[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” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
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]

[C19fan]

Is the “mystery” new British fighter the Mosquito? Of course, the Me-110 would turn out to be a major dud.

[CougarGA7]

When I saw that Narkom Mikhail Kaganovich was “relieved as commisar” I was pretty certain that it meant killed. It turns out he was actually demoted and placed in charge of the N24 aircraft plant in Kazan (though he will commit suicide June of next year). His younger brother is a more infamous Kaganovich.

[CougarGA7]

Day 44 of the Winter War, January 12, 1940

Over 400 enemy aircraft bomb several localities across Finland; the main focus of the bombing is in the southwest.
Photo: SA-KUVA

Over 400 enemy aircraft bomb southwest Finland

• Northern Finland: after intense combat with a force of Soviet troops who had made a surprise advance in the Juntusranta sector, Group Susi takes up defensive positions on the Tormua parallel.

• Over 400 enemy aircraft bomb several localities across Finland; the main focus of the bombing is in the southwest.

• Ladoga Karelia: the commander of the Soviet 56th Army requests an aircraft to lift him out of the Kitelä-Syskyjärvi-Koirinoja triangle. Finnish troops manage to damage the aircraft, which has to make an emergency landing on the frozen Lake Ladoga.

• Northern Finland: the F19 airforce regiment of Swedish volunteers goes into combat for the first time at Märkäjärvi.

• The Ministry of Supply urges evacuees to adapt to their new circumstances and attempt to support themselves, if possible, and to work for their hosts who are providing them with shelter.

• London: the Daily Express reports a Dutch source as saying that Hitler is keen to act as broker in the conflict between Finland and the Soviet Union.

• Sweden: an art shop is opened to raise funds for Finland.

• The International Federation of Trade Unions issues a resolution calling on governments around the world to fulfil their obligation of solidarity with Finland.