military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (11/30/89)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Thursday, 30 November, 1939 At 9:15 A.M., forces of the Soviet Union invade Finland. Within 10 minutes, Helsinki is bombed. The Soviet assault is concentrated on the Karelian Isthmus with 12 infantry divisions and 7 armored brigades, while another 17 infantry divisions and one armored brigade attack along the rest of the border. They total about 550,000 men, 1500 tanks, and 1000 aircraft. In defense, Finland musters 9 infantry divisions (about 150,000 men) and 60 obsolete tanks, with 150 old aircraft. The USSR still holds in reserve a large portion of the Leningrad Military District. Britain, Italy, and Norway announce their sympathies for Finland. Germany indicates an attitude of "benevolent neutrality," though they clearly back the USSR. In response to Britain's plan to seize German exports, Japan warns that she may retaliate by seizing Anglo-French cargoes in the Far East. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@cbnews.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "Citizens of the Soviet Union - The hostile attitude of the present Government of Finland toward our contry forced us to take certain measures in order to guarantee the exterior security of our country."