December

1939 Allied merchant shipping sunk by U-boats, world-wide from the out break of war to year’s end 1939 is 165 ships, equaling 693,557 gross tons. 9 U-boats were lost worldwide in the same period. Finnish troops destroy yet another Russian division. New Year’s Eve observances in Britain, France and Germany are very subdued due to blackout and […]

1939 Finnish troops at Suomussalmi, completely destroy the Russian 163rd Infantry Division. 1940 California’s first freeway, the Arroyo Seco Parkway, opens between Los Angeles and Pasadena. U.S. Vice Admiral Claude C. Bloch writes a letter to the Navy Department complaining of inadequate defenses at Pearl Harbor 1941 The Russian success in the Crimea continues as

1939 Finnish forces launch a successful counter attack to the North of Lake Ladoga. Finnish ski troops tear up the Leningrad-Murmansk rail line. 1940 The worst Luftwaffe raid on London causes 1500 fires in the “Second Great Fire of London,” but St. Paul’s Cathedral survives. President Roosevelt makes “Arsenal of Democracy” radio address in a

1939 First flight of the XB-24 Liberator, at Lindbergh Field, San Diego, the prototype for what will be America’s most-produced four-engine bomber of the war. The German submarine U-30 spotted the British battleship HMS Barnham west of the Butt of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides and hit it with a torpedo. Four crew members were

1939 The Finnish 9th Division attacks towards Suomussalmi, recapturing the village and forcing the Russian 163rd Division to retreat in panic. US State Department protests British removal and censorship of US mail from neutral ships. 1941 Japanese bomb Manila despite “open city” declaration. Australian Prime Minister John Curtin proclaims, “Australia looks to America.” Japanese sub I-25 shells

1939 The first squadron of Australian airmen arrives in Britain. 1941 Japanese troops cross the river Perak. The Japanese commander General Yamashita senses that British resistance is weakening in Malaya and is determined to push home his advantage and not allow the British any time to reorganize themselves. This he does by forcing the British

1939 A fresh Russian division is thrown into the attacks at Taipale. The Russian air force bombs 11 towns and villages. Soviets attempt to break out at Suomussalmi, Finland, but fail. The admiralty announces the completion of a minefield, 500 miles long and 35 wide, down the East coast. 1940 The Admiral Hipper intercepts a

1939 Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas appeal for peace. 1940 US refuses to admit Jewish refugees, believing it will lead to expulsion of all Jews from Europe. Bonus Christmas ration is distributed in Germany—26 oz rice & vegetables, 1 lb sugar, coffee, and jam. 1941 Japanese troops make further landings on Luzon to the

1939 British form military intelligence section MI9 to aid resistance fighters, downed airmen, and POWs in Nazi-occupied countries. First Canadian troops arrive in Britain. 1940 Anthony Eden becomes Foreign Secretary. Churchill broadcasts to Italy: ‘All because of one man’. Lord Halifax appointed British ambassador to Washington. Italian torpedo boat Fratelli Cairoli sinks after hitting a

1939 Finns overrun Soviets at Ägläjärvi, Finland. 1940 David Margesson appointed to replace Anthony Eden as British Secretary of State for War. The Battle of Himara ended in Greek victory. The heaviest raids of the Manchester Blitz began. Over the next two days a total of 654 people were killed and over 2,000 injured. 1941 Prime Minister Churchill arrives