military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (12/08/89)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Friday, 8 December, 1939 Moscow still claims a breakthrough of the Mannerheim Line, while Helsinki denies that the line has been reached. A skirmish is reported between naval units of the USSR and Finland, and Finnish shore batteries, off the Helsinki coast. Finnish motor-torpedo boats raid the Soviet Navy in port at Kronstadt. In central Finland, the Soviet 9th Army continues to advance, capturing Suomussalmi. On the north coast, a Russian landing at Liinahamari is met with prepared mines, which blast parts of the cliff face onto the Soviet landing craft. Casualties from Finnish sharpshooters bring the losses in this operation to over 1000 men. The Soviet government disavows Comintern's warning to Rumania. Admiral Raeder again talks to Hitler of invading Norway. Alfred Rosenburg, the Nazi political and racial `expert' also introduces the head of the tiny Norwegian National Unity to Hitler. His name is Vidkung Quisling. The British destroyer Jersey is torpedoed by a U-boat, and 3 merchanment are sunk. British aircraft report the sinking of 2 German subs. Joseph P. Kennedy, US Ambassador to Britain, suggests using idle American shipping on vacant British trade routes in non-combat zones. He also urges the election of President Roosevelt for a third term. Secretary of State Cordell Hull requests the exclusion of US ships and goods from Britain's export blockade of Germany. Reporter: waisnor_r@apollo.com -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@cbnews.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "We do not want to occupy Bessarabia, but we want to maintain the best relations with Rumania." - Paul Koukolief, Soviet Charge' D'Affaires.