[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]

[autumnraine]

In case I haven’t told you lately, I appreciate your postings. Just a silent lurker on them.

[CougarGA7]

Day 8 of the Winter War, December 7, 1939

Lieutenant-Colonel Pajari takes command of the Finnish forces in the Tolvajärvi area.
Photo: SA-KUVA

Finnish troops repulse first Soviet offensive at Kollaa

• Taipale: by evening Finnish troops have beaten back the first Russian offensive.

• Ladoga Karelia: during the night Soviet troops achieve combat contact with the Finnish positions on the River Kollaanjoki.

• Ilomantsi: Finnish troops in the Ilomantsi sector fall back to Möhkö and overnight to Kallioniemi ferry. They begin a defensive action.

• Northern Finland: Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim reinforces the troops around Suomussalmi with sections of the 9th Division commanded by Colonel Siilasvuo.

• Soviet troops take the parish village at Suomussalmi.

• Ladoga Karelia: Finnish troops at Kollaa beat back the first Soviet offensive.

• Lieutenant-Colonel Pajari takes command of the Finnish forces in the Tolvajärvi area.Finnish troops launch active countermeasures.

• Northern Finland: the Russian 122nd Division launches its main offensive against Finnish positions on the Kairala parallel.The defending Finnish battalion cannot hold. The detachment pulls back to the parish village at Salla.

• The three largest American radio networks have sent their own correspondents to Helsinki.One is the journalist Warren Irving, who is sending a radio commentary from Helsinki to the USA.