military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (12/19/90)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Thursday, 19 December, 1940 Risto Ryti becomes President of Finland, replacing the retiring President Kyosti Kallio. Kallio, age 67, dies of heart failure on his way home from the ceremonies. 134 Wellington bombers conduct a night raid on the Mannheim region, the third raid in as many days on that city. The goal of then British bombings is to disrupt the transport of German troops into Italy. British troops in Libya report that the Italian-held port of Bardia has now been cut off from overland communications. Britain signs a contract for 60 new merchant ships with the Todd Shipyard in New York. The $100 million contract requires the construction of two new yards, and the first vessel is expected off the ways within 9 months. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "We have no hatred for them as people nor contempt for them as soldiers, however much we may feel those sentiments for their present rulers." - Winston Churchill, regarding the Italians