military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (01/20/90)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Saturday, 20 January, 1940 Soviet air raids on Turku and Hangoe start massive fires Hitler orders that "Fall Gelb" (Plan Yellow) should be prepared to commence on 24 hours notice, rather than the 4 days notice originally intended. The change is to promote security and ensure operational surprise. Winston Churchill broadcasts from London, asking neutral nations to join the Allies in their fight against Germany. Britain bans the importation of American tobacco, and lists American-made lubricants bound for Norway as contraband, heightening tension between the US and Britain. Flight testing of the Army's newest bomber, the Consolidated B-24, continue in San Diego, California. References: C.Argyle, _Chronology of World War II_ J. Piekalkiewicz, _Tank War 1939-1940_ R.Dupuy and T.Dupuy, _The Encyclopedia of Military History_ C.Salmaggi and A.Pallavisini, _2194 Days of War_ C.Messenger, _Atlas of World War Two_ The New York Times, daily editions Time magazine Newsweek -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@cbnews.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "Mediterranean strategy is one of the most interesting as well as the most complicated problems seapower has to deal with." - Admiral William Pratt, USN, Retired, in Newsweek