military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (12/22/89)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Friday, 22 December, 1939 The French Chamber of Deputies approves 304 billion francs for armament production in 1940. Daladier announces the strengthening of the Maginot Line and completion of fortifications in Northern France and the Jura Mountains. Britain's Ministry of Economic Warfare announces that she has siezed 10% of Germany's normal imports since the war's beginnings; about 870,000 tons of goods so far. The US Navy begins preparing plans for a 65000 ton battleship, to follow on the heels of the 45000 ton ships funded this year. Congressman Maas of Minnesota recommends a ship of up to 80,000 tons, claiming that it would be cheaper in the long run and would make the nation "absolutely invulnerable." Britain expresses disbelief over the proposals. The New York Times estimates Russian casualties in the Finland war at over 30,000. French sources report that the entire German Navy has set sail, half to the Baltic, half to the North Sea. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@cbnews.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "An 80,000-ton battleship, I am satisfied, could have seven or eight turrets and mount 20-inch guns. " Representative Maas