Baltic Sea

The Lithuanian steamer Kretinga (542t) is seized by German warships as a prize. She is placed in German service under the name Memelland.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-31 sinks the Danish steamer Ove Toft (2135t) with the loss of 6 crewmen. 15 survivors are picked up. A little later U-31 sinks the Norwegian steamer Gimle with the loss of 3 of her crew. 16 survivors are picked up by the Norwegian steamer Rudolf.

Finland - Winter War

Day 4

Near Petsamo the Russians again attack the mine area but are again beaten back. Finnish losses here are 13 dead and 38 wounded. On the Karelian Isthmus Rautu, Valkjärvi and Uusikirkko all fall to the Russians. The outer islands are shelled by Soviet naval detachments. The Soviets occupy Iso Tytärsaari Island. General Headquarters moves from Helsinki to Mikkeli.

The government annouces that the waters around Åland have been mined to protect the islands. Evacuation by civilians for the safety of the interior is begun from cities like Helsinki, Viipuri, Turku and Kotka among others.

The covering force withdraws towards the main defensive position. Photo: SA-KUVA Covering Force Withdraws

German Raiders

The Graf Spee sinks the freighter Tairoa but, again, a 'May Day' signal helps Harwood to plot the enemy ship's probable arrival time off the coast of South America.

The Admiral Graf Spee, with three 11" (288mm) guns trained on the Tairoa during her capture. The three gun barrels of turret Anton can not be seen, the two barrels that are seen are false guns added to the ship to confuse enemy warships. The motor launch from the Admiral Graf Spee is alongside the Tairoa and the ship has already been boarded. British Steamer Tairoa