Battle of the Atlantic

• The British government announces that all British merchant ships in the North Sea will be armed.
• The Italian steamer Giorgio Ohlsen (5694t) sinks on a mine in the Wash. This is a result of the German destroyer mine-laying operation of February 9th. 17 crewmen are lost while the British steamer Lolworth rescues 16 survivors.
• U-26 sinks the British steamer Langleford (4622t) 70 miles northwest of Fastnet with the loss of 4 crewmen.
• U-48 sinks the British steamer Sultan Star (12,306t) southwest of Ireland with the loss of 1 crewman. 72 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Whitshed half of which are later transferred to the British destroyer Vesper.
• U-53 sinks the Swedish steamer Norna (1022t) northwest of Ireland with the loss of the entire crew. The U-boat then sinks the Danish steamer Martin Goldschmidt (2095t) in the same area. 15 crewmen are lost and 5 are picked up by the Norwegian steamer Berto.
• U-57 torpedoes the British tanker Gretafield (10,191t) east of Wick losing 1 Marine. 31 survivors are rescued by the British trawlers Peggy Nutten and Strathalladale. The tanker runs aground at Dunbeath and is declared a total loss on 19 March when she breaks in two.

Finland - Winter War

Day 77

On the eastern Isthmus fierce fighting in Taipale allows the Soviets to retake the Kirvesmäki stronghold. After another massive artillery barrage which lasts 2 hours, the Russians launch attacks in Terenttilä and Kirvesmäki. The attacks are supported by both aircraft and tanks. The Finns are not able to respond effectively due to lack of sufficient available strength. There is a lull in the fighting at 5:35p.m. The Finns have been ordered to pull out of their positions in Summa in the Lähde sector. Since there is no Soviet activity at this time, the Finns are able to reorganize and regroup. The Russians have lost between 30,000 and 40,000 men in Summa. In the north the Finnish 9th Div stops their attacks on the Kuhmo 'mottis'.

Soviet bombers again attack Viipuri damaging the castle bridge and Viipuri Castle itself. Also bombed is Hamina.

Viipuri: enemy bombers damage the castle bridge and Viipuri Castle itself. Photo: SA-KUVA Soviet Bombers Target Viipuri

Germany, Policy

Following the British announcement that their merchant ships will be armed, the Germans announce that all British merchant ships in the North Sea will be considered vessels of war.

The Vatican

Rationing is introduced.