RUSSIANS BLOCKADE FINLAND; BALKED AT MANNERHEIM LINE (12/8/39)

Microfiche-New York Times archives, McHenry Library, U.C. Santa Cruz | 12/8/39 | G.E.R. Gedye

[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]

During the first months of the war Admiral Raeder – or so he testified at Nuremberg – had no contact with [Alfred] Rosenberg [“official philosopher of the Nazi movement”], whom he scarcely knew, and none with Quisling, of whom he had never heard. But immediately after the Russian attack on Finland Raeder began to get reports from his naval attaché at Oslo, Captain Richard Schreiber, of imminent Allied landings in Norway. He mentioned these to Hitler on December 8 and advised him flatly, “It is important to occupy Norway.”

William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Soviet Encircling – 2-3
The International Situation – 3
Social Security to Pay $5,700,000 Here in 1940 – 3
FBI Acts in Slaying of Nazi Aide Here; Spy Angle Traced – 4-5
Incidents in European Conflict – 5
Finns Open Drive On Foe in Karelia – 6-8

[samtheman]

Thanks for posting this stuff. It's very interesting.

The move suggests once more the unexpected lack of adroitness in the Soviet Government's handling of the whole Finnish affair in comparison with the Russian skill shown in dealing with the three Baltic States...

Pardon my lack of knowledge of this era but what are the writers referring to when they speak of "Russian skill shown in dealing with the three Baltic States"?

And is it possible that they are terming the blockade and invasion of a sovereign state an "unexpected lack of adroitness"?

[mainepatsfan]

It was a bit tougher for the Red Army to conquer a foe in 1939 without the Wehrmacht advancing from the other direction.

[blackminorca]

How did the left possibly think this was good?

How did they continue their support of the commies?

This is mind boggling.

[abb]

http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1939/dec39/f08dec39.htm

Hitler considers options in Norway
Friday, December 8, 1939 www.onwar.com

In Berlin... Admiral Raeder again talks to Hitler of invading Norway. Rosenberg, the Nazi Party’s political and racial expert also introduces the head of the tiny Norwegian National Unity Party to Hitler. His name is Vidkung Quisling (see January 27th, 1940).

In the Winter War... The Finnish defense brings the attacks of the Soviet 9th Army, near Kuhmo, to a halt.

In Rome... The Fascist Grand Council confirms the Axis alliance, but votes to remain out of the conflict.

In London... It is decided that Polish squadrons are to be attached to the RAF.

In Washington... The American government protests the British blockade of Germany, stating: “Whatever may be said for or against measures directed by one belligerent against another, they many not rightfully be carried to the point of enlarging the rights of a belligerent over neutral vessels and their cargoes, or otherwise penalizing neutral states or their nationals in connection with their legitimate activities.”

[mainepatsfan]

Whatever the party line was they went along with it unquestionably.

[CougarGA7]

In the days immediately following the partition of Poland the Soviets exerted their influence on the Baltic states which consisted of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. In doing so they acquired base rights in the countries and basically made them puppets to the Soviets. Throughout the war the Baltic states would be victims of the two larger waring states. First they were occupied by the Soviets then the Germans rolled in only to cede them back to the Soviet Union who absorbed them into their post WWII nation until the crumbling Soviet Union recognized their independence in 1991.

[CougarGA7]

Day 9 of the Winter War, December 8, 1939

Finnish troops successfully repulse an attempted Russian breakthrough launched at 7.20 at Haukiperä in Suomussalmi.
Photo: SA-KUVA

Russians overrun Salla village

• Southern Isthmus: the advance guard of the Finnish 4th Division, which has been fighting in the southern Isthmus, pulls back during the night behind the main defensive position.The Russians regroup to break through the Finnish lines.

• Northern Finland: the Finns are caught completely off guard by the Red Army's offensive through the wilderness between Lake Ladoga and the Arctic Ocean with as many divisions as it deployed on the Karelian Isthmus.Finnish troops successfully repulse an attempted Russian breakthrough launched at 7.20 at Haukiperä in Suomussalmi.The Finns then take the initiative.

• Eastern Isthmus: the Soviet artillery at Taipale launches a week-long barrage in an attempt to destroy the Finnish positions.

• Ladoga Karelia: Soviet troops overcome the Finns at Tolvajärvi and almost capture Tolvajärvi village and the vital crossroads.During the night, Lieutenant-Colonel Pajari turns the tables with a decisive flanking attack on an encamped Russian battalion.

• The Soviet force attacking Finland is placed under the direct command of the General Staff of the Red Army.

• Commander of the Army, 2nd Class K.A. Meretskov is placed in command of the Soviet 7th Army on the Isthmus.

• Northern Finland: the Russians enter the parish village at Salla.

• Sweden: the Finnish Consulate in Gothenburg announces that 493 Swedish families have so far offered to take in Finnish refugees.

• Finland is reintroducing the Cross of Liberty previously used during the War of Independence in 1918.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I guess Stalin’s skill was showcased by the way he finessed the Balts into going along with the program. He made them offers they couldn’t refuse.

[CougarGA7]

He made them offers they couldn’t refuse.

Yeah. Something about Soviet planes flying over your capital that just makes you want to take their "offer" seriously.

[BroJoeK]

"In Washington... The American government protests the British blockade of Germany, stating: “Whatever may be said for or against measures directed by one belligerent against another, they many not rightfully be carried to the point of enlarging the rights of a belligerent over neutral vessels and their cargoes, or otherwise penalizing neutral states or their nationals in connection with their legitimate activities.".. "

abb, this is extraordinary -- I didn't know how serious, if that's the right word, Roosevelt was in 1939 about remaining, or at least appearing to remain, neutral. Or is this just the US State Department doing its own "thang"?

Do you know if there was something real behind these words, or was it more-or-less just for show?

[abb]

http://www.indiana.edu/~league/1939.htm

December 1, 1939
British Warning to Neutral Shipping

The British government advised neutral shippers to obtain a “navicert,” a certificate from British consular officials. These certificates permitted neutral cargo ships to pass through Royal Navy and allied patrols. The Italian, Dutch, Belgian, and Japanese governments issued formal protests against the British government for these blockade measures.

December 8, 1939
U.S. Protest of British Cargo Seizure

The Roosevelt administration sent a diplomatic note protesting the British policy of seizing German goods on neutral (especially, U.S.) ships. A similar policy in World War I led to tensions between the British and American governments.

[abb]

http://www.indiana.edu/~league/1939.htm

December 14, 1939
U.S. Challenge to the British Blockade

The U.S. government challenged the Royal Navy blockade plan whereby neutral ships were diverted to British and French control bases for inspection for contraband. This practice violated the “freedom of the seas,” an important theme in U.S. foreign policy since the early 19th century.

December 27, 1939
U.S. Protest of British Mail Censorship

The Roosevelt administration protested the British government’s censorship of neutral mail while searching for contraband. The Wilson administration, in World War I, protested the same British practice.

[GeronL]

I’ve been gone a while. Trying to cach up a bit. Did you miss that headline about “pump priming” being a failure... thats stimulus spending baby!