[Homer_J_Simpson]

Issue for Congress – 2-3
U.S. Navy Role Stirs Comment at Berlin – 3
No Nobel Peace Prize in 1940, Oslo Announces – 3
The International Situation – 3
British in Capuzzo – 4
Cold and Terrain Slow Greek Drive – 4-5
Two Ships Report Distress at Sea – 5-6
Shipments Must Go Overland – Winter Grips Balkans – 6
5 Hits on Warships at Naples Claimed – 6
14 British Cities Listed as Bombed by Italians – 6
Refugees Describe Sinking in Midocean – 6
The Texts of the Day’s Communiques on the War – 7-8
3 of Graf Spee Crew Flee Chile on False Passports – 8

[Homer_J_Simpson]

http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1940/dec40/f17dec40.htm

British gains in western desert

Tuesday, December 17, 1940 www.onwar.com

In North Africa... The British forces occupy Fort Capuzzo, Sollum and three other Italian positions near the Egypt-Libya border. The Italian garrisons of these places have withdrawn to the Bardia fortress.

In Washington... President Roosevelt gives a press conference outlining a scheme which he plans to introduce to bring further aid to Britain which he will call Lend-Lease. His argument is that if a neighbor’s house is on fire it is only sensible to lend him a hose to stop the fire spreading to your own house, and that it would be stupid to think of asking for payment in such circumstances.

In Vichy France... Laval, the former foreign minister, is released from prison after the German ambassador intervenes.