Battle of the Atlantic

• The British steamer Stanholme (2473t) sinks off Foreland Point in the Bristol Channel on a mine laid by U-33 on 9 November with the loss of 13 crewmen. 11 survivors are picked up by the Norwegian steamer Liv and taken to Barry.
• The British minesweeping trawler Loch Doon (534t) sinks 8 miles east of Blyth on a mine laid by U-22 on the 22nd. All 15 of the crew are lost.

Britain, Home Front

King George VI broadcasts a Christmas message to the Empire: 'A New Year is at hand. We cannot tell what it will bring. If it brings peace, how thankful we shall all be. If it brings us continued struggle, we shall remain undaunted'.

King George's Christmas Message

Finland - Winter War

Day 26

On the eastern Isthmus in the morning, a new Soviet division launches a third wave in the offensive at Taipale. Lake Suvanto is crossed in three places: at Sakkola, Kelja and Volosula. The assaults are repulsed everywhere except at Kelja.

Over 30 Finnish towns and villages are bombed and strafed. Among those hit are Hanko, Turku, Tampere, Porvoo, Viipuri and Ilomantsi. Finnish fighters and anti-aircraft fire shoot down 20 bombers.

Soviets Bomb More Cities

Western Front

Within the concrete and under the turrets of the Maginot and Siegfried Lines the armies celebrate the first Christmas of the war. The Front is quiet and the 'phoney war' goes on. But the Führer has prepared new plans for the coming months.