Battle of the Atlantic
- In the North Sea German aircraft attack British merchant ships and 2 lightships between the Shetlands and Kent. The British steamer Stanburn (2981t) is sunk 10 miles southeast of Flamborough Head with the loss of 25 of her crew. 3 of the crew are rescued. One of the lightships is the E. Dudgeon with 7 of her 8 crew being killed.
- U-51 sinks the Norwegian steamer Eika (1503t) in the North Sea with the loss of 14 crewmen. 2 are rescued by the U-boat.
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]Diplomatic Relations
With little progress in the Winter War, the Soviet Government sends a note via Sweden stating that the 'USSR has no objection in principle to concluding an agreement' with the Finnish Government. This indicates that Moscow is prepared to drop the Kuusinen government idea. However, the Soviets still want Hanko, which Helsinki will not relinquish. In addition, the excellent performance of the Finnish Army in the war thus far, plus the offer, albeit vague, of French and British help, has emboldened the Finns to hold out for better terms.
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Finland - Winter War
Day 61
In northern Finland at 5:00a.m. Col Siilasvuo's 9th Div launches a counter-offensive to destroy the Russian 54th Div at Kuhmo. On the central Isthmus in Summa the Russians launch a probing assault after a heavy artillery bombardment in the Hanhiojansuu sector. The Finnish defense repels the assault. On the eastern Isthmus in Taipale, the Russians break through in the Terenttilä area. Heavy fighting is still going on. On the Ladoga Karelia the Finns continue their attacks on the West Lemetti 'motti'.
In the air 6 Blenheims from 10 Squadron attack enemy transports at the mouth of the Taipaleenjoki River. On the Karelian Isthmus Finnish fighters shoot down 2 Russian fire control planes. The Finns capture an intact Russian DB-3 bomber when it is forced to land on Lake Iso Roinevesi near Hauho. On the Ladoga Karelia the Soviets bomb Mantsi Fort. In an air raid on Turku 36 people are killed when the city is caught by surprise.
In diplomatic exchanges made via Sweden it emerges that the Soviets are prepared to negotiate with the legitimate Finnish government and, implicitly, to abandon support for the puppet communist regime of Otto Wille Kuusinen.
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