Battle of the Atlantic

• U-14 sinks the Norwegian steamer Biarritz (1752t) with the loss of 25 crewmen. Survivors are picked up by the Norwegian steamer Borgholm 36 miles northwest of Ijmuiden.
• U-19 sinks the Latvian steamer Everene (4434t) and the Norwegian steamer Gudvieg (1300t) about 5 miles off Longstone Light. 1 crewman is lost from the Everene and 10 from the Gudvieg. Survivors are picked up by British fishing vessels Dole and Evesham.
• U-44 sinks the French steamer Tourny (2769t), a straggler from convoy 56-KS, west of Cape Mondego with the loss of 8 crewmen. Survivors are picked up by the Spanish steamer Castillo Monforte.

Canada, Politics

Parliament is dissolved for an election on March 28 because of recent controversy over the alleged weakness of war preparations.

Finland - Winter War

Day 57

On the central Isthmus a Soviet detachment makes another attempt to take the island of Suursari in Lake Muolaanjärvi. On the Ladoga Karelia the Russians continue to press the Finns northeast of Lake Ladoga. On the eastern Isthmus the Finnish troops repulse a Soviet assault in the morning. On the Ladoga Karelia, because of the situation in the area, the C-in-C changes Group Talvela's mission in the Tolvajärvi sector to adopt delaying tactics if necessary.

The voluntary defence organization Maan Turva is collecting musical instruments, games and books to entertain the patients in the military hospitals. Photo: SA-KUVA Maan Turva At Work

Occupied Poland

The 'Göring - Frank Circular' is created. This top secret document states all material resources and manpower is to be ruthlessly exploited for the immediate benefit of the Reich. Copies of this document are obtained by the Polish Government in Paris and widely publicized.

The Germans decide to construct a concentration camp near Oświęcim. The German name is Auschwitz.

Construction of Auschwitz