Allied Planning

In their Supreme War Council the British and French decide to intervene in Norway and send help to Finland. They plan to begin with landings at Narvik and 3 other towns on or about Mar 20. They rely on the Norwegians and Swedes acquiescing and doing nothing to maintain their neutrality. By comparison with the contemporary, typically meticulous German plans, these Allied preparations are vague, irresolute and amateurish. The pretext of going to help Finland is most unconvincing and it is the obvious intention to devote most effort to stopping the Swedish iron ore reaching Germany.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-41 attacks convoy OB-84 south of Ireland and sinks the British steamer Beaverburn (9874t) and badly damages the Dutch tanker Ceronia (8096t). The Beaverburn loses 1 of her crew with 39 survivors being rescued by the American tanker Narraganset. The escorting British destroyer Antelope is able to locate and sink u-41 with the loss of her entire crew.

Finland - Winter War

Day 68

On the Karelian Isthmus following a preliminary artillery bombardment the Soviets launch heavy assaults in the areas of Summa, Marjapellonmäki and Lake Hatjalahti supported by over 100 assault tanks. Despite overwhelming numerical superiority the attack becomes bogged down and ends in the destruction of 22 of the tanks. On the Ladoga Karelia the Finns unsuccessfully counterattack in the Pitkäranta area. In northern Finland a battalion of the Soviet Dolin ski brigade tries to get behind the Finns at Haukkajärvi, but is pushed back across the border by Detachment Kekkonen.

Finnish Foreign Minister Väinö Tanner meets with Soviet Ambassador in Stockholm, Madame Alexandra Kollontai. Tanner is told that Finland's terms for beginning the talks are unacceptable. Tanner then suggests one of the islands in the Gulf of Finland as an alternative site for a Soviet base instead of Hanko. Kollontai says the infomation will be passed along to her government for considerations.

Karelian Isthmus: following a preliminary artillery bombardment, the enemy launches heavy assaults in the morning in the areas of Summa, Marjapellonmäki and Lake Hatjalahti with the support of over one hundred assault tanks. Despite overwhelming numerical superiority the attack becomes bogged down and ends in the destruction of 22 assault tanks. Photo: SA-KUVA Soviet Attack Bogs Down

Holland

Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Gen Izaak H. Reynders resigns over the question of Dutch military preparedness.