WELLES HANDS MUSSOLINI SECRET ROOSEVELT MESSAGE; KOIVISTO LOST, FINNS ADMIT (2/27/40)

Microfiche-New York Times archives, Cabrillo College Library | 2/27/40 | Herbert L. Matthews, George Axelsson

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[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
Evolution of Plan Yellow, October 1939-January 1940
The Far East and the Pacific, 1941 – The Imperial Powers, 1 September 1939

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Rome Talk Cordial – 2-3
The International Situation – 3
Viborg ‘Key’ Taken – 4-5
Reich Ship Losses in Arctic Reported – 6
British Reject Plan on Altmark – 7
Two Navy Changes Urged by Edison * – 8
Large Area in Scotland Is Closed to Civilians – 8
Merchant Ships Sunk in War – 8
Incidents in European Conflict – 9
With the American Volunteer Forces in Finland (Photos) – 10

* Birth of Buships

[Homer_J_Simpson]

http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1940/feb40/f27feb40.htm

British claims victory vs. German subs

Tuesday, February 27, 1940 www.onwar.com

In Britain... Churchill claims half of the German U-boat strength has been destroyed. Meanwhile, the first British volunteers leave to aid the Finnish forces.

In Oslo... Norway refuses the Finnish request for transit rights for foreign troops.

In Stockholm... Sweden refuses the Finnish request for transit rights for foreign troops.

The Winter War... Towards evening General Mannerheim orders the Finnish army to evacuate the second defensive line.

[henkster]

Things are heating up in Norway, and it’s not just the anticipated thaw in Spring. Seems both the Germans and British have designs on that neutral country.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/month/thismonth/27.htm

February 27th, 1940

UNITED KINGDOM: RAF Fighter Command: Firth of Forth - One Luftwaffe aircraft shot down.
Northumberland coast - One Luftwaffe aircraft shot down.
Four North Sea trawlers attacked by Luftwaffe aircraft - No damage - One bomber severely damaged by machine-gun fire from trawlers.

RAF Bomber Command: 4 Group. Leaflets and Reconnaissance - Berlin. 51 Sqn. One aircraft. Moderate opposition.

The first volunteers leave to aid the Finnish forces.

First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill claims half of the German U-boat strength has been destroyed. (Jack McKillop)

SCANDINAVIA: Sweden and Norway again refuse Finland’s request for transit rights for foreign troops.

FINLAND: The two reinforced battalions of SFK man the front around Märkäjärvi in Salla, freeing five Finnish battalions to the desperate battles in and around the western shore of Gulf of Viipuri in south-eastern Finland’s coast. Of SFK’s third battalion only a company and a battery made it to the front just before the end of the hostilities. (Mikko Härmeinen)(203)

GIBRALTAR: U.S. freighter SS Sundance is detained at Gibraltar by British authorities. (Jack McKillop)

[CougarGA7]

Day 90 of the Winter War, February 27, 1940

The Finnish troops have held the intermediary defensive positions on the Isthmus for 12 days. Lieutenant-General Erik Heinrichs, commander of the Army of the Isthmus, orders withdrawal from these positions to begin at 7 o'clock in the evening.
Photo: SA-KUVA

Delaying action begins to cover withdrawal to backline defences

• The Finnish troops have held the intermediary defensive positions on the Isthmus for 12 days. Lieutenant-General Erik Heinrichs, commander of the Army of the Isthmus, orders withdrawal from these positions to begin at 7 o'clock in the evening.

• The Finns begin delaying action to cover withdrawal to the backline defences.

• Despite the critical situation in the intermediary positions as a result of the enemy breakthrough, the Finnish troops manage to pace their withdrawal successfully. The Soviet force follows behind relatively slowly.

• Following the realignment of the front on the western part of the Isthmus, the Finnish 2nd Division is ordered to withdraw to the eastern side of the Vuoksi and defend the Sintolanniemi-Vuosalmi line.

• The 2nd Division fighting in Vuosalmi ends its assessment of its present situation: "Today we're okay, tomorrow we'll be really struggling, and the day after tomorrow the 2nd Division will no longer exist unless we get full assistance from III Army Corps."

• The 2nd Division is placed under III Army Corps and begins a delaying action in the Vuosalmi sector.

• In the far north, enemy air raids on the Finnish positions at Heteoja in Petsamo continue throughout the day.

• In the face of an assault by a much larger enemy force, the outnumbered Finns are forced in the evening to withdraw to the west bank of the River Nautsijoki.

• Abroad: Finland's Foreign Minister Väinö Tanner is in Stockholm for talks with Swedish Prime Minister P.A. Hansson.

• The Swedish Government sticks to its previous position: it will not intervene to help Finland.

• Tanner proposes a defensive alliance to halt the Soviet advance. He also meets the Soviet Union's ambassador in Stockholm, Madame Alexandra Kollontai.

• The Soviet Union refuses to relax its peace terms.

• 300 child evacuees arrive in Stockholm from Finland. 3,000 more are expected to arrive soon.

• Pope Pius XII donates a signed and sealed prayer on behalf of Finland to the Pro Finlandia auction of books organized by the Bukowski auction house in Stockholm.

• Helsinki's Swedish Theatre visits Oslo and receives public acclaim for its performance of J.J. Wecksell's play Daniel Hjort.

• After the performance the company are presented with flowers and Director Nyman presents his Finnish colleague with a laurel wreath.

• The Norwegian Royal Family and many members of the Government attend the performance, which ends with the singing of the Finnish and Norwegian national anthems.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

http://worldwar2daybyday.blogspot.com/

Day 180 February 27, 1940

A bleak day for Finland. Red Army continues its general offensive towards Viipuri with the intention of crushing the withering Finnish resistance in a pincer movement including an assault across frozen Viipuri bay to encircle the city. At 7 PM, commander of the Finnish Army of the Isthmus, Lieutenant-General Erik Heinrichs orders withdrawal from defensive positions in the V-line. An orderly retreat towards Viipuri begins.

Finnish government begs for assistance from its Scandinavian allies, but Norway and Sweden reaffirm their neutrality in fear of Soviet reprisals.

300 Finnish children are evacuated to Stockholm, Sweden.

[CougarGA7]

I'm embarrassed to say I totally forgot about this posting. Here is another installment of our esteemed Lord Haw Haw.

RSH - Lord Haw Haw: British Ministry of Misinformation