[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]

Selections from West Point Atlas for the Second World War
Finland – The Decisive Offensive, 1-21 February 1940
Evolution of Plan Yellow, October 1939-January 1940
The Far East and the Pacific, 1941 – The Imperial Powers, 1 September 1939

[CougarGA7]

I wonder what that polling data will look like after France gets their butt handed to them. I never really had a good appreciation for how strong the isolationist movement was in the United States until we started this project. It seem that the more belligerent the Germans get, the stronger the isolationist become. It’s fascinating.

[CougarGA7]

Day 84 of the Winter War, February 21, 1940

Altogether 34 explosion and 100 incendiary bombs fall in the centre of the densely populated village. A quarter of the village is set ablaze.
Photo: SA-KUVA

Colonel A.E. Martola to command Finnish 1st Division

• Northern Sweden: shortly after noon, at 12.46 p.m., seven Soviet aircraft begin to bomb the Swedish village of Pajala in the Tornedal valley nine kilometres from the Finnish border.

• Altogether 34 explosion and 100 incendiary bombs fall in the centre of the densely populated village. A quarter of the village is set ablaze.

• Despite the considerable destruction, by some miracle there is no loss of human life. The all-clear is sounded at 12.55.

• The Swedish Government presents a stiffly worded protest to the Soviet Union over the incident.

• The Soviet forces on the Karelian Isthmus penetrate ever deeper towards Viipuri.

• Jaeger Colonel A.E. Martola is placed in command of the Finnish 1st Division.

• His predecessor, Jaeger Major-General Taavetti Laatikainen is transferred to command I Army Corps.

• Viipuri marshalling yard is the target of incessant enemy bombing. Over 1,000 wagons and a dozen engines are trapped in the yard by the damaged track.

• The Russian fire control planes and captive balloons are becoming more and more accurate in directing the enemy artillery.

• An artillery casemate in Patoniemi on the western edge of the Taipale sector is destroyed by two direct hits. Over 700 artillery shells explode and two guns are badly damaged. One man is killed and six wounded by flying shrapnel.

• Ladoga Karelia: during the course of the morning Finnish troops take the final remnants of the 'regimental motti' to the north of Lake Ladoga.

• Northern Finland: the Soviet offensive in Kuhmo runs out of steam.

• Karelian Isthmus: the Russian breakthrough in the intermediary position at Mustalampi is halted in a renewed counterattack by a reinforced Finnish brigade.

• The Finns lose control of one of the strongholds in the Terenttilä area in Taipale and are unable to retake it.

• Finnish Foreign Minister Väinö Tanner gives an account of the exploratory peace talks to the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament. The majority view is to grasp the chance of peace even at the cost of heavy sacrifices.

• Western Finland: Vaasa Town Court convicts five young men of looting.

• Helsinki Town Court hands down fines for infringements of the blackout regulations.

• Abroad: the wife of Georg Gripenberg, Finland's diplomatic representative in London, introduces the British Women's Council to the work of Finnish women in defending their country.

• Despite the war, US exports to the Soviet Union continue unabated. During the five months to the end of January, 90% of Soviet imports from the USA have been munitions to the value of 35 million dollars.