Britain, Politics
There is a ministerial reshuffle. Oliver Stanley replaces Leslie Hore-Belisha at the War Office (that is, the Army Ministry). Sir John Reith becomes Minister for Information replacing Lord Macmillan and Sir Andrew Duncan comes to the Board of Trade.
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Diplomatic Relations
Russia signs a commercial treaty with Bulgaria, a step in a policy toward Balkan penetration.
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| ]Finland - Winter War
Day 37
In northern Finland the Finnish 9th Div attack the Russian 44th 'Blue' Div on the Raate road. The assault begins at 8:30. The Russians are hard pressed but they are not broken. With the temperature still bitterly cold, most of the Finns have to spend the night in the open air. Replacement troops arrive at the main defensive position at Summa on the central Isthmus. Russian infantry attacks are successfully repulsed at Summa, Suokanta, Työppölänjoki and Lake Hatjalahti. The Russian 18th Div is encircled north of Lake Ladoga (18,000 Russians are killed or captured by Feb 19). The first contingent of Swedish volunteer troops reaches Finland.
In the Gulf of Bothnia at 13:00 the Soviet submarine STS-311 sinks the Swedish steamer Ferris off the Swedish coast near Umeä.
The headquarters town of Mikkeli is heavily bombed by the Soviets. Because of the severe cold temperature the phone lines are down and the anti-aircraft guns are frozen. 40 planes take part in the attack which kills 29 people and injures 36.
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