Showing posts with label Soviet 44th Rifle Division. Show all posts

Monday, May 9, 2016

January 8, 1940: Ratte Road Battle Ends

Monday 8 January 1940

8 January 1940 worldwartwo.filminspector.com Soviet dead Suomussalmi

Soviet dead stacked up near their abandoned vehicles.

Winter War: By 8 January 1940, the Finns have astounded the world by beating back most of the Soviet incursions on their territory, including all of the most deadly ones.

Winter War Army Operations: The Soviet holdouts on the Ratte road surrender around Lakes Kuivasjarvi and Kuomasjarvi (near Captain Mäkinen’s original roadblock). The Finns will take a few days to finish off the remaining Soviet stragglers who ran into the woods or are still hiding in abandoned equipment on the Ratte road. In essence, though, they now have completely eliminated what had been considered the most dangerous advance into the country.

Casualties of the 44th Rifle Division totaled over 5,000 men. All told, in the Suomussalmi battles, the Soviets lost 13,000-27,500 dead or missing, with 2,100 prisoners, 71 field guns, 260 trucks, 1,170 horses, 29 anti-tank guns, and 43 tanks captured.

While it is an epic defeat, the Soviet Union is far from defeated.

8 January 1940 worldwartwo.filminspector.com Wellington DWI

A Wellington bomber with the DWI apparatus.

Battle of the Atlantic: A Wellington 1A bomber is converted into a magnetic mine killer with DWI (Directional Wireless Installation). It is powered by a Ford V8 engine driving an electrical generator. By flying over the mines, it makes the explode. The installation is an awkward aluminum coil inside a balsa wood ring with a diameter of 51 feet.

Operating from Manston, Kent, England, must fly low (60 feet) and slow. If it flies lower than 35 feet, it risks damage from the exploding mines. It makes its first sortie over the North Sea. This is one solution to the magnetic mines, the other is degaussing of individual ships, but that will take longer to implement and is much more costly.

Convoy HG 14 departs from Finland to Liverpool.

British Homefront: Weekly British food rationing begins and ration books are issued. Every person gets 40z (100g) of back or ham, 12z (350g) of sugar.

German Military: The Germans establish a new military headquarters at Recklinghausen about 10 miles from the Dutch frontier.

British Military: General Wavell departs for an inspection tour of British Somaliland and French Somaliland.

Japan: The Japanese cabinet establishes a puppet government over occupied China. It is headed by Ching-Wei, who previously had lost a power struggle with Chiang Kai-shek for control of the Nationalist government and now seeks to control China by another route.

China: The Chinese Winter Offensive grinds on: Southern Honan Army of the 5th War Area launches a counterattack around the Pingchangkuan - Hsiaolintien - Kungchiafan sector.

8 January 1940 worldwartwo.filminspector.com Soviet Prisoner

A Soviet POW.

Future History: General Chuikov, as students of the war know very well, goes on to glory later in the war. However, in his autobiography of the war written decades later ('From Stalingrad to Berlin"), he devotes not one single word to his command of the Ninth Army during the battles of Suomussalmi and the Ratte road.

January 1940

January 1, 1940: Finns Carve up the Soviets
January 2, 1940: Finnish Counterattacks Continue
January 3, 1940: Soviets Trapped
January 4, 1940: Soviet Breakout Attempts Fail
January 5, 1940: Dicing Up the Soviets
January 6, 1940: Soviet 44th Division Runs
January 7, 1940: Shakeup in Soviet High Command
January 8, 1940: Ratte Road Battle Ends
January 9, 1940: British Submarines in Peril
January 10, 1940: Mechelen Incident
January 11, 1940: Finns Surround More Soviets
January 12, 1940: New Soviet Attacks at Taipale
January 13, 1940: Fall Gelb Postponed
January 14, 1940: Japan's Government Falls
January 15, 1940: Soviets Prepare More Carefully
January 16, 1940: German Atrocities Uncovered
January 17, 1940: Bletchley Park in Action
January 18, 1940: New Hope for Allied Shipping
January 19, 1940: Finnish Attacks at Salla
January 20, 1940: Churchill Urges Cooperation
January 21, 1940: Asam Maru Incident
January 22, 1940: Dissension Within British Government
January 23, 1940: Dissension in South Africa
January 24, 1940: NKVD Blocking Detachments
January 25, 1940: Auschwitz Site Selected
January 26, 1940: Millionaire Bunker Destroyed
January 27, 1940: U-20 Sinks Four Ships
January 28, 1940: Softening Up the Finns
January 29, 1940: Moscow Willing to Talk
January 30, 1940: Hitler Throws Down the Gauntlet
January 31, 1940: Timoshenko Is Ready

2019

January 7, 1940: Shakeup in Soviet High Command

Sunday 7 January 1940

7 January 1940 worldwartwo.filminspector.com Soviet tanks

Abandoned Soviet tanks captured by the Finns.

Winter War: Finland now claims, on 7 January 1940, to have killed 50,000 Soviet troops since the start of the war.

Winter War Army Operations: The Soviet 44th Rifle Division on the Ratte road collapses. The western end of the column disintegrates, with the Soviet survivors fleeing aimlessly into the frozen woods which are hip-deep in the snow. At the destroyed Purasjoki Bridge crossing, the Finnish 9th Division maintains its roadblock. Facing eastward, other Finnish troops at Ratte on the border block any Soviet attempt at relief.

There are still scattered pockets of armed Soviet survivors back on the Ratte road, including unattended wounded.

The survivors are not greeted warmly on the Soviet side of the border. The 305th Rifle Regiment (Captain Chervyakov), the only relatively intact Soviet formation to make it back, is immediately ordered to man the border against the nearby Finns. Many the men no longer have rifles, and some 40% have no gloves or mittens.

There is no food at the border for the troops of the 44th Rifle Division that escaped. They had abandoned their own field kitchens and supplies to the Finns. The Soviets behind the lines do not believe in helping losers.

Battle of the Atlantic: The City Of Flint, now flying under the Finnish flag, departs from Narvik for Baltimore under its original captain, Joseph A. Gainard. He is awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the ordeal.

Royal Navy submarine HMS Seahorse is sunk by Kriegsmarine minesweepers in the Heligoland Bight. This is in addition to the minesweepers' sinking of the HMS Undine the previous day.

British vessels 2888-ton Towneley and 5160-ton Cedrington Court hit mines and sink.

German freighter Konsul Horn, interned in Aruba, escapes. It disguises itself as a Soviet merchant freighter to evade US neutrality patrols.

The British at Gibraltar release the US passenger liner Manhattan.

Convoy 68 GF departs Southend, Convoy OB 68 departs Liverpool.

Western Front: There is artillery fire east of the Blies River (a tributary of the Saar).

Soviet Military: There is a major command shake-up. Marshal Voroshilov takes personal command of the Soviet armies in Finland, while General Semyon Konstantinovich Timoshenko takes over the 7th and 13th Armies in the Karelian Isthmus. This command is now named the Northwestern Front.

Finnish Homefront: The Finns have evacuated non-essential civilians from the major cities. there are 400,000 who have left home for safer towns.

British Homefront: First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill visits the BEF in France.

China: Chinese 5th War Area (31st Army Group) captures Huashan.

Italian submarine Tartantini, launched on 7 January 1940.

January 1940

January 6, 1940: Soviet 44th Division Runs

Saturday 6 January 1940

6 January 1940 worldwartwo.filminspector.com Finnish Fokker D.XXI fighter

Fokker D.XXI Finnish fighter.

Winter War Army Operations: The Finnish 12th and 13th Infantry Divisions attack the Soviet 8th Army north of Lake Ladoga early on 6 January 1940.

Time to finish off the reeling Soviet 44th Rifle Division. On the Raate road, the Finns begin at 3 a.m. They attack 5 miles east of Mäkinen’s original roadblock near Suomussalmi. The Soviet soldiers flee into the forests, where the Finns on skis track them down. In any event, there is nothing for them there, no shelter, so most soon perish in the bitter, lifeless cold.

Task Force Fagernas continues holding the Purasjoki River crossing area where they blew up the bridge on 5 January 1940. The NKVD troops from the USSR attempt to get by them to relieve their comrades further east, but fail. The Task Force also has enough troops to spare to cut the Ratte road further west as well.

Comrade Vinogradov, in command of Soviet 44th Rifle Division, radios Chuikov at 9th Army HQ that his men can only return through the forest and must leave all their equipment behind. Chuikov replies that the men must wait where they are until relief forces arrive. However, Chuikov himself asks the Stavka for instructions, requesting a breakout without the heavy equipment.

Division headquarter has lost all contact with the Division on the Ratte road except with the 122nd Artillery Regiment and the 305th Rifle Regiment.

Late in the day, the Finns construct a barrier near the border. Vinogradov breaks down at 16:00 and tells his subordinates to break out at 22:00. Everything is put into the effort, which is led by two rifle companies of the 25th Rifle Regiment under Major Plyukhin. Two batteries of artillery, tanks, and the rest of the Division follow along. The vast majority of the wounded are left behind on the road.

The breakout begins sometime during the night. The breakout failed immediately. The Soviets abandoned their heavy equipment and ran north of the road, into the woods. The vast majority of the heavy equipment remained intact. The fleeing Soviet troops then headed eastward through deep snow, about 2-3 kilometers away toward the border. One group, the 305th Regiment, escaped without opposition. Vinogradov, who had joined the column at some point, escaped guarded by two rifle companies and a Guard Platoon.

Winter War Air Operations: A group of Ilyushin bombers is flying over Utti, 60 miles northeast of Helsinki, when two Finnish Fokker D.XXI fighters intercept them and shoot seven of them down. Finnish pilot Jorma Sarvanto shoots down six of them in 25 minutes.

Battle of the Atlantic: The Kriegsmarine issues orders to its U-boats to "make immediately unrestricted use of weapons against all ships" in an area of the North Sea the limits of which were defined. [This is according to testimony and evidence of Admiral Doenitz at the Nuremberg trials following World War II.]

Royal Navy submarine HMS Undine (Lt. Cdr. Alan Spencer Jackson) is captured by Kriegsmarine minesweepers in the Heligoland Bight but sinks due to demolition charges before it can be boarded. Commander Jackson had attacked three trawlers which turned out to be heavily armed German auxiliary minesweepers.

The British 8,317-ton liner City of Marseilles hits a mine in the River Tay of Scotland but is towed to port by salvagers after the crew abandons ship. The mine had been laid by U-13 on 12 December 1939. One crew perishes, 13 survive.

The Kriegsmarine conducts more mine-laying operations in the English Channel.

US passenger liner Manhattan detained by the British at Gibraltar.

Convoy OG 13 forms at Gibraltar, HX 15 departs from Halifax.

Italian/Hungarian Relations: The two foreign ministers, Ciano and Csaky, meet in Venice.

Soviet/Norwegian Relations: The Norwegian government denies the Soviet accusation that is it not acting in a neutral fashion in the Winter War.

British/ Norwegian Relations: The British demand access to Norwegian waters for operations due to German attacks on shipping.

Holland: The government announces that it will defend itself against any attack.

Ireland: Prime Minister Eamon de Valera calls for emergency powers to increase pressure on the IRA. The Emergency Powers Act has been found wanting, as the Irish courts set free 53 men who had been detained as suspected terrorists. The Dall (Irish Parliament) considers a much tougher bill that would authorize their detention without trial or due process.

United States Military: Admiral James Richardson takes command of the fleet in Hawaii.

United States Homefront: Duke indoor stadium is dedicated.

New York City, January 6, 1940. Before environmental protections, a heavy haze over the city was common. Now, it is rare.

January 1940

January 2, 1940: Finnish Counterattacks Continue

Tuesday 2 January 1940

2 January 1940 worldwartwo.filminspector.com reindeer Finnish troops

Finnish troops using reindeer as transport.

Winter War: Fierce winter snowstorms on 2 January 1940 blanket the Karelian Isthmus, halting most operations. However, the Finns continue carving up the 30 km Soviet column stretched out on the Ratte road. The term they use is "mottis," which is Finnish for "logs," as in they are cutting the tree of the stalled Soviet 44th Rifle Division into separate logs for burning.

Captain Lassila, who began attacking one section of the stalled column shortly before midnight on the first, creates blockades on the Ratte road by felling trees and placing land mines. The Soviets counterattack at 07:00, but he manages to bring up 2 Bofors antitank guns. The guns destroy 7 Soviet tanks, which further block the road. The Finns are prepared and have brought tents and ways to heat their food, whereas the Soviets are sitting in steel tanks without fuel to keep warm - or out in the open.

Winter War Army Operations: The Finns attempt to encircle the Soviet 122nd Division of the 9th Army at Sallaa, where they have been pushing back the Soviets for weeks. Success here and nearby has greatly relieved pressure on the vital railway line from the port of Oulu to Nurmes/Joensuu.

Winter War Naval Operations: Soviet submarine S-2 hits a mine and sinks.

The Soviets conduct minelaying operations in the far north off Petsamo.

European Air Operations: Three RAF bombers are attacked by a dozen Luftwaffe fighters near the German coast. Losses are about equal, two RAF planes lost and 1-3 Luftwaffe fighters.

Luftwaffe reconnaissance over the Shetland Islands.

US Government: The State Department issues a press release stating that it issued a "vigorous protest" on 27 December 1939 to the British regarding their seizure of US mail:

It cannot admit the right of the British authorities to interfere with American mails on American or other neutral ships on the high seas nor can it admit the right of the British Government to censor mail on ships which have involuntarily entered British ports. . . .

Charles Edison becomes the US Secretary of the Navy.

German Homefront: The Danube freezes over and stops barge imports.

British Homefront: A survey shows that 20% of respondents have had some sort of accident due to the blackout. Road deaths since the beginning of the blackout top 2000, some 1700 above average for peacetime. The government suggests Cod liver oil as a source of Vitamin A.

Czechoslovakia: There is a new wave of arrests, predominantly journalists and former members of the Czech army.

China: The Chinese 4th War Area captures Wongyuan, while the Chinese 1st War Area ceases offensive operations and begins withdrawing.

American Homefront: At the Rose Bowl, Georgia Tech upsets Missouri, 21-7.

Judy Garland on the cover of Look picture magazine, 2 January 1940. "Oopsie, I fell!"

January 1940

Sunday, May 8, 2016

December 31, 1939: Planning More Soviet Destruction

Sunday 31 December 1939

31 December 1939 worldwartwo.filminspector.com Soviet bombing

Twenty-eight Russian planes flew over Jyväskylä and several residential buildings, the railway station and the plywood factory got hit. Air raid shelters were bombed causing 20 civilian deaths along with 25 civilians injured. Altogether 149 buildings were damaged. It was the second raid in two days. 31 December 1939.

Battle of the Atlantic: On 31 December 1939, it is time for some summing up.

For all of 1939, the totals are:

Allied/Neutral ships lost: 225 ships, 767,358 tons
U-boats lost: 9

For December 1939:

72 Allied ships 190,768 tons
U-boats lost: 1

U-32 (Kapitänleutnant Paul Büchel) sinks the 959-ton British freighter Luna at 09:47 in the North Sea. The crew survives and is taken to Kopervik, Norway.

British freighter Box Hill hits a mine and sinks.

The German freighter Tacoma complies with the order of the Uruguayan government and moves its anchorage outside of Uruguayan waters.

The British release the US freighter Excalibur from detention at Gibraltar.

Winter War Army Operations: With Suomussalmi cleared, General Siilsavuo has his men scout out the Raate road from the parallel ice road he has had them build on Lake Voukki. They find that Soviet 44th Rifle Division is stationary and now stretches over 39 km back to the Soviet border. Captain Mäkinen of Group Kontula is blocking the road at the western end with just two machine companies, which the Soviets must believe is a far greater force because they have more than enough firepower to level the Finns there, including artillery. The Soviet armor is bunched up in front of this blockade but is immobile.

The commander of the Soviet 44th Rifle Divison, Kombrig Vinogradov, and his commissar Parhomenko both advance to the regimental headquarters (still on Soviet territory) from their position far behind the lines.

Winter War Air Operations: The Soviets once again bomb Viipuri, Helsinki and about ten other Finnish cities.

League of Nations: The British and French inform the League that they will be providing as much assistance to the Finns as they can. Many British volunteers have been sailing to Finland.

British Homefront: Also time for summing up.

For the war months September - December 1939:

Road Deaths: 4,130
Military Deaths (all causes): 2,511

The blackout has been murder on the highways. In addition, 15,626 people have registered as conscientious objectors.

In some rare acts of defiance, New Year's celebrants shine torches despite the blackout.

Canada: The second convoy of Canadian troops arrives at a west coast port.

German Homefront: Adolf Hitler gives a New Year's Proclamation, stating the British are "war-mongers and war-declarers" and that Germany's primary war aim is the defeat of "British tyranny.":

"We shall only talk of peace when we have won the war. The Jewish-capitalistic world will not survive the twentieth century."

He also talks about "the existence or non-existence of the German people," which strikes a somewhat equivocal tone that he has maintained since the beginning of the war.

Turkey: The death toll from the earthquake and other trauma keeps rising, this time to 30,000 people.

China: In the Chinese Winter Offensive, the Chinese East Route Force continues routing the Japanese 5th Infantry Division: it captures Kunlunkuan and Tienyin.

The River North Army of the Chinese 5th War Area retreats across the Han River.

The Japanese 21st Army advances to Yingteh against the Chinese 4th War Area.

The Chinese 2d War Area takes possession of Peishe.

Times Square, New Year's Eve 1939. "Gone With The Wind" is still the top film out and will be for some time.

December 1939

December 1, 1939: Finland Fights for its Life
December 2, 1939: First RAF Bombs on Germany
December 3, 1939: Soviets Still Advancing in Finland
December 4, 1939: Molotov to Roosevelt - Mind Your Own Business
December 5, 1939: Prien Returns
December 6, 1939: Attacks on Mannerheim Line
December 7, 1939: Kollaa Holds!
December 8, 1939: Polish Pilots Return
December 9, 1939: First British BEF Fatality
December 10, 1939: The Soviets Capture Salla in Finland
December 11, 1939: Finns Make Their Move
December 12, 1939: Finnish Success in the Winter War
December 13, 1939: Battle of River Platte

December 14, 1939: Quisling Meets Hitler
December 15, 1939: Chinese Winter Offensive in High Gear
December 16, 1939: Battle of Summa
December 17, 1939: End of Admiral Graf Spee
December 18, 1939: Battle of Heligoland Bight
December 19, 1939: British Disarm Magnetic Mines
December 20, 1939: Finnish Counterattacks Continue
December 21, 1939: Finns Plan More Counterattacks
December 22, 1939: Enter Chuikov
December 23, 1939: Failed Finnish Counterattack
December 24, 1939: Soviets on the Run
December 25, 1939: Fresh Soviet Attacks
December 26, 1939: Vicious Battles at Kelja
December 27, 1939: Grinding Finnish Victories
December 28, 1939: Liberators
December 29, 1939: Finns Tighten the Noose
December 30, 1939: Finnish Booty
December 31, 1939: Planning More Soviet Destruction

January 1940

Saturday, May 7, 2016

December 30, 1939: Finnish Booty

Saturday 30 December 1939

30 December 1939 worldwartwo.filminspector.com Soviet dead Suomussalmi

Dead Soviet soldiers in Suomussalmi after the battle - abandoned by their comrades. Their dark uniforms still stand out in the snow.

Winter War: General Stern has been brought west from the Soviet Far Eastern Army on 30 December 1939 to direct operations north of Lake Ladoga.

Winter War Army Operations: The Finnish 9th Division has been pursuing the fleeing Soviets from Suomussalmi. A platoon under Captain Kuistio embarks in two trucks and manages to catch the tail end of the 4 kilometer-long Soviet column at the northern end of Lake Kiantajärvi. There is nowhere to hide on the ice, and Kuistio and his men kill another 500 Soviet men using 4 machine guns, 1 twin antiaircraft- machine gun and various submachine guns. In addition, the Finnish air force (Bristol Blenheim Mk 1 bombers) and Finnish artillery blast away at the fleeing Soviets, killing some outright and sending others through holes in the ice. Total losses for the Soviet 163rd Rifle Division are estimated at 15,000, versus 420 Finnish dead or missing along with 600 wounded.

The total war booty from Suomussalmi brought back to headquarters is staggering for the poorly armed Finns:

625 Rifles,
33 LMG's,
19 MG's,
2 AntiAircraft-MG's (four barrels),
12 AntiTank-guns,
27 Field and AntiAircraft-guns,
26 Tanks,
2 Armored cars,
350Horses,
181 Trucks,
11 Tractors,
26 Field kitchens,
800,000 rounds of 7.62 mm rifle ammo,
9,000 artillery shells,
a field hospital, and
a bakery.

In addition, the local Finnish troops get their fill of rifles ammunition and machine guns which they can put to immediate use without headquarters ever knowing about it.

The Soviet 44th Rifle Division on the Raate road is still intact, but their standard Red Army 1902 model Moisin-Nagant 7.62 mm rifles are freezing in the extreme cold (gun-oil can freeze). In addition, most of their vehicle engines have seized because there is not enough fuel to keep them running through the frigid days and nights. This means the men and their animals are stuck - and with few ways to warm up. Thus, the Soviets are immobile and freezing. If they can be defeated, there will plenty of more booty to be had.

Winter War Air Operations: Soviet bombers attack Hango and drop about 60 bombs.

Winter War Naval Operations: Soviet battleship Oktyabrskaya Revolutsiya and destroyers bombard Finnish shore batteries at Saarenpaa.

Battle of the Atlantic: In a distant echo of the Admiral Graf Spee drama, the Uruguayan government gives the German freighter Tacoma 24 hours to leave Montevideo. It believes the freighter was assisting the German pocket battleship (including embarking her crew after she was scuttled) and thus is a military vessel.

Convoy OA 63 GF departs from Southend, and Convoy OB 63 departs from Liverpool.

Indochina: In Hanoi, Chinese leader Chingwei signs an agreement with the Japanese. Chingwei is a former foreign minister of the Kuomintang who has left China because he lost a power battle with Chiang Kai-shek. Chingwei is convinced that the Nationalist Chinese cannot beat the Japanese, and thus he is agreeing to set up a rival Nationalist government under Japanese overlordship. He hopes to have the undisputed rule over China as a Japanese satrap after the Japanese win the war.

China: The Nationalist Chinese Air Force, which Claire Chennault has been working on, sends 40 fighters into the air over Liuchow. They encounter 13 Japanese Type 96 fighters. The Chinese apparently need more practice, because they lose 14 planes to none by the Japanese.

In the continuing Battle of South Kwangsi, the Japanese 5th Infantry Division escapes from Kunlunkuan during the night.

Japanese 21st Army captures Wongyuan in the Chinese 4th War Area.

The Finns were prepared for the cold... and for hand-to-hand combat.

December 1939

December 24, 1939: Soviets on the Run

Thursday 24 December 1939

24 December 1939 worldwartwo.filminspector.com Finnish ski troops

Winter War Army Operations: International aid to the Finns continues. Volunteers from virtually other European nations have been pouring in. Today, 24 December 1939, 50 Finnish-American volunteers arrive at the port of Oulu to serve in the military.

The campaign now has been in progress for 24 days, twice the amount of time expected in the Soviets' overly optimistic plans.

The remnants of Soviet 75th and 139th Divisions have been on the run in the Tolmojaervi and Aglajaervi (Ägläjärvi) districts. Group Talvela is pursuing them and enter into Soviet territory, though only briefly.

At Suomussalmi, the trapped Soviet 163rd Division tries to break out east down the Ratte road but makes no progress against the Finnish 9th Division. Soviet 44th Division, trapped further down the road, does not have enough strength to help them. The winter is working its magic on the Soviet troops and their vehicles, robbing them of strength and initiative. Part of the problem is that the Soviet 44th Division has plenty of skis, but no ski troops. The Finns can maneuver through the woods on skis and attack the Soviets all along the road.

Soviet troops further north are being pushed back to Salla from the Kemijoki River by the Finnish troops under the command of Major General Kurt Martti Wallenius.

European Air Operations: The RAF sends 17 planes to attack German shipping but has no success.

Battle of the Atlantic: The fire on the Admiral Graf Spee finally burns out.

Convoy OB 59 departs from Liverpool and HG 12 from Gibraltar.

German/Soviet Relations: The two nations sign an agreement restoring rail links between their occupied areas.

German Government: Hitler is still inspecting the Siegfried Line.

Vatican: Pope Pius XII makes an appeal for peace on Christmas Eve before 25 Cardinals. He denounces aggression and the right of small countries to exist. He says that there have been "acts which cry for the vengeance of God." The Pope also offers a 5-point program to achieve "a just and honorable peace."

China: While elements of the Chinese forces remain on the offensive, the Japanese counterattacks are increasing. Japanese 21st Army Yinchanao and Pachiangkou north of Canton, while the Japanese 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade helps out the Japanese at Paotou and sends the Chinese 8th War Area on to the defensive. The Chinese West Route Force is attacking the Japanese 5th Infantry Division near Lungchow but is making slow progress.

Holocaust: German troops accompanied by Polish policemen encircle the synagogue in Siedlce, remove the two Torah scrolls, and set the synagogue on fire. They also burn the scrolls separately. The fire spreads to nearby Jewish offices. The Polish police prepare a report blaming the fire on the Jews. The Germans then prepare to deport many of the Jews of Lublin to labor camps.

The synagogue in Siedlce burning on 24 December 1939.

December 1939

Friday, May 6, 2016

December 23, 1939: Failed Finnish Counterattack

Saturday December 23 1939

Molotov cocktail.

Winter War: Today, 23 December 1939, is the Finnish Army's first attempt at a strategic offensive. It was pitched to Marshall Mannerheim only two days ago by General Öhqvist, who is in charge of the Karelian Isthmus. It is the first planned, set-piece offensive by the Finns.

Winter War Army Operations: At 06:30, four Finnish Divisions launch a major counterattack on the western side of the Karelian Isthmus in front of Viipuri. It is the most sensitive spot on the entire front, and both sides have their top firepower there.

The Soviets may not be very good on the offensive recently, but they show that tanks are excellent defensive weapons. After gaining no ground, General Öhqvist abruptly calls off the operation at 14:40. There are roughly 1300 deaths on both sides, which, for the Finns, is a disaster.

At Suomussalmi, the 9th Division launches an attack on the struggling 44th Division which is strung out on the Ratte road. The column had been moving ahead slowly, but with only two machine companies, Captain Mäkinen of the 9th Army forces the entire column, led by the 25th Rifle Regiment, to halt and dig in. It is like a gigantic traffic jam with all lanes blocked.

Winter War Air Operations: The Soviets bomb Helsinki again, but this time with leaflets which contained a message from the Soviet's puppet Finnish government.

Battle of the Atlantic: British repair ship Dolphin hits a mine and sinks off Blyth, Scotland. Everyone survives.

Minesweeping trawlers HMS Glen Albyn and HMS Promotive hit mines and sink in Loch Ewe, Scotland.

The British release US freighters Explorer and Oakwood from detention at Gibraltar.

German Government: Hitler tours the West Wall.

Ireland: The IRA steals 1.1 million rounds of small arms ammunition from the Irish Army's depot at Phoenix Park.

Romania: The government makes inquires to the Italian government for support against Soviet aggression.

League of Nations: The League is busy rounding up support for the Finns, one of the more effective things it has ever done.

United States/Latin American Relations: The US and 20 other nations in the Americas make a statement reaffirming their coastal water neutrality from belligerent actors inside the "security zone" at the River Platte. This message appears directed at the British.

China: The Japanese are launching counterattacks in most places:

Japanese landings on the Yangtze River in Third War Area;
Japanese 21st Army captures Tsotanhsu and Lungmen from Chinese 4th War Area;
Chinese 5th War Area retreats across the Han River;

Chinese 8th War Area is still on the attack outside Patou. In addition, the Chinese are attacking the Japanese 5th Infantry Division around Kunlunkuan.

A Finnish modified Maxin 1910 machine gun used in an antiaircraft role.

December 1939

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

December 15, 1939: Chinese Winter Offensive in High Gear

Friday 15 December 1939

15 November 1939 worldwartwo.filminspector.com Australian 6th Division

Women wave farewell to members of the 6th Division AIF aboard troop transport ship Strathallan, December 15, 1939.

Winter War Army Operations: The Finns on 15 December 1939 have been launching attacks on Suomussalmi that the Soviets in the town have been deflecting. Today, after days of waiting, the Finns on the Ratte road are attacked from the east. Units of the Soviet 44th Rifle Division reach Battle Group Kontula, which is barricading the road. Stretched out over the road, the Soviets attempt a company-sized assault which the Finns easily brush off.

The leader of the 163rd Rifle Division in Suomussalmi knows the danger and repeatedly requests permission to withdraw. He is told to await the 44th Rifle Division. Ninth Army (KomKor M.P. Duhanov) fails to coordinate assaults from the village and the relief force. With this failed attempt, the relief attack, in fact, ends for the time being. The 44th Division itself, confined to the road, now presents a tempting target for the Finns.

At Taipale, the Soviet attacks are failing. In the far north, the Finns withdraw from Salmijaervi near the coast and blow up the nickel mines. They can easily travel off-road, the Soviets not so much.

Western Front: British 5th Division of the BEF is formed from three infantry brigades and deployed south of Lille. The British are not shielded by the Maginot Line but are constructing some of their own fortifications. The German and British lines are far apart except at Metz.

Battle of the Atlantic: Captain Langsdorff of the Admiral Graf Spee spends part of the day going to funerals for 36 of his men and ponders what to do with his ship and men. The released British sailors attend the funeral of their own volition and lay wreaths.

Langsdorff is told that he must leave within 72 hours. His men are repairing what battle damage they can, but the ship requires much more time. The British spread rumors by various means, including phony radio transmissions, suggesting that the British forces awaiting the Admiral Graf Spee are larger than they actually are. The British also play games with departures of British merchant ships, sending them out at intervals - the Admiral Graf Spee must give departing ships 24 hours head start, and the British want more time to assemble a fleet outside the Platte River estuary.

Light cruiser HMS Ajax is refueled while the heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland minds the store.

U-48 (Kapitänleutnant Herbert Schultze) torpedoes and sinks the Greek freighter, Germaine, south of Ireland. Kpt. Schultze disembarks the ship before sinking it, so all of the crew survives.

US destroyers continue shadowing the German liner Columbus, which is near Key West, Florida. Two of the destroyers head off after the German freighter Arauca, which left Vera Cruz shortly before the Columbus.

The British release US freighter Exmoor from detention at Gibraltar.

15 November 1939 worldwartwo.filminspector.com Columbus liner

German liner Columbus (Ang, Federal Archive).

British Government: Prime Minister Chamberlain visits the BEF in France with General Ismay.

Peace Talks: The Foreign Minister broadcasts an appeal to the Soviet Union to reopen negotiations, saying, "the Finns will never submit to a foreign yoke." The appeal is ignored.

China: The Chinese Winter Offensive shifts into high gear:

Chinese 1st War Area captures Lowang railway station;
Chinese 6th War Area (southern Hupei and western Hunan), assisting 9th War Area, unsuccessfully attacks Yuehyang and railroad station at Kaochiao approximately this date, but plays no other role in the winter offensive
Chinese 8th War Area (Kansu, Ninghsia, Tsinghai, and Suiyuan) commences operations with 35th Army and 81st Army capturing Anpei approximately this date
19th Army Group of Chinese 9th War Area attacking Hsintanpu, Tongyang, and Nanliqiao
Chinese East Hupei guerrilla forces begin nuisance raids

The Japanese throw in some counterattacks where possible:

Japanese counterattacks against Chinese 2nd War Area
Japanese counterattack Southern Honan Army of Chinese 5th War Area and recapture Yangliuho
Japanese counterattack Left Flank Army of Chinese 5th War Area around Chihchengshan, forcing the Chinese to withdraw to Chikutien and Sanchingkuan
Elements of Japanese 33rd Infantry Division and 40th Infantry Division attack Chinese 9th War Area around Shihmen and Shihpihu

Overall, the Japanese are withstanding the Chinese Winter Offense and throwing in some solid counter-punches.

American Homefront: Nylon yarn begins to be manufactured. "Gone With the Wind" premieres in Atlanta. Eurith D. Rivers, the governor of Georgia, declares December 15 a state holiday.

15 November 1939 worldwartwo.filminspector.com Gone With The Wind

Atlanta premiere of "Gone With the Wind" on 15 December 1939.

World War Two Daily

Pages

Monday, May 9, 2016

January 8, 1940: Ratte Road Battle Ends

Monday 8 January 1940

January 1940

January 7, 1940: Shakeup in Soviet High Command

Sunday 7 January 1940

January 1940

January 6, 1940: Soviet 44th Division Runs

Saturday 6 January 1940

January 1940

January 2, 1940: Finnish Counterattacks Continue

Tuesday 2 January 1940

January 1940

Sunday, May 8, 2016

December 31, 1939: Planning More Soviet Destruction

Sunday 31 December 1939

December 1939

January 1940

Saturday, May 7, 2016

December 30, 1939: Finnish Booty

Saturday 30 December 1939

December 1939

December 24, 1939: Soviets on the Run

Thursday 24 December 1939

December 1939

Friday, May 6, 2016

December 23, 1939: Failed Finnish Counterattack

Saturday December 23 1939

December 1939

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

December 15, 1939: Chinese Winter Offensive in High Gear

Friday 15 December 1939

December 1939