Chronology of World War II

December 1939

Wednesday, December 6th


Battle of the Atlantic

  • The Greek steamer Paralos hits a mine and sinks 2 miles ENE of Tongue Light Vessel. This is the result of the German destroyer minelaying operation in the Thames Estuary the night of the November 12th. 3 crewmen are killed and 22 are rescued by the British steamer Roek.
  • The British minesweeping trawler Washington (209t) is sunk off Caister near Great Yarmouth on a mine laid by U-59 on the 5th. 7 of the crew are lost with only 1 survivor.
  • U-31 sinks the Swedish steamer Vinga (1974t) in the North Sea. All of her crew are rescued by the by the Danish steamer Transporter. U-31 also sinks the Norwegian steamer Foina (1674t) in the same area northwest of Rattray Head. All 18 of the crew are lost.
  • U-47 sinks the Norwegian tanker Britta (6214t) 45 miles southwest of Longships Light with the loss of 6 of her crew. 25 survivors are picked up the the Belgian trawler Memlinc.
  • During the night the German destroyers Erich Giese, Bernd von Arnim and Hans Lody are involved in minelaying off Cromer. During the operation the British destroyer Jersey is torpedoed and badly damaged by the Erich Giese. 10 of the crew are killed and 12 injured in the explosion.
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Finland - Winter War

Day 7

All of the covering force in now in the main defensive position on the Isthmus as the remaining troops pull back to the north of Vuoksi. On the eastern Isthmus a Soviet division launches an attack across the Taipaleenjoki River. A Russian battalion crosses the river at Koukkuniemi just before dark. On the Ladoga Karelia Group Talvela is formed to cover the Tolvajärvi-Ägläjärvi sector.

Fighting at Taipale


Fighting at Taipale
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[ Dec 5th - Dec 7th]