 |
| 01/09/1939 |
Norway's King Haakon VI
proclaims the neutrality of his country. Finland declares strict
neutrality. Denmark issues a declaration of neutrality. |
| 02/09/1939 |
Sweden issues a declaration of neutrality.
German Ministers at Stockholm, Sweden, and Oslo, Norway, give
a declaration that Germany would respect the integrity of Sweden
and Norway. |
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| 11/10/1939 |
The Soviet Union and Finland
begin negotiations concerning the establishment of Soviet air
bases on Finnish soil. The Soviet Union also requires Finland
to cede territory around lake Ladoga and the Gulf of Finland,
plus the Petsamo area in northern Finland. In return the Soviet
Union offers to give Finland a chunk of desolate land in central
Karelia. The Finns reject the Soviet demands fearing that to
accept will only encourage further Soviet demands. |
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| 12/11/1939 |
Negotiations between Russia and Finland
over territorial dispute reach deadlock. |
| 30/11/1939 |
After breaking off diplomatic
relations, the Soviet Union attacks Finland by land and air
without declaring war. During the Red Air Forces first raid
on the Helsinki, only 91 civilian's are killed due the capitals
excellent air defence system. Stalin alleges provocation. |
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 |
| 01/12/1939 |
The Soviet Union create
a puppet Finnish government in Moscow under the leadership of
a Finnish communist, Otto Kuusinen, who immediately accedes
to the Soviets territorial demands. A Finnish coastal guns at
Russarö engage the Russian cruiser Kirov and its screen
of destroyers. The Kirov and one destroyer damaged. |
| 02/12/1939 |
Russian troops capture Petsamo in the
extreme north of the Finland. |
| 03/12/1939 |
Finnish troops withdraw in good order
towards the Mannerheim line defensive position. |
| 05/12/1939 |
Heavy fighting in Karelia, Finland. |
| 06/12/1939 |
Soviet attacks against the Mannerheim
line are beaten back by the Finns with heavy Red Army casualties. |
| 07/12/1939 |
Norway, Denmark and Sweden declare
their neutrality. The Soviet Ninth Army launches an offensive
in central Karelia. Britain and France agree to send troops
and material to help Finland fight against the Soviet Union.
However, there is virtually no way to get these forces to Finland
and so the promises mean little. |
| 12/12/1939 |
Finnish have some success against Russian
troops at Tolvajärvi, inflicting heavy casualties. |
| 14/12/1939 |
Two Russian 'G'-class destroyers approach
Utö fortress. The fortress opens fire sinking one of the
destroyers. |
| 15/12/1939 |
The Russians launch heavy attacks against
Finnish forces at Taipale. |
| 17/12/1939 |
Russian forces launch heavy attacks
at Summa. |
| 18/12/1939 |
The Finnish 40th Infantry Regiment
of the Lapland Group, forces the Russian 273rd Infantry Regiment
of the 9th Army to retreat at Pelkosenniemi. |
| 19/12/1939 |
The Russians lose 20 tanks out of 100
as they continue to attack at Summa. |
| 20/12/1939 |
The Russians cease their attacks at
Summa, leaving Finnish forces in control of the whole Mannerheim
defensive line, except the Oinala Bulge. |
| 25/12/1939 |
A fresh Russian division is thrown
into the attacks at Taipale. The Russian airforce bombs 11 towns
and villages. |
| 27/12/1939 |
The Finnish 9th Division attacks towards
Suomussalmi, recapturing the village and forcing the Russian
163rd Division to retreat in panic. |
| 29/12/1939 |
Finnish forces launch a successful
counter attack to the North of Lake Ladoga. |
| 30/12/1939 |
Finnish troops at Suomussalmi, completely
destroy the Russian 163rd Infantry Division. |
