[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]

[Snickersnee]

Stalin waged one of the worst-planned and -directed campaigns in modern times against Finland. He had just killed most of his experienced military commanders and staffs in purges, and sent the Red Army against the Finns completely underequipped and badly supplied. Krushchev, who I think was the chief political officer for this effort, admitted twenty years later that the Finland war had cost the USSR one million men. One million!

[CougarGA7]

Day 10 of the Winter War, December 9, 1939

Ladoga Karelia: the 13th Division takes up defensive positions between Lake Ladoga and Varpajärvi.
Photo: SA-KUVAL>

Finnish American volunteers set sail for Finland

• Karelian Isthmus: troops from the covering force reorganized to form the 1st Division under the command of Major-General Laatikainen are to assume responsibility for the eastern section of the front in the 5th Division's defence sector on the Karelian Isthmus.

• Ladoga Karelia: the 13th Division takes up defensive positions between Lake Ladoga and Varpajärvi.

• Northern Finland: Colonel Siilasvuo's first transport arrives at Hyrynsalmi a day late. Further north, Soviet troops finally take the parish village at Salla.

• All Soviet troops on the Finnish front are placed under the direct command of the General Staff of the Red Army.

• New York: the first detachment of Finnish American volunteers - around one hundred officers, pilots and mechanics - board ship bound for Finland.