military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (03/03/90)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Saturday, 2 March, 1940 As Soviet troops enter the outskirts of Viipuri, Finnish fighters turn back an air raid on Helsinki. The US Export Bank allots $20 million in credit to Finland. The British Liner Domala is bombed and sunk off the Isle of Wight; 100 civilians are killed. Reports from South America place a large German warship and two U-boats off the Brazilian coast. Other rumors state that a sea battle is underway off Cape Polonio, but this is denied by the British Legation. The British freighter Southgate claims to have been attacked by a U-boat off Puerto Rico. Britain requests that the US cease shipments of lubricating oils to Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark, fearing they might then be transferred to Germany. The French government claims that Germany is planning to invade Denmark and Norway. Sweden and Norway re-affirm their refusal of passage for Allied troops destined for Finland. Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles meets with Chancellor Hitler, who lays out six points as the German requirements for peace. These include the return of pre-WWI German colonies, plus the British surrender of Gibraltar, Suez, and Singapore. The Indian Congress party threatens civil disobedience as the next step toward independence. References: J. Keegan, ed., _The Times Atlas of the Second World War_ 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 "Indian freedom cannot exist within the orbit of British imperialism, and dominion status or any other status within the imperial structure is wholly inapplicable to India and not in keeping with the dignity of a great nation." - Resolution of the Indian Congress Party