Battle of the Atlantic

• The British steamer King Egbert (4535t) sinks on a mine 4 miles southwest of Haisborough off Cromer. This minefield was laid by German destroyer the night of the 6th. 1 of the crew is lost; 32 survivors are rescued.
• During the night the German destroyers Hermann Künne, Friedrich Ihn, Erich Steinbrinck, Richard Beitzen and Bruno Heinemann lay a minefield off the Tyne near Newcastle. 11 Allied merchant ships grossing 18,979 tons will be sunk in the field.
• The British steamer Marwick Head (496t) sinks on a mine half a mile south of North Caister Buoy with the loss of 5 crewmen. The mine was laid by U-59 on the 5th.
• The Swedish steamer Toro (1467t) sinks on a mine 35 miles south of Copenhagen.

Britain, Home Front

Churchill speaks in favor of a landing in Norway. In his speech he says that 'it is humanity, and not legality, that we must look to as our judge'.

Finland - Winter War

Day 13

In the central section of the Isthmus Soviet troops launch reconnaissance probes at Summa. On the Ladoga Karelia 2 offensives are begun by the Finns against the Soviet 8th Army; one by Group Talvela's Detachment Pajari at Tolvajärvi and the other by troops of the IV Corps on the Lemetti road. In the Battle of Tolvajärvi the 139th Div is virtually destroyed there and the 75th Div is also hard hit. The Finns capture much invaluable equipment. 4,000 Russians are killed; 30 guns and 60 tanks are captured. Finnish attacks near Kollaa meet with less success. Detachment A's advance from Oinaansalmi to take Möhkö 4 km to the east fails to get very far due to command problems.

The Battle of Kitela. The Finns halt the Russian 18th and 168th Divs on the north shore of Lake Ladoga. The 18th Div is surrounded Jan 5 and the 168th on Jan 11.

Finnish mine laying operations begin in front of Suursaari harbor carried out by the motor torpedo boats Raju and Isku.

Authorization is received for Finland to buy 43 Brewster fighters from the U.S. France sends Finland 5,000 1915-model machine-guns; Britain contributes a number of Brandt mortars and light machine guns made in 1924 with some aircraft.

The League of Nations calls on the two warring nations to cease hostilities and begin peace negotiations.

Central Isthmus: Soviet troops launch reconnaissance probes at Summa in the central section of the Isthmus. Photo: SA-KUVA Reconnaissance Probes at Summa

United States, Home Front

300 Finnish-American volunteers leave New York harbor heading for Finland. Altogether some 11,500 volunteers from other nations entered the war, but the net effect was too little, too late. Shipping Out for Finland