Battle of the Atlantic

• The British steamer Cedrington Court (5160t) sinks on a mine 2 miles northeast of the North Goodwins Light Vessel. This is a result of the German minelaying operation the night of the 6th. All of the crew are rescued.
• The British steamer Towneley (2888t) sinks on a mine 1 mile ENE of the North East Spit Buoy. This is a result of the German minelaying operation the night of the 6th. All the crew are saved by rowing in a lifeboat to Margate.

Finland -Winter War

Day 39

In northern Finland the fighting on the Raate road dies down during the morning signifying the end of the battle. Equipment captured by the Finns in this area includes 43 tanks, 71 field and anti-aircraft guns, 29 anti-tank guns, a number of armored cars and tractors, 260 trucks, 1,170 horses and an assortment of other material like medical supplies and communications equipment. The Russian 44th Div loses 17,500 men or about 70% of the division's strength. The Finns lose 900 dead and 1,200 wounded or about 15% of the 9th Div's combat strength.

Marshal Kliment Voroshilov now commands the Soviet forces in Finland while Gen Semyon K. Timoshenko takes over the troops on the Karelian Isthmus. They are now organized in 2 armies, the 7th and the 13th. The Finns are in the process of a reorganization also. During Jan they will be able to form, but only partially equip, 2 new divisions. Additional defenses are being constructed behind the Mannerheim Line.

Timoshenko immediately institutes a program of training for his forces emphasizing cooperation between all arms. New equipment is also arriving for the Soviet forces. Their already dominant artillery is being strengthened and among the new tanks are some of the latest KV types. Intensive patrolling to investigate the Finnish lines is also begun.

In the fighting north of Lake Ladoga the Finnish pressure on the Soviet 18th and 168th Divs continues but their defensive positions known as 'mottis' to the Finns are strong. The Finns will have to keep forces committed against these 'mottis' until the end of the war.

400,000 Finnish civilians have now been evacuated from battle areas and large towns.

The booty taken on the Raate road includes 43 tanks, 71 field and anti-aircraft guns, 29 anti-tank guns, a number of armoured cars and tractors, 260 lorries, 1,170 horses, and an assortment of infantry weaponry, ammunition, and medical and communications material. Photo: SA-KUVA Captured Equipment

North Sea

The British submarine Seahorse is sunk by German minesweepers in the Heligoland Bight. All 39 of her crew are lost.

Soviet Union, Command

Stalin, exasperated over the lack of progress in the Winter War, replaces Meretskov with Gen Semyon Timoshenko, who becomes commander of the Northwest Front and instigates a large build-up of forces in Karelia. Other Soviet leaders have paid with their lives for failure in battle. The commander of the 44th Div, Vinogradov, plus all his staff, have been executed for their failure at the Battle of Suomussalimi.

During January, the Red Army trained for new offensives, coordinating tanks, infantry and artillery to take Finnish positions. Mass attacks would henceforth not be used. Instead, large-scale artillery barrages would destroy enemy strongpoints before attacks took place.