http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/month/thismonth/22.htm
December 22nd, 1939
UNITED KINGDOM: The government states that it has seized 870,000 tons of goods destined for Germany since the war began.
Minesweeping trawler HMS Dromio sunk in collision off Whitby. (Dave Shirlaw)
NORWAY: Norway’s Defence Minister, Christian Frederik Monson is replaced by Colonel Birger Ljundberg. (Greg Kelley)
FINLAND: The Finns caught the Russian 44th Motorised Division as it approached Suomussalmi to attempt the relief of the trapped 163rd Division.
The Finns blocked the road in front of and behind the Russians and used their ‘motti’ tactics using Suomi sub-machine guns, very effective weapons for close range forest work, then going in with grenades and knives.
ROMANIA: Bucharest: Romania signs a trade convention with Germany.
INDIA: Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow recognises the Muslim League. Jinnah celebrates by declaring today a “day of deliverance and thanksgiving” to be observed by all Muslims in gratitude for their release from the “tyranny, oppression and injustice” of Congress Raj in the provinces.
ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-61 damaged SS Gryfevale. (Dave Shirlaw)
I saw a documentary about this. The Finns sure fought hard for that land but the Russians’ willingness to send their people to certain death won that territory. Which they still own. I wonder if there’s any desire by the Finns to have it back.