Diplomatic Relations

Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace.

Finland - Winter War

Day 25

On the Ladoga Karelia at Tolvajärvi, the Russians are pushed back across the Aittojoki River. This sector remains stabilized for the remainder of the war. The Russians launch another offensive at Kollaa. In the northern Karelia the Soviets are pushed back across the border in the Inari-Lieksa sector. In northern Finland Group Ilomäki advances from Jyrkänkoski to strike at the Rasti crossroads in Kuhmo. The advance is thwarted and the Finns return to their original positions suffering 53 casualties. In Suomussalmi the Soviets launch fierce counterattacks at Hulkonniemi and along the Raate road.

In the Gulf of Finland the Russian battleship Marat shells Koivisto Fortress. The Finns mine the Soviet naval bases in the Baltic States.

President Kallio

Occupied Poland

A Synagogue Going up in Flames in Siedlce, Poland