Chronology of World War II

December 1939

Sunday, December 10th


Baltic Sea

In error, the Russian submarine S-1 sinks the German steamship Bolheim in the Gulf of Bothnia.

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Battle of the Atlantic

  • The British auxiliary minesweeper Ray Of Hope (98t) hits a mine and sinks off Ramsgate. This is the result of the German destroyer minelaying operation in the Thames Estuary the night of November 17th. 9 of the crew are lost.
  • The British steamer Willowpool (4815t) from convoy FS-43 sinks on a mine 3 miles east of the Newarp Light Vessel. The mine was laid by U-20 on the November 22nd. The 36 survivors are rescued by lifeboat.
  • The Dutch steamer Immingham strikes a mine off the Dutch coast near Kallautsoog and sinks the next day. Her crew of 7 are rescued.
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Finland - Winter War

Day 11

On the Ladoga Karelia Finnish troops fight back a Russian battalion which had outflanked the defensive position at Tolvajärvi. On the Kollaanjoki River a series of offensives is begun by the Russians. At Koukkuniemi the Finnish artillery open fire against Russian artillery and infantry positions. The Russian offensive formations retreat after about a half-hour bombartment.

Deeming the situation on the front critical, General Headquarters issues orders to establish the first guerrilla battalions.

The Finnish artillery carries out counter-preparation fire against enemy artillery and infantry positions at Koukkuniemi.
Photo: SA-KUVA

Finnish Artillery


Finnish Artillery
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[ Dec 9th - Dec 11th]