military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (12/15/89)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Friday, 15 December, 1939 Fighting near Suomussalmi intensifies. The Soviet 163rd Rifle and 44th Motorized divisions are badly beset by the snow and an agile Finnish defense. Additionally, Finland claims a Soviet destroyer of the Gordi class sunk by shore batteries. Finland's Foreign Minister Tanner announces his country's willingness to renew negotiations with the USSR, also warning that Finland would defend herself to the last. Finland also delivers its semi-annual installment to repay its WWI debt to the United States; a check for $234,693. The US Treasury Secretary will hold the check in suspense while Roosevelt petitions Congress to use the money for Finland's benefit. He also hands over numerous contributions received by his office on Finland's behalf. As usual, Finland, along with Hungary, is the only one of the debtor nations to meet its installment. The combined payment for the seventeen nations amounts to over $161 million. Uruguayan officials decide that the Graf Spee must leave port by 6:30 on the 17th or be interned. They also protest to Germany and Britain for engaging in combat within within Uruguayan waters. A joint patrol with Argentina is established to prevent a recurrence. The BEF is augmented by three infantry brigades formed into the 5th division. In Atlanta's Grand Theatre, "Gone With the Wind" premiers. It will set a box office record of $80 million dollars in its first run. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@cbnews.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "No emergency can be so deep as to make Finland disregard an obligation made in good faith." - Finnish minister Hjalmar Procope