[Homer_J_Simpson]

British Rebuffed – 2-5
The International Situation – 3
Battle Witnesses Laud British Skill – 6-7
62 Killed in Blast at Rumanian Plant – 7
Reds Stone Police in Belgrade Riot – 7
Nazis Push Again East of the Saar – 8
British Bombers and Messerschmidts Fight; Both Sides Lose Planes in Helgoland Battle – 9
German Fleet Is Near Jutland Battle Scene – 9
Finland Counters – 10-11
Geneva Unanimous – 12-14
Incidents in European Conflict – 13
British Sea Might Centering on Spee – 15
Americans to Scan Data on Sea Fight – 16
Berlin and London Broadcasts Give Versions of the Sea Battle – 17-18
Firmer Action Urged Against French Reds – 18
62 Britons Freed Tell of Sea Battle – 19-20
King’s Birthday Party Includes a Movie Show – 20
The Bill of Rights (Editorials) * – 21-22

*From “Battle Off Uruguay,” the final editorial.

The pocket battleships mount six eleven-inch guns, but in only two turrets, which means that only two of the British ships could be kept under fire from the Spee’s main battery simultaneously. To punish her third attacker the Spee must have been forced to shift fire frequently from one ship to another – a process which is distracting to accurate and rapid gunnery, and which, of course, reduced the weight of fire to which each British ship was subjected.

Now that’s informative! (To me, anyhow.)

[abb]

http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1939/dec39/f15dec39.htm

Graf Spee given 72 hours respite
Friday, December 15, 1939 www.onwar.com

In Argentina... In Montevideo, the German pocket battleship Graf Spee has been ordered to leave port with 72 hours. The crew is repairing damage to the warship and fuel has been taken in from a German tanker.

In the Winter War... The Finns conclude a series of attacks on the Soviet 8th Army. The 139th Division at Tolvajarvi is virtually destroyed and the 75th Division is also hard hit. The Finns also capture much valuable equipment. The Battle of Soumussalmi begins.

From Helsinki... The Finnish Foreign Minister broadcasts an offer to reopen negotiations to the Soviet Foreign Minister. He says that any design to annex Finland will be resisted to the last: “the Finns will never submit to a foreign yoke.”

On the Western Front... Three British infantry brigades sent to France in October are formed into the British 5th Division, BEF. This division is deployed south of Lille along a fortified line which is being extended and strengthened. The British Expeditionary Force is only in direct contact with German forces around Metz. Prime Minister Chamberlain visits the BEF.

[agere_contra]

Great post!

I never realized the importance of the smoke screens in the Graf Spee attack.

[BroJoeK]

"The Bill of Rights (Editorials) * – 21-22"

Excellent editorial, especially considering the source.
One cannot imagine such an editorial from the New York Times today.

In today's world, liberals like the NY Times replace the Bill of Rights with their version of Franklin Roosevelt's Four Freedoms -- speech, religion, want & fear, including: < sarc >

1. Congress shall make no law restricting the NY Times right to aid and abet declared enemies of the United States.
2. An out-of-control government being essential to the liberal agenda, Congress shall make no laws restricting use of force against patriotic Americans.
3. No US soldier shall be freed from prosecution for following lawful orders.
4. The right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects shall not be violated over such trivial matters as their payments of lawful obligations (i.e., mortgage or rent), unless of course it suits the purposes of NY Times agenda makers.
5. No private property shall be taken for public use, without just compensation, unless the Democrats are in charge and believe it to be "a neat idea."
6. In all criminal prosecutions (except of Republicans, of course), the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury selected for their ideological committments to liberal causes.
7. In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by New York Times reporters shall be preserved, and no fact reported by the NY Times, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, period.
8. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted, except on Republicans, obviously.
9. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the New York Times.
10. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the New York Times respectively, or to the Liberal Democrats.
11. Finally, every Democrat shall enjoy the inalienable right to whatever they want at Government expense, to be paid for by Republicans.

</sarc> (I think... I hope!)

;-O)