[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]

[beebuster2000]

thnks homer

[iowamark]

The ocean liner aircraft carrier plan is interesting! Never came about, though.

The USN ordered one carrier in 1940, the Essex(CV-9), which would be launched in July 1942. The Yorktown(CV-10) was ordered in 1941 and launched in 1943.

[headsonpikes]

I especially admired the Letter to the Editor from Anna Kivimaki re the Finnish Campaign. Such moral clarity is refreshing!

[CougarGA7]

Day 45 of the Winter War, January 13, 1940

In Lahti, the radio transmitter is damaged in the bombing.
Photo: SA-KUVA

Finnish troops surround the enemy at Kitelä

• Åland Sea: the Soviet submarine Sts 324 attacks Finnish convoys in the Märket narrows.

• The Finnish escort vessel Aura II sinks after one of its own depth charges explodes on deck.

• Central Isthmus: enemy attempts at mini-offensives at Lähde and Summa are successfully repulsed.

• Ladoga Karelia: Finnish troops establish the great Kitelä 'motti'.

• Soviet bombers carry out air-raids on a number of localities.

• The air-raid on Hämeenlinna kills 12 people and injures 21 more.

• In Helsinki, the air-raid kills 6 and injures another 21; it also sets the Hietalahti shipyard on fire.

• In Lahti, the radio transmitter is damaged in the bombing.

• The Finnish Broadcasting Company warns its listeners to be on their guard against enemy radio propaganda and indicates that due to enemy interference it will use only well-known announcers in its own broadcasts.

• Abroad: Heimo Haitto, the 14-year-old violin prodigy, is the main attraction at a gala concert in Stockholm organized by the Fund for Finnish Relief.

• At a fight held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Finnish heavyweight boxer Gunnar Bärlund scores a points victory over his American opponent, Jim Thompson. Some of the proceeds from the fight go to help Finland.

• Coffee growers in Rio de Janeiro donate 60,000 sacks of coffee to Finland.

[CougarGA7]

Since we were talking about British aircraft yesterday I figured it would be worthwhile to mention this Soviet maiden flight today.

Yak-1

Country Russia
Manufacturer A.S. Yakovlev Design Bureau JSC
Primary Role Fighter
Maiden Flight 13 January 1940

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

The Yak-1 fighters first flew on 13 Jan 1940. Almost failing government approval due to overheating problems, they nevertheless entered production a month later on 19 Feb 1940, possibly due to Alexander Sergeevich Yakovlev's favored status with Joseph Stalin. Over 20,000 changes of various degrees were made to the blueprint in the first three years of production, complicating the manufacturing process that was already plagued by a shortage of engines and other parts. As a result, different batches of Yak-1 fighters often used different parts, making service difficult. Additionally, the plywood wings often damaged from weather, and these aircraft were notoriously known for the lack of safety for pilots. Nevertheless, they performed well in combat situations, particularly with a tight turning radius, making them well-liked in the Russian military.

The war's only two female aces, Katya Budanova and Lydia Litvyak, both piloted Yak-1 fighters.

Source: Wikipedia.

SPECIFICATIONS

Yak-1b
Machinery One Klimov M-105PF V-12 liquid-cooled engine rated at 1,180hp
Armament 1x20mm ShVAK cannon, 1x12.7mm Berezin UBS machine gun
Span 9.99 m
Length 8.50 m
Wing Area 17.20 m²
Weight, Empty 2,394 kg
Weight, Loaded 2,883 kg
Speed, Maximum 592 km/h
Rate of Climb 9.99 m/s
Service Ceiling 10,050 m
Range, Normal 700 km

[magslinger]

SONOBUOY PING!

See pp 3 & 5.

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1940/jan40/f13jan40.htm

In the Netherlands... A “a state of readiness” is ordered in anticipation of an invasion from Germany. All army leave is cancelled.

In Belgium... A “a state of readiness” is ordered in anticipation of an invasion from Germany. The armed forces are mobilized.

In Germany... Forecasts of poor weather force Hitler to postpone the western offensive to January20th. Meanwhile a fall in the size of the German male workforce is causing the regime to reconsider the Nazi doctrine, fostered since 1933, that a woman’s place is firmly at home. The idea of employing more women is opposed by senior Nazi Party leaders.

In Paris... A Franco-Spanish Trade Agreement is signed. Spain is to receive French wheat, fertilizers and manufactured goods in exchange for iron ore and other minerals.

In Norway... Increasing in defense expenditures produces the largest government budget in Norwegian history.