RUSSIA REFUSES PEACE, SPURNS LEAGUE (12/5/39)

Microfiche-New York Times archives, McHenry Library, U.C. Santa Cruz | 12/5/39 | G.E.R. Gedye, Robert P. Post, Harold Denny, Sir Philip Gibbs

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime”.)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Finns’ Bid Rejected – 2-3
The International Situation – 3
Texts on League Session – 4
Incidents in European Conflict – 6
Attack on Helgoland Failed, Say Germans – 6
Russians Halted – 7-9
Unit Formed to Send Kits to Maginot Line – 9
Sheer Sank Ship, London Believes – 10-11
Merchant Ships Sunk I War – 12
King George on Visit to Troops in France; Crosses on Bridge of British Destroyer – 13

[abb]

Soviets reach Mannerheim Line
Tuesday, December 5, 1939 www.onwar.com

In the Winter War... Forward units of the Soviet 7th Army reach the main Finnish defenses, the Mannerheim Line, on the Karelian Isthmus where it is garrisoned by the Finnish 2nd Corps. Marshal Mannerheim is the Finnish Commander in Chief. Already the Finns are learning to exploit poor management of the Soviet advance. They are developing tactics to master the Soviet tanks by separating them from their supporting infantry and emerging from concealed positions during the night to destroy them in close combat. Finnish Blenheim bombers raid the Soviet airbase at Murmansk.

In Moscow... The Soviet government rejects a League of Nations proposal to end the war with Finland. USSR claims that it is no longer at war, having concluded a peace with the Finnish Democratic Republic, which it claims requested intervention on December 1st.

In London... Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, tells the House of Commons that Germany has descended to “the lowest form of warfare that can be imagined.” He says that the Germans first abandoned the gun for the torpedo and had now dropped that for the mine.

[beebuster2000]

did you notice that finnish champion clay and trap shooters were manning antiaircraft guns?

who amongst us that have shot sporting clays havent wished at one time to use an anti aircraft gun?

good choice for gunners who have to judge a lead on a target, no?

[beebuster2000]

you have to be rooting for the finns. i mean putting up a heck of a fight.

[henkster]

The Finns were extremely brave, tough and resourceful fighters. Using the clay pigeon shooters on AA guns is one example. Using white-camoflaged ski troops in hit and run attacks out of the forest against road-bound Soviet columns was another. The Finnish air force was claiming victories against the Soviets, but do you know what the Finns were flying? American Brewster Buffalo fighters; the same planes the Japanese shredded at Midway.

What is really interesting is the myth that the Russians were such good winter warriors. In the Finnish war, the Finns were claiming that the Russians were actually not prepared or equipped for the weather, which was true. From Homer’s map, you see the 44th Soviet Rifle division engaged at Suomussalmi. The 44th Rifle was an outfit brought from Ukraine, where the winter is mild compared to Finnish standards. Based on tables of organization and equipment, in a stand up fight the 44th should have been able to use superior firepower to sweep away the lightly armed Finns. But the 44th was not trained or equipped to fight in the frigid northern forest. Using the hit and run Sissi and Motti tactics, the Finns cut this division to pieces and only a few frightened survivors made it back to Soviet territory. The commander of the 44th was of course executed for just not being a proper example of “New Soviet Man.”

[beebuster2000]

interesting. thanks

[tcrlaf]

To add insult to injury, the 44th MOTORIZED Rifle Division was fully-modernized, as well.

[CougarGA7]

I was traveling today so I'm a bit late, but here's today's Winter War update.

Day 6 of the Winter War, December 5, 1939

Official sources say 80 enemy tanks have so far been destroyed or put out of action.
Photo: SA-KUVA

The Finnish Broadcasting Company urges its listeners to be on their guard against Russian propaganda

• Parliament assembles for the first time in Kauhajoki.

• Karelian Isthmus: the covering force on the Isthmus launches its final counterattack at Perkjärvi, ending in a Finnish withdrawal behind the main defensive position.In places the withdrawal shows signs of panic.

• Ladoga Karelia: Finnish troops disengage from Ägläjärvi.

• Official sources say 80 enemy tanks have so far been destroyed or put out of action.

• General Headquarters sets up a central office of censorship and a number of local offices to supervise war censorship.

• The Finnish Broadcasting Company urges its listeners to be on their guard against Russian propaganda, and indicates it will use as many familiar announcers as possible in its own broadcasts.

• Abroad: Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Paraguay have today protested over the Soviet Union's attack on Finland.

[CougarGA7]

Whereas in the last installment we had a picture of a T-26 Model 1931 with a duel turret for two machine guns this is the next revision of the T-26 in this picture known as the T-26 Model 1933. The duel turret has been replaced with a single turret holding a 45mm cannon. The first versions of the model 1933 actually had a 37mm cannon but since most of them had the 45mm and this picture is a bit too small to really tell a difference of 1.2cm I'm assuming its the 45.

Here's a better picture of the model 1933.