Battle of the Atlantic

Allied shipping losses amount to 226,900 tons, of which submarines sink 45 ships of 169,500 tons. Again, about half of the U-boat successes are in the North Sea. (Allied Ships Lost to U-boats)

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-13 sinks the Swedish steamer Fram (2491t) off Rosehearty Buoy in Aberdour Bay with the loss of 6 crewmen. 13 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Khartoum and the British armed patrol trawler Viking Deeps.
• U-59 sinks the British steamer Ellen M. (498t) in the North Sea.

Finland - Winter War

Day 64

Second Battle of Summa begins. At 10:50a.m. The Russian artillery begins shelling the main defensive positions of the Finnish 3rd Div. The Russian 7th Army batters a key sector of the Mannerheim Line near the village of Summa. Shortly after noon the Soviets begin their massive assault. The Russians throw in waves of tanks pulling armored infantry sledges ('Molotov Coffins') and flamethrowers supported by 'creeping' artillery barrages and hundreds of aircraft. The Soviet 7th and 13th Armies have 14 divisions and 6 tank brigades in the advance, with strong reserves. The Finnish 3rd Div, holding the Summa sector, takes much of the weight. During these days there is no attempt at a breakthrough but almost continuous heavy pressure is maintained.

Russian aircraft strafe the area around the Pyhäjärvi railway station. The Taipale sector is hit by 2 bombing attacks, one of 50 aircraft and another of 80. At the same time Haparainen village is bombed by 30 aircraft. Also hit this day are Hamina, Loviisa, Porvoo, Hanko, Karjaa and Tammisaari.

Taipale Sector Heavily Bombed

The Red Army begins its offensive in Karelia. The Soviet 13th Army (9 infantry divisions, a tank brigade and 2 tank battalions) attacks between Taipale and Lake Muolaanjarvi, while the 7th Army (12 infantry divisions, 5 tank brigades and 2 tank battalions) assaults the Summa sector. In all, some 600,000 men are committed to the attack. The Finns have 6 divisions in line and a further 3 in reserve. Finnish positions are pounded by 300,000 artillery shells on the first day, with Soviet artillery mustering 440 guns in the Summa sector alone. The Soviets also deploy close air support all along the front. The Red Army attacks for 3 days non-stop, pauses for a day, then resumes the offensive for a further 3 days. Finnish forces are gradually worn down by the onslaught.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-59 sinks the British steamers Creofield (838t) and Portelet (1064t) about 4 miles southwest of Smith's Knoll. Portelet loses 2 crewmen with 11 being rescued, 9 by the Finnish steamer Oscar Midling.
• The British tanker British Councillor (7048t) hits on a mine laid by U-26 off Withernsea. 43 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Whitley. The tanker sinks on the 3rd.

Diplomatic Relations

The Balkan Entente Conference is held at Belgrade. Neutrals Yugoslavia, Greece, Rumania and Turkey proclaim common interests in maintenance of peace in southeast Europe and renew their pact.

Finland - Winter War

Day 65

On the Karelian Isthmus the Soviets continue their assault on the defensive positions of the Finnish 3rd Div. In northern Finland near Kuhmo the surrounded Soviet 54th Div attempts to break out by attacking in a number of different areas. Another Soviet division is brought up to support these attacks.

On the Ladoga Karelia the Soviets send 92 aircraft in 5 waves to attack Sortavala. 15 people are killed and 44 injured. Soviet bombers also hit Pori killing 21 people.

The Finnish Government presents its opening position for peace talks in response to the terms of negotiation presented by the Soviet Union. This response is delivered to the Soviet Union via the Swedish Foreign Ministry.

Air Operations, Europe

• 20 Heinkels attack ships off the British east coast sinking 2. 3 aircraft are lost.
• A Heinkel He-111 is the first Luftwaffe plane shot down over England at Whitby.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-58 sinks the Estonian steamer Reet (815t) in the North Sea with the loss of the entire crew.
• The Norwegian steamer Tempo (629t) is bombed and sunk by He-111s of KG-26 off Longstone Light with the loss of 5 crewmen. Survivors are rescued by the British tug Barham.
• U-25 sinks the British steamer Armanistan (6805t) from convoy OG-16 west of the mouth of the Tagus River. The entire crew is picked up by the Spanish steamer Monte Abril.

Finland - Winter War

Day 66

On the central Isthmus the Finns successfully repulse the Soviet attacks on the Mannerheim Line at Summa, Suokanta and Oinaala. The Russian 7th and 13th Armies are ordered to begin the work of breaking down the Finnish defenses on the Isthmus. On the Ladoga Karelia detachments of Soviet troops which had advanced from the south on skis are surrounded in a 'motti' at Lavajärvi. Battalion Mankonen completes the destruction of a Russian ski battalion at Löytöjärvi. In 3 days the Russian death total reaches 400. The Soviets begin attacks on Viipuri, Finland's second city.

Soviet aircraft bomb a number of places across the country. In Kuopio 34 are killed and 38 injured in one raid. Viipuri is hit hard by Russian bombers. On the eastern Isthmus a Russian fire control plane is in the air all day over Taipale directing the artillery fire.

Air Operations, Europe

The Russians attack 141 targets (towns, rail junctions, harbors) over the weekend February 3-4, dropping approximately 6800 bombs. Finnish casualties are 193 including 14 killed.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-21 sinks the Yugoslav steamer Vid (3547t) in the North Sea with the loss of the entire crew.
• U-37 sinks the British steamer Leo Dawson (4330t) and the Norwegian steamer Hop (1365t) in the North Sea. There are no survivors from the Hop.

Diplomatic Relations

Members of the Balkan Entente (Rumania, Yugoslavia, Greece and Turkey) declare their neutrality.

Finland - Winter War

Day 67

On the Ladoga Karelia, the Finns wipe out the western 'motti' at Lemetti in the early hours of the morning. A considerable amount of Soviet materiel is captured including 32 assault tanks, 40 trucks, 6 field kitchens and the instruments of a military band. Only about 100 Russians manage to escape the 'motti' before it was destroyed. In northern Finland the Russian ski brigade launches a counterattack in Kuhmo. Only in Summa village do the Soviets attempt an advance, using their numerical superority to try to exhaust the Finnish troops, who are forced to fight and sleep in the open in temperature approaching 30 degrees below zero. The Finnish Army is out of reserves or available troops to transfer to areas where the Soviets are threatening to break through.

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 March 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.

U-41

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.

Battle of the Atlantic

The Estonian steamer Anu (1421t) hits a mine and sinks between Number 1 and Number 2 Buoys at the entrance to the River Tay. 7 crewmen are lost. The mine was laid by U-13 on 12 December.

Britain, Home Front

An IRA bomb explodes in London at Euston station. 4 people are hurt.

Finland - Winter War

Day 69

On the Karelian Isthmus the Mannerheim Line continues to hold. The Finns repulse the Soviet attemps in Summa village and Marjapellonmäki. In northern Finland in Kuhmo the Finnish 9th Div surrounds the Russian 54th Div in a series of 'mottis'. On the Ladoga Karelia Finnish troops capture a Russian base to the northeast of Lake Ladoga. The Russians lose over 500 men and a considerable amount of war materiel.

In Stockholm Foreign Minister Tanner is told that his suggestion of the previous day does not provide a sufficient basis for opening peace talks. Tanner leaves for home.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British steamer Munster (4305t) sinks near Mersey Light on a mine laid by U-30 on 9 January. 134 survivors, all that are on board, are rescued by the British steamer Ringwall.

Finland - Winter War

Day 70

Second Battle of Summa continues. On the Karelian Isthmus the non-stop Soviet artillery bombardment, bombing and tank and infantry assaults are now in their seventh day. The Finns are very tired and their artillery is running short of ammunition. On the central Isthmus Soviet tanks and infantry mount 2 separate assaults in Summa village but both are successfully repulsed by the Finns. On the Ladoga Karelia in the Aittojoki sector Detachment Pajari is attempting to strike the Russians to the west of the Kuukkausjoki. The Finnish attack grinds to halt in the evening due to heavy Russian fire. In northern Finland the Soviet detachment that had entered Finnish territory south of Raate is pushed back across the border.

The Soviets carry out a surprise bombing raid on Kajaani where the headquarters of the North Finland Group are located. 4 people are killed and several buildings destroyed including the town hospital.

France, Home Front

Paris police raid the Soviet Press Agency and discover that it is being used as a cover for a pro-German propaganda agency.

Finland - Winter War

Day 71

On the central Isthmus Soviet infantry supported by ski-borne armored sheets manage to reach the front of the Finnish positions in Summa. By midnight, however, the Soviets have been forced to withdraw leaving behind about 150 armored sheets. On the eastern Isthmus 2 Soviet divisions launch an assault in Taipale at 10:15a.m. The Soviet artillery is directed at the eastern part of Kirvesmäki and the western strongholds in Terenttilä. Besides the Soviet artillery, the Finnish position are also bombed and strafed by Soviet aircraft. In the fighting 2 of the Terenttilä strongholds are lost to the Russians. Finnish casualties are 32 killed and 187 wounded. The Soviet assault on Kirvesmäki fails with them losing 2 assault tanks. In the north, 1500 Russians are killed in Kuhmo. On the Ladoga Karelia the Soviets wipe out a Finnish ski battalion to the northeast of Lake Ladoga. To the east of Nietjärvi a Russian detachment of about 250 men is surrounded.

Finnish Ski Battalion Destroyed

Secret War

'Harry Sawyer' (William G. Sebold) arrives in New York to head German spy network in the United States. His special equipment includes 'microdots'. (Sebold is a double agent, working for the FBI.)

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British steamer Chagres (5406t) sinks about 5 miles from Bar Light Vessel off Mersey Light on a mine laid by U-30 on January 9th with the loss of 2 crewmen.
• The British trawler Agnes Ellen (293t) sinks on a mine en route from Holyhead to Workington on the west coast.
• During the night the German destroyers Friedrich Eckholdt, Richard Beitzen and Max Schultz lay 110 magnetic mines in The Wash on the British east coast. 6 merchant ships totaling 28,496 tons will be lost in this minefield.
• The German destroyers Bruno Heinemann, Wolfgang Zenker and Erich Zollner lay 157 mines in the Cromer Knoll area. 3 ships totaling 11,855 will be lost here.

Finland - Winter War

Day 72

On the Ladoga Karelia the Finns surround an entire Russian regiment in Vorojenkivi to the east of the great Kitelä 'motti'. This 'motti', north of Lake Ladoga, became known as the 'regimental motti' because the entire Russian regiment (JR 203) was trapped inside. The Finnish attempt to take the 'motti' fails due to the presence of Soviet tanks also trapped inside. On the Karelian Isthmus a general offensive is ordered by the commanders of the Soviet northwest front. Around noon, the Soviet infantry launches an assault supported by tanks on the positions of the Finnish 4th Div at Marjapellonmäki. Although the assault is repulsed, the Soviets managed to take the Karhu stronghold north of Marjapellonmäki on the Summa front. Finnish attempts to retake the stronghold are unsuccessful.

Nurse Training

Battle of the Atlantic

• 6 German merchant ships leave Vigo, Spain to run the blockade. Allied warships intercept 4, 1 runs aground off northern Norway and 1, the Wangoni, reaches Kiel.
• U-37 sinks the Norwegian steamer Silja (1259t) about 75 miles west of Cape Clear, Ireland with the loss of the entire crew.
• U-48 sinks the Dutch steamer Burgerdijk (6853t) southwest of the Scillies. The entire crew is rescued by the Dutch steamer Edam.
• The British trawler Theresa Boyle (224t) is bombed and sunk by He-111s of KG-26 115 northeast of Aberdeen. Survivors are rescued by the British minesweeping trawlers Brabant and Almandine.

Finland - Winter War

Day 73

On the central Isthmus the Finnish 3rd Div in Summa is under attack from 3 Soviet divisions and a tank brigade. The Soviet infantry has broken through in the Merkki sector. The Soviets are successfully beaten back in Marjapellonmäki, but the Finns are unable to retake the Karhu stronghold. On the eastern Isthmus the fighting in Taipale continues with the Soviet artillery opening up at 10:30a.m. Shortly after noon the Soviet infantry launches an assault supported by 6 tanks. On the Ladoga Karelia in the Aittojoki sector Detachment Pajari starts a new assault on the Kuukkausjoki River. After fierce close combat the Russians are cleared from the west bank by evening.

Bombs Destroy Monastery

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British trawler Halifax (165t) sinks on a mine southeast of Aldeburgh. The is a result of the German destroyer mine-laying operation of February 9th. The entire crew is rescued by the British steamer Ipswitch.
• U-9 sinks the Estonian steamer Linda (1213t) 100 miles west of Utsire with the loss of 1 crewman. Survivors are rescued by the Swedish steamer Birgitta.
• U-37 sinks the British trawler Togimo (290t) 68 miles southwest of Milford Haven with the loss of 1 of the crew. Survivors are picked up by the Spanish steamer Monte Navajo.
• U-50 sinks the Swedish steamer Orania (1854t) 60 miles northeast of the Shetlands with the loss of 14 crewmen. 10 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Fearless.
• U-53 sinks the Norwegian steamer Snestad (4114t) 100 miles west of the Hebrides. The crew is picked up by the Norwegian tanker Albert L. Ellsworth.

Finland - Winter War

Day 74

Intense fighting develops between the Russians and Finns on the Karelian front as the Red Army launches what was to become the decisive assault on the Mannerheim line. After a four hour artillery bombardment, about 140,000 Russians attack on a 12-mile front, a massive concentration of about seven men per yard. The Soviet 123rd Div of 7th Army succeeds in breaking into the Finnish defenses on the Mannerheim Line near Summa. The defending Finns knock out 72 Soviet assault tanks. Around 1 o'clock the 'Fort Poppius' fortress is taken by the Russians. By evening the Russians have penetrated to the support line in the Lähde sector. The Finns launch counterattacks but retire in good order to a second defensive line. In northern Finland at Löytövaara in Kuhmo, Battalion Arponen launches an assault at 7:00a.m. By infiltrating the Soviet lines the Finns put the Soviets on the run. By evening the area is in Finnish hands. A few of the Soviets manage to escape across Lake Löytöjärvi to Riihivaara.

72 Soviet Tanks Destroyed

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-33 is sunk in the Clyde by the minesweeper HMS Gleaner. This minor success is made significant by the recovery of naval Enigma cipher machine rotors.

  U-33

  Class	Type VII
  CO	Kapitänleutnant Hans von Dresky
  Location	Firth of Clyde
  Cause	Depth charge
  Casualties	25
  Survivors	17

Britain, Home Front

Paper rationing is introduced. Supplies are cut to 60 percent of previous levels.

North Africa

An Australian Imperial Force and a detachment of New Zealand troops arrive at Suez.

Finland - Winter War

Day 75

On the Karelian Isthmus the Soviets enlarge their breakthrough in the Lähde sector. The Russians continue to attack on the Muolaanjärvi-Punnusjärvi isthmuses. The Kirvesmäki stronghold in Taipale is taken by the Soviets and Finnish efforts to retake prove unsuccessful. A counterattack late in the day by the Finnish 5th Div fails to expel the Soviet force from their hold on the Summa position. It becomes apparent the Karelian defense line will not hold.

In the diplomatic negotiations the Soviets raise their terms a little further to match their growing military success. The Finnish cabinet authorizes efforts to end the war with the Russians. At the same time, Finland requests aid from Sweden (see February 16).

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British cruiser Dorsetshire intercepts the German blockade Wakama near Rio de Janeiro. The Wakama is scuttled and Brazil makes a vigorous protest.
• The British tanker British Triumph (8501t) from convoy FS-93 sinks on a mine in the Wash with the loss of 4 crewmen. The is a result of the German destroyer mine-laying operation of February 9th. The British sloop Stork and the British tanker British Officer rescue the survivors.
• U-25 sinks the Danish tanker Chastine Maersk (5177t) west of Norway. Survivors are rescued by the Norwegian steamer Hilda.
• U-54 sinks after hitting a mine in the Heligoland Bight.

  U-54

  Class	Type VIIB
  CO	Kapitänleutnant Günter Kutschmann
  Location	Heligoland Bight
  Cause	Mine
  Casualties	41
  Survivors	None

Finland - Winter War

Day 76

On the Karelian Isthmus at 6:30a.m. the 14th Inf Regt of the Finnish 5th Div counterattacks to retake the lost main defensive line in Summa. The Finnish troops make some progress but around noon they encounter Soviet tanks and are forced to withdraw. Just after noon Soviet troops break through the support line in the Lähde sector. The Finns counterattack but the Soviets continue to advance and near the Lähde crossroads. In Taipale the Finns retake the Kirvesmäki stronghold that was taken the day before by the Russians.

Fighting in the air continues as Squadron 26 shoots down 9 Soviet aircraft over the Isthmus. Viipuri is again bombed as well as Lahti, Heinola and Porvoo.

Foreign Minister Tanner meets with Swedish representatives hoping that Swedish troops might be sent to Finland. The Swedes reply that they will not give Finland direct military assistance.

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 March 19th when she breaks in two.

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.

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.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-14 sinks the Danish steamer Rhone (1064t) with the loss of 9 crewmen and the Danish steamer Sleipner (1066t) in the North Sea. The British destroyer Kipling and the Swedish fishing boat Standard rescue 39 men from the 2 vessels.
• U-26 sinks the Norwegian steamer Steinstad (2476t) west of Ireland 50 miles off the Clare coast with the loss of 13 crewmen.
• U-37 sinks the Danish steamer Aase (1206t) southwest of England with the loss of 15 of her crew. 1 survivor is rescued by the British destroyer Verity on the 17th.
• U-48 sinks the Dutch tanker Den Haag (8971t) 150 miles west of Ouessant. 13 survivors are picked up by the British steamer Glen Orchy.
• U-50 sinks the Danish steamer Maryland (4895t) northwest of Ireland with the loss of her entire crew.

Finland - Winter War

Day 78

The Soviets take Summa. By the evening the Russian 123rd Div has opened up a 2-3 km wide and 6 km deep gap in the Lähde sector in Summa. The Finnish forces are ordered to retire from the Mannerheim Line to their intermediate positions on the Isthmus. The troops begin to pull back to the Samolanlahti-Näykkijärvi-Muolaanjärvi-Äyräpäänjärvi line. This operation is completed February 17. In northern Finland the fighting in Kuhmo is concentrated on Kesseli although part of the Soviet Dolin ski brigade has already dispersed over a wide area to the rear of the Finnish 9th Div. The Dolin brigade, now numbering about 800 men, is completely surrounded. On Lake Ladoga Russian airborne troops attack the island of Petäjäsaari where they hold on for almost 24 hours. On the Ladoga Karelia fierce fighting is being waged for control of Pukitsanmäki. The Finns take the village of Lavajärvi capturing several artillery pieces, 3 armored cars, 8 trucks, 4 field kitchens and a large number of guns and ammunition.

Finns Capture More Equipment

Battle of the Atlantic

U-14 sinks the Swedish steamers Osmed (1526t) and Liana (1664t) 24 miles north of Kinnaird Head with the loss of 13 and 10 crewmen respectively. Survivors are picked up by the Swedish steamer Santos and the British trawler Loch Hope.

Diplomatic Relations

Sweden refuses a Finnish appeal for right of passage of foreign troops and direct military assistance.

Finland - Winter War

Day 79

On the Isthmus at 3:45pm Finnish troops receive the order to withdraw to the intermediary defensive positions. A controlled withdrawal is successful everywhere except the Lähde road sector. Here the Finnish lines are broken and the Soviets advance as far as Kämärä. In this sector an inexperienced battalion of the 62nd Inf Regt is unable to withstand the preliminary artillery bombardment and the tank assault which follows. The Finns break in panic and abandon their positions. In northern Finland the remnants of the Dolin ski brigade are wiped out in Kuhmo by the evening. 1700 of 1800 men in the brigade are killed. The Finns also capture a large amount of automatic weapons.

Soviet Ski Brigade Wiped Out

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British steamer Baron Ailsa (3656t) sinks on a mine in the Wash with the loss of 2 crewmen. This is a result of the German destroyer mine-laying operation of February 9th. The survivors are picked up by the British minesweeping trawler Beech.
• U-10 sinks the Norwegian steamer Kvernaas (1819t) 4 miles northwest of Schouwen Bank. The 20 crewmen are rescued by the Dutch steamer Oranjepolder.
• U-48 sinks the Finnish steamer Wilja (3396t) southwest of the Scilly Isles. 27 survivors are rescued by the British destroyer Vanessa and the Dutch steamer Maasdam.
• U-37 attacks convoy OG-18 and torpedoes the British steamer Pyrrhus (7418t) breaking her in two. The aft section sinks immediately but the fore part remains afloat for 2 days before sinking. 8 Chinese crewmen are lost and the survivors are picked up by the British steamers Uskside and Sinnington Court.

Britain, Home Front

Cossack Returns Home

Finland - Winter War

Day 80

The Soviet advance has completely cleared the Mannerheim Line. The Soviets have breached the line at Postilambi near Kämärä station. The outnumbered Finns are fighting enemy tanks on the open snow without anti-tank guns. All the Finnish defenders are now established in their second line of defense. The Finnish 23rd Div, brought forward from the reserve, has been slow to arrive because of air attacks. The Soviet attack grinds to a halt before the intermediary defensive positions. The Russians try very hard to take Suursaari Island on Lake Muolaanjärvi to no avail. In northern Finland the Soviets in Kuhmo launch a new attack on the Kuusijoki line in another effort to free the trapped 54th Div.

Soviet aircraft hit Iisalmi. 41 people are killed. Viipuri is bombed by 130 Soviet aircraft.

Finns Against Tanks

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-37 sinks the Greek steamer Ellin (4917t) 25 miles northwest of Cape Finisterre. The crew is picked up by the Spanish fishing vessel Manin. Also sunk by U-37 is the French steamer PLM 15 (3754t) from convoy 10-RS with the loss of her entire crew.
• U-53 sinks the Spanish steamer Banderas (2140t) 8 miles northwest of Cape Velano with the loss of 22 crewmen. 6 survivors are picked up by the Spanish fishing vessel Tritonia.
• U-10 sinks the Dutch steamer Ameland (4537t) near the Maasbank Buoy. Her entire crew of 48 is rescued by the Dutch steamer Montferland.
• U-61 sinks the Panamanian steamer El Sonador (1406t) east of the Shetlands and the Norwegian steamer Sangstad (4297t) east of Kirkwall. The entire crew of 17 from the El Sonador is lost. 1 is lost from the Sangstad and 22 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Brazen.

China

In the Battle of Nanning the Japanese are forced to withdraw from the city after heavy fighting.

German Raiders

Operation NORDMARK: battlecruisers Gneisenau and Scharnhorst and cruiser Admiral Hipper make an unsuccessful sortie against the 'HN' (Britain-Scandinavia) convoy route. Escorting U-boats sink 12 merchant ships and the British destroyer Daring. There are only 5 survivors from the Daring. 157 of the crew are lost.

Western Front

A German infantry detachment, with heavy mortar support, make an unsuccessful raid on a French outpost near the Moselle River.

Finland - Winter War

Day 81

There is growing pressure from Soviet troops around Viipurinlahti Bay. The Finns are forced to evacuate the mainland for the islands on the eastern side of the bay. On the eastern Isthmus the Soviets launch a massive assault on the Finnish defenses at Taipale. In Kirvesmäki the infantry assault is preceded by a brief bombardment from the Russian artillery. The Finnish front line is reinforced by troops from the 21st Div. The Finnish commanding officers of the strongholds are killed in the artillery bombardment and Soviet bombers knock out most of the machine guns. The Finns retreat and the Soviets are in control of the front line. On the Ladoga Karelia Finnish troops take the 'regimental motti' formed to the north of Lake Ladoga on February 9. Here the Finns capture 20 assault tanks, 35 artillery pieces, 25 trucks, 17 tractors, 200 miscellaneaous vehicles and 32 field kitchens. Soviet dead number around 1000. The Finns lose 166 men. On the Karelian Isthmus the Soviets push tanks throught the intermediate positions in 2 places. In northern Finland about 1000 Russians attack the Kuusijoki line supported by artillery and assault tanks.

Bombing is especially fierce at Viipuri. During the course of the day over 200 Soviet planes bomb the city.

Baltic Sea

The Swedish steamer Start (1765t) is seized by German warships and taken to Bremerhaven.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-23 sinks the British steamer Tiberton (5225t) in the Moray Firth with the loss of her entire crew.

Diplomatic Relations

King Gustav of Sweden reiterates his determination to remain neutral in the Russo-Finnish conflict.

Finland - Winter War

Day 82

Maj-Gen Erik Heinrichs is promoted to Lt-Gen by Mannerheim and assigns to him the Army of the Isthmus. A new I Army Corps is established on the Isthmus with Maj-Gen Taavetti Laatikaimen in command. Maj-Gen Paavo Talvela is appointed to command the III Army Corps. On the Karelian Isthmus at Taipale, the Finns repulse another Soviet assault at the Terenttilä strongholds. A new Soviet division attacks across Lake Suvanto. They are repelled by concentrated artillery fire. The Soviets suffer heavily. Further south the troops on the mainland pull back to Koivisto.

Soviet bombers hit Uuras and Antrea.

Finns Repulse Heavy Assault

Battle of the Atlantic

The British anti-submarine trawler Fifeshire (540t) is sunk by He-111 bombers of KG-26 52 miles east of Copinsay. 22 ratings and officers are lost with only 1 survivor.

Finland - Winter War

Day 83

As the Soviets maintain heavy pressure in the Taipale sector, the Finns repulse heavy attacks across the frozen Taipale River. In Terenttilä the Soviets break through the Finnish defenses to a depth in some spots of 1.5 km. By evening the Finns have taken a portion of the front line. The situation for the Finns on the Isthmus has deteriorated badly. In the Mustalampi area, Soviet tanks are dragging sled personnel carriers in a breakthrough of the intermediate defensive positions. The breakthrough extends about 1 km. The Finns can deal with the Soviet infantry but have nothing left of take out the tanks.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-50 sinks the Dutch tanker Tara (4760t) 60 miles southwest of Vigo. The French destroyer Fantasque rescues the entire crew.
• The Dutch steam trawler YM 49 (250t) hits a mine and sinks in the North Sea.

Finland - Winter War

Day 84

Blizzards hamper the Russian offensive in the Karelian Isthmus. The Russian breakthrough at the intermediate defensive position at Mustalampi is stopped by a renewed counterattack by a reinforced Finnish brigade. Gen Timoshenko regroups his formations as a prelude to a new attack on the Finnish defensive lines. Col A. E. Martola is placed in command of the Finnish 1st Div taking the place of Maj-Gen Taavetti Laatikainen. On the Ladoga Karelia during the morning the Finns take the final remnants of the 'regimental motti' to the north of Lake Ladoga. In northern Finland the Soviet offensive in Kuhmo runs out of steam.

The Viipuri marshalling yard is hit hard by Soviet aircraft. Over 1000 wagons and a dozen engines are trapped in the yard by the damaged track. The Swedish village of Pajala in the Tornedal valley 9 km from the Finnish border is bombed by Soviet aircraft. The Swedish government delivers a strong protest to the Soviet Union over the incident.

Battle of the Atlantic

• He-111s bomb 2 German destroyers, the Leberecht Mass (Z1) and Max Schultz (Z3), by mistake off the Frisian Islands. They sail into a British minefield and sink. 56 survivors of Leberecht Mass are rescued by another German destroyer. There are no survivors from the Max Schultz. A total of 578 sailors are lost.
• U-50 sinks the British tanker British Endeavour (4580t) from convoy OG-19F northwest of Cape Finisterre with the loss of 5 crewmen. The British steamer Bodnant rescues 33 survivors.

Diplomatic Relations

Sweden announces officially that it will not enter in any way the Russian-Finnish conflict and will not allow Allied troops to cross its territory.

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Finland - Winter War

Day 85

Encircled near Kitelaë on the Ladoga Front, the 34th Moscow Tank Bde eats the last of its pack horses. For the next few days the Russians survive on starvation rations plus biscuits and rusks dropped from aircraft (See February 28). In the morning, the Russian 43rd Div launches an assault on the Koivisto islands from the mainland. The Soviets begin to occupy the islands in the Gulf of Finland. The Finns evacuate Koivisto after blowing up the coastal defense guns and destroying fortifications there. The Finns withdraw across Viipurinlahti Bay to Säkkijärvi. On the Isthmus the Soviet assaults on the intermediate defensive positions are successfully repulsed. In northern Finland in Kuhmo, Finnish dugouts are destroyed by direct laying fire from the heavy field guns of the Soviets.

Final conditions for peace are given to the Finns by the Soviets: Finland must surrender the Karelian Isthmus and the borders of Lake Ladoga and grant a 30-year lease to the Soviet Union of the Hanko peninsula; and finally must sign a pact of mutual assistance making the Gulf of Finland strategically secure for both countries. In exchange, the Russians will evacuate the Petsamo area.

Battle of the Atlantic

The British trawler Benvolio (352t) sinks on a mine in the Humber with the loss of 10 crewmen.

Britain, Home Front

700 officers and men of Ajax and Exeter march through cheering crowds to London's Guildhall to celebrate the River Plate victory.

Finland - Winter War

Day 86

The commander of the Army of the Isthmus orders his subordinate commanders to prepare to withdraw to their backline defensive positions. A Finnish force retakes Lasisaari Island in Viipurinlahti Bay but they are unable to hold on and withdraw during the night. The Soviets attack Petäjäsaari Island in Lake Ladoga. They gain control of the southern tip of the island for a period of about 24 hours. On the Ladoga Karelia the Soviets attack across the entire front but without success.

Soviets Attack Across Entire Front

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British steamer Jevington Court (4544t) from convoy FS-103 sinks on a mine about 8 miles from the Cromer Knoll Light Vessel. This is a result of the German destroyer mine-laying operation of February 9th. The entire crew is picked up by the British minesweeper Dunoon.
• The British steamer Clan Morrison (5936t) from convoy FN-102 sinks on a mine in the Wash. This is a result of the German destroyer mine-laying operation of February 9th. Survivors are picked up by the British minesweeping trawler Nogi.
• The British steamer Royal Archer (2266t) sinks about 7 miles northeast of Inchkeith Island from a mine laid by U-21 on 3 November 1939. 27 crewmen and 1 gunner are rescued.

Britain, Home Front

Chamberlain, in Birmingham, condemns Nazi war aims: 'destruction of this nation and domination of the world', but declares his continued willingness to reach a settlement with an alternative German government.

Diplomatic Relations

• A conference of Scandinavian Foreign Ministers is held at Copenhagen (February 24-25). The ministers re-assert 'absolute neutrality' of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
• A German-Italian trade agreement is made giving Italy a greater supply of coal.

Finland - Winter War

Day 87

On the Karelian Isthmus the Finnish 23rd Div counterattacks in order to improve their defensive positions to the east of Lake Näykkijärvi. The counterattack begins at 2:30am but almost immediately breaks down and the Finns return to their defensive positions. In the north the Finnish guerillas operating in Salla are beginning to suffer because of countermeasures employed by the Soviets. The independent Company Kojonen pulls off a surprise attack on a Red Army logistics center at Kuusivaara in Salla where the Soviets lose heavily. In Petsamo, a 180-man strong Soviet ski company attacks Heteoja, bringing to an end a phase of the guerilla activity which had lasted almost 2 months. They become surrounded by the Finns, but about half are able to break out. In Kuhmo, the Finns take the Reuhkavaara 'motti'. There are 174 Russians killed. Finnish casualties are 3 dead and 5 wounded. A considerable amout of materiel is captured including 2 tanks, 4 trucks and over 200 small arms.

Finns Counterattack on the Karelian Isthmus

Air Operations, Europe

The first squadron of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) reaches Britain.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-63 is spotted by the British submarine Narwhal while escorting convoy HN-14. Four destroyers pursue for about two hours: Escapade, Escort, Imogen and Inglefield. The U-boat surfaces and is abandoned by her crew.

U-63

Finland - Winter War

Day 88

On the Karelian Isthmus the Soviet offensive on the intermediate defensive positions is halted by Finnish counterattacks. A Finnish infantry division is deployed in Vuosalmi. In the north a Russian company pursuing the Finns who carried out the surprise attack on the previous day is destroyed in an ambush.

Air Operations, Europe

AA fire drives away German reconnaissance planes from Paris.

Diplomatic Relations

US envoy Sumner Welles, with the offer of US mediation, begins his series of meetings with European leaders. Among those he will be meeting with are Mussolini, Hitler, Chamberlain, Daladier, Reynaud, the Kings of England and Italy, and the Pope. His tour ends March 20.

Germany, Planning

In view of the attack on the Altmark, Hitler sees Norwegian neutrality as too unreliable. Preparations for Operation WESERÜBUNG against Norway and Denmark are therefore accelerated and the Führer signs the first Directive to get it under way. Germany is interested in Norwegian iron ore as well as in the strategic position of the two Scandinavian countries.

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Finland - Winter War

Day 89

Marshal Timoshenko orders his troops to take Viipuri. They are to surround and totally destroy the Finnish defenders. The plan of attack includes an assault by 2 army corps across Viipurinlahti Bay to encircle the city from the southwest. Further east 2 more army corps will attack to the north along the banks of the Vuoksi. Col Oinonen, the new commander of the Finnish 23rd Div, decides to launch a counterattack on the Soviet troops that have overrun the Honkaniemi area. The attack has problems and delayed for about an hour because they cannot make contact with their own artillery. Then when the preliminary bombardment begins the first shells fall on the Finns themselves killing or wounding about 30 men. When the troops on the Isthmus at Lake Näykkijärvi move into battle between 6:15 and 10:00am, a fierce tank battle ensues around Honkaniemi station. The Finns lose 5 of the 6 old Vickers tanks used in the attack. The attacking troops are finally forced to withdraw to their starting positions. The Russians bring up more men to support the breakthrough. 2 strongholds are initially lost in the Terenttilä area in Taipale, but are retaken in the counterattack. After the failure of counterattacks against the Soviet penetrations, the Finnish command orders their forces to retreat to their third, final line of defense. Koivisto, the coastal fortress on the right flank of the Mannerheim Line, is evacuated.

80 Soviet bombers pound the marshalling yard and surrounding district in Kouvola, causing a temporary break in traffic to the east and south. 8 Finnish aircraft bomb the Lontinanpelto airfield near the mouth of the Syväri River and the Murmansk railway line.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The French steamer PLM 25 (5391t) from convoy FS-106 sinks on a mine 5 miles from the Cromer Light Vessel. This is a result of the German destroyer mine-laying operation of February 9th. 4 of the crew are lost and the survivors are picked up by the British escort ship Wallace.
• The British trawler Ben Attow (156t) sinks about 7 miles southeast of May Island. It is believed to be the result of a torpedo from an He-111 of KG-26 who were making anti-shipping sorties armed with torpedoes.

Diplomatic Relations

As the first volunteers leave Britain for Finland, Sweden and Norway again refuse to allow foreign troops to traverse their land to aid the Finns.

Finland - Winter War

Day 90

Orders to evacuate the second defensive line are given by Gen Mannerheim. The Finnish troops have held the intermediate defensive line on the Isthmus for 12 days. Lt-Gen Erik Henrichs, commander of the Army of the Isthmus, orders withdrawal from these positions to begin at 7:00pm. The Finns begin delaying actions to cover the withdrawal. The Finns are able to withdraw successfully. Following the realignment of the front on the western part of the Isthmus, the Finnish 2nd Div is ordered to pull back to the eastern side of the Vuoksi and defend the Sintolanniemi-Vuosalmi line. The 2nd Div is placed under III Army Corps and begins a delaying action in the Vuosalmi sector. In the far north in the face of an assault by a much larger Soviet force the Finns are force to withdraw to the west bank of the Nautsijoki River.

China

Communist troops defeat the Japanese to retake Anding near Yenan.

Finland - Winter War

Day 91

The Soviets launch a massive general offensive. On the Karelian Isthmus the Finns pull back from Pulliniemi and Lihaniemi. During the course of the day the Finns repel 3 Soviet attacks on the Taipale strongholds. In the north the Swedish volunteer corps, Svenska Frivilligkären, takes over responsibility for the front at Märkäjärvi in Salla in the early hours of the morning. The Finns storm the entrenched camp of the starving 34th Moscow Tank Bde near Kitelä. They capture 105 tanks and 200 trucks and field cars.

Upon his return from Stockholm Foreign Minister Tanner says Finland has no choice but to accept the Soviet Union's peace terms. The majority of the Finnish Government are inclined to agree, but they want to hear the opinion of the Commander-in-Chief.

Finland - Winter War

Day 92

The massive Soviet offensive continues across Viipurinlahti Bay to Häränpäänniemi and Vilajoki. Withdrawal from the intermediate and delaying positions in the Suur-Pero sector disintegrates into panic when Soviet tanks get in among the Finnish troops. Timoshenko's troops overrun the second Finnish defensive line. The defending Finns manage to defeat the Soviet detachments that have come ashore, but later in the evening the islands of Tuppura and Teikari are lost to the Soviets. In the Ladoga Karelia, the eastern Lemetti 'motti', also known as the 'general motti', is captured about 4:00am giving IV Army Corps its greatest haul of Soviet materiel. Included in the take are 71 tanks, 268 trucks and several truckloads of guns and shells. Brigade Commander Kondratiev, the general after whom the 'motti' was named, is killed along with his staff officers in a desperate attempt to break out. The Russians lose about 3,000 men in the action here. In northern Finland, a fierce artillery bombardment precedes a third attempt by the Soviets to come to the aid of the surrounded 54th Div at Kilpelänkangas in Kuhmo. The Finnish positions are pounded with about 3,000 rounds in about 2 hours.

The Battle of Viipuri begins. The Russians make an all out effort to crush resistance in the Karelian Isthmus by encircling the city of Viipuri and reaching the Viipuri-Helsinki highway. This battle ends March 13.