October are formed into the British 5th Division, BEF. This division is deployed south of Lille along a fortified line which is being extended and strengthened. The British Expeditionary Force is only in direct contact with German forces around Metz. Prime Minister Chamberlain visits the BEF.

Saturday, December 16, 1939

In the Winter War... The main forces of Soviet 7th Army have now advanced to the Mannerheim Line and a major Soviet attack, therefore, begins. Waves of Soviet infantry and tanks, with air support, attempt to overrun the Summa area (the First Battle of Summa). These initial efforts are subsidiary moves against the northeast end of the Finnish defenses. They continue for two days without success.

In Rome... Count Galeazzo Ciano, the foreign minister in the government led by Benito Mussolini, attacks the Soviet Union in a speech to the Fascist assembly. The tone reflects that of the Italian press and radio. Since the Soviet invasion of Finland, Italy has sent volunteers to fight with the Finns and large quantities of military equipment.

In Germany... The repatriation of about 51,000 ethnic Germans (or Baltic Germans), from the Baltic state of Latvia to the "Incorporated Territories" of former Poland, is completed.

Sunday, December 17, 1939

In Argentina... Since December 13th, the British Admiralty has been sending ships speeding to Montevideo. Only the heavy cruiser, Cumberland, has arrived so far to support the HMS Ajax and HMS Achilles, already on station at the mouth of the river. Local British diplomats try to have the Graf Spee held for a few more days until stronger forces arrive and at the same time continue to give the impression that heavy units, including the battle cruiser, Renown, are already in position. Langsdorff decides to scuttle his ship outside the port with an audience of thousands lining the waterfront.

In the Winter War... The main Soviet attacks begin against the Mannerheim Line around Summa. The same pattern is repeated for the first three days. The advancing tanks penetrate into the Finnish positions during each day. The infantry are held off and the tanks mostly destroyed during the nights by the Finnish troops who then emerge from their defenses. The Finns claim that two Soviet divisions have been smashed, with 36,000 prisoners taken and a further 20,000 surrounded.

In Britain... The first Canadian troops arrive in Liverpool. A heavily protected convoy has brought over 7,500 men of the 1st Canadian Division. The force, under the command of Canadian Major-General McNaughton, arrived in 5 liners. Officers slept in suites and men in first class cabins.

On the Western Front... An increase in German reconnaissance flights is reported.

Monday, December 18, 1939

In Germany... The battle of the Heligoland Bight takes place as 50 German Me109 and Me110 fighters intercept and destroy 12 of 22 British Wellington bombers dispatched on an armed reconnaissance mission to Wilhelmshaven -- 4 fighters are destroyed. As a result, RAF Bomber Command abandons daylight raids until April 1940.

In Berlin... Hitler meets Quisling again and promises German financial support in return for any assistance rendered to the German Armed Forces High Command.

From London... Commodore Harwood -- victor of the Battle of the River Plate -- is promoted to Rear-Admiral.

In Argentina... The 1039 officers and men of the Admiral Graf Spee are interned in Buenos Aires.

In Washington... The US Navy promises to send 40 planes to Finland

In the Winter War... The main Soviet attacks against the Mannerheim Line, around Summa, continues. There is renewed Soviet bombing of Helsinki and shelling of coastal batteries.

Tuesday, December 19, 1939

In the North Atlantic... The German liner Columbus, closely trailed by the US cruiser Tuscaloosa, is scuttled some 300 miles from the American coast, to avoid capture by the approaching British destroyer HMS Hyperion. The American warship has been trailing the German liner since its departure from Vera Cruz, Mexico and has been constantly reporting the position of the Columbus by radio for any and all ships to hear. The actions taken by the USS Tuscaloosa make the official US position of neutrality highly suspect, but Berlin never protests the incident.

In Britain... Admiralty scientists led by Dr. C. F. Goodeve and Dr. E. C. Bullard develop a means for canceling the magnetic field of a ship and eliminating the threat of German magnetic mines. Known as "degaussing," the system creates a magnetic field exactly opposite to that of the ship. It involves fitting electric cable around the hull of a ship, connected to a generator.

In Paris... The fourth meeting of the Allied Supreme War Council takes place.

In Germany... The surface raider Atlantis is launched.

In the Winter War... The main Soviet attacks against the Mannerheim Line, around Summa, continues.

Wednesday, December 20, 1939

In Argentina... Langsdorff, former commander of the now scuttled German pocket battleship Graf Spee, kills himself in his hotel room. Meanwhile, British experts examine the radar equipment on board the wreck of the Graf Spee.

In the United States... The American cruiser USS Tuscalossa arrives in New York with 579 survivors from the scuttled German liner Columbus. They disembark on Ellis Island.

In the Winter War... The main Soviet attacks against the Mannerheim Line, around Summa, continues with less force. The Soviet 122nd Division is cut off by Finnish attacks while advancing toward Salla from positions near the White Sea.

In Washington... The government forbids the export of technical data for producing aviation fuel to belligerent countries.

Thursday, December 21, 1939

From Berlin... Hitler sends greetings to Stalin on his 60th birthday. The telegram reads: "To Joseph Stalin: Best wishes for your personal well-being as well as for the prosperous future of the peoples of the friendly Soviet Union. Adolf Hitler."

From Moscow... Stalin responds to the message sent by Hitler: "To the Chancellor of the German Reich, A Hitler. The friendship of the peoples of Germany and the Soviet Union, cemented by blood, has every reason to be lasting and firm."

In the Winter War... The main Soviet attacks against the Mannerheim Line, around Summa, continues with less force. Finnish forces stage a successful counterattack at Kemijarvi, driving Soviet forces back some 20 miles.

In France... The French government Yellow Book is published, dealing with prewar diplomacy.

In Britain... The Canadian 1st Division conducts its first ceremonial parade at Aldershot.

Friday, December 22, 1939

In the Winter War... The main Soviet attacks against the Mannerheim Line, around Summa, continues with less force. Meanwhile, Finnish forces catch the Soviet 44th Motorized Division as it approaches Suomussalmi to attempt the relief of the trapped Soviet 163rd Division. The Finns block the road in front and behind the Soviet force and inflict enormous casualties in the ensuing close quarter fighting.

In Bucharest... Romania signs a trade convention with Germany.

In Paris... The Chamber of Deputies votes credits of 304 billion francs for the production of armaments in 1940. Prime Minister Daladier announces the strengthening of the Maginot Line and the completion of new fortifications in northern France and the Jura Mountains.

In London... The British Ministry of Economic Warfare announces that the Allied Contraband Control has detained 870,000 tonnes of goods destined for Germany, since September 3rd.

Saturday, December 23, 1939

In Ireland... In Dublin, IRA activists steal the entire reserves of small arms ammunition of the Irish Army (some 1.1 million rounds) stored in Phoenix Park. The bulk of the ammunition is recovered during massive Army-police searches over the next 11 days.

In the Winter War... A Finnish counterattack on the Karelian Isthmus is sharply rebuffed. The Finns suffer about 1500 casualties and call off the attack at nightfall. A stalemate ensues.

From Washington... A Pan-American protest is issued to the governments of Britain, France and Germany about the fighting inside the "security zone" during the battle of the River Plate. The detention and destruction of German merchant ships by British warships is also noted.

Sunday, December 24, 1939

The Winter War... Finnish troops enter Soviet territory for the first time in the war, north of Lake Ladoga, near Lieksa, after routing Soviet troops in the Tolmojaervi and Aglajaervi districts. Other Finnish forces approach Salla.

In Occupied Poland... Soviet and German authorities allow rail links between the former eastern and western territories of Poland to be reestablished.

In the Vatican... Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace in his address to the College of Cardinals. He denounces aggression, declares the right of small countries to independence and speaks of reparation for injuries. In contempt for freedom and human life, the Pope says, there have been "acts which cry for the vengeance of God."

In the Argentina... After blazing for a week, the hulk of the German pocket battleship, Graf Spee, burns out.

Monday, December 25, 1939

On the Western Front... Within the concrete and under the turrets of the Maginot and Siegfried Lines the armies celebrate the first Christmas of the war. The frontline is reported to be quiet. Hitler begins a 3-day visit with German troops at the front, joining in the Christmas celebrations.

In the Winter War... The Soviets repeat their earlier attacks on the north end of the Mannerheim Line with little success, on a cold Christmas Day (-30°C). Helsinki, Viipuri and over 30 other Finnish towns and villages are bombed or strafed. Railway lines are also attacked. Finnish air defenses damage or destroy 20 bombers.

In Britain... King George VI broadcasts a Christmas message to the Empire: "A New Year is at hand. We cannot tell what it will bring. If it brings peace, how thankful we shall all be. If it brings us continued struggle, we shall remain undaunted.

Tuesday, December 26, 1939

In Britain... The British Royal Navy starts laying a mine barrier from the Moray Firth to the Thames Estuary. Meanwhile, the first contingent of the Royal Australian Air Force reaches port in Pembroke, Wales.

In the Winter War... Soviet forces continue attacks on the north end of the Mannerheim Line with little success. There are heavy Soviet losses of men and material. Finnish forces hold their positions on the outskirts of Salla.

In Sweden... Military reservists are called up.

Wednesday, December 27, 1939

On the Western Front... The first Indian army troops arrive to join the British Expeditionary Force in France.

In the Winter War... The Soviets end attacks on the north end of the Mannerheim Line with little success. Meanwhile, the Finns launch offensives against units of the Soviet 8th and 9th Armies and evacuate civilians from Viipuri.

In Occupied Poland... Two German army noncommissioned officers are killed by Poles in a bar in the Warsaw suburb of Wawer. The bar owner is immediately hanged and 120 Poles selected at random are shot and killed.

In Stockholm... Britain and France seek Swedish permission for the shipment of "unofficial" aid to Finland through Sweden.

In London... The American government protests the British seizure of US mail en route to Europe.

In Turkey... A powerful earthquake is estimated to have killed 8000 people, thousands more are made homeless, in bitter winter weather conditions. The regions of Tokat and the Black Sea tobacco-growing centers of Samsun and Ordu are among the worst hit.

Thursday, December 28, 1939

In Germany... Nazi authorities announce that the entire population of the Polish town of Kalisz (about 70,000 inhabitants) is to be deported to make room for ethnic Germans arriving from the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania).

In the Winter War... The Soviet 163rd Division (an element of the Soviet 9th Army), which has been holding a tenuous position around Suomussalmi, is largely broken up by persistent Finnish attacks. Help was expected to arrive from the 44th Division but this unit has been unable to move forward. The Finnish tactic in all these operations is to isolate the individual Soviet columns as they move along the forest tracks by moving around them in small units. Each column can then be harassed and wiped out in turn. The Soviets are not able to counter these tactics because their troops are not as well trained or equipped for cross-country skiing. Meanwhile, the Soviet High Command orders preparations for a coordinated, step-by-step assault on the Mannerheim Line.

In Switzerland... The exiled industrialist and former Nazi fundraiser, Fritz Thyssen, protests to Hitler: "I have not sacrificed my millions for Bolshevism but against it."

In the North Sea... The British battleship, Barham, is hit by a torpedo from U-30 while cruising off northwest Scotland. Repairs will take three months to complete.

In Britain... Meat rationing has begun.

In China... There are repeated Japanese bombing raids on Lanchow, a vital Chinese military supply base in the northwest.

Friday, December 29, 1939

In the Winter War... Finnish offensives against the Soviet 8th and 9th Armies continue. A "suicide company" of 250 Finnish ski troops tear up the vital Leningrad-Murmansk railway line at 3 points. The third Finnish attempt to drive the Soviets back from the north bank of Lake Ladoga is successful; the survivors of the Soviet 163rd Division are driven back. The Finns capture 11 tanks, 25 guns and 150 trucks; Finnish sources claim that the northern army has virtually destroyed the Red Army division of 15,000 men, near Lake Kianta. Reports claim that Soviet troops near Salla are revolting. In the Karelian Isthmus, Soviet pressure is maintained; 9 divisions are now deployed.

In Germany... Police issue a warrant for the arrest of the tycoon Fritz Thyssen, who once funded but now opposes the Nazis. He is believed to be in Portugal.

In Turkey... The estimated death toll has risen to 20,000 as earth tremors continue. An emergency relief operation is under way.

Saturday, December 30, 1939

In China... The revived Nationalist Chinese air force suffers a crushing defeat over Liuchow (Lanchow). Forty fighters challenge 13 Japanese Type-96 aircraft. In the ensuing air battle 14 of the Chinese planes are shot down without a Japanese loss.

In Hanoi... A breakaway group of Chinese Nationalists led by the former foreign minister of the Kuomintang, Wang Chingwei, signs an agreement with Japanese representatives to set up a rival Nationalist government under Japanese protection. Wang Chingwei is Tokyo-educated and was the main rival to Chiang Kai-shek for the leadership of the Kuomintang. Since the loss of Wuhan, he has become convinced that the war against Japan cannot be won.

In the Winter War... Finnish offensives against the Soviet 8th and 9th Armies continue. General Stern, formerly in command of the Soviet Far Eastern Army, is assigned to direct operations north of Lake Ladoga. Some 60 bombs are dropped by Soviet aircraft on Hango.

On the Western Front... Allied and German patrols are active between Moselle and Saar, despite intense cold.

Sunday, December 31, 1939

In the Winter War... Finnish offensives against the Soviet 8th and 9th Armies continue. The Finns claim to have pushed the Red Army back across the frontier on the Soumussalmi-Kemijarvi front. Soviet aircraft bomb Viipuri and other towns.

In Geneva... Britain and France inform the League of Nations that they will give all possible assistance to Finland.

In Germany... Hitler makes a New Year proclamation: "We shall only talk of peace when we have won the war. The Jewish-capitalistic world will not survive the twentieth century." He looks forward to the creation of a new Europe under German leadership, a Europe liberated from "British tyranny." Meanwhile, in an Order of the Day to the armed forces, Hitler notes that, in the effort to create a new order in Europe, "the hardest struggle for the existence or non-existence of the German people lies before us."

In Britain... Police New Year revelers, in London, shining torches in the blackout.

In Turkey... Floods and further earthquakes push the death toll up to 30,000.