Russians break through Mannerheim Line
week from February 5 - 11, 1940

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1940

Sea War: US Maritime Commission announces that Britain and France are buying 113,000 tons of old US cargo ships.

Neutrals, Holland: C-in-C General Reynders resigns over question of Dutch military preparedness.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1940

Home Front Britain: four people injured by IRA parcel bombs at Euston Station, London.

Picture: Gas-maks drill was still a serious business in Britain in February 1940. By September 1939, 38 million gas masks had been issued which never should be used in danger.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1940

Sea War Atlantic: Irish passenger-mail ship Munster sunk by mine in Irish Sea.

Home Front Britain: IRA men, Barnes and Richards, executed at Winson Green Prison, Birmingham (see December 11, 1939).

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1940

Western Front: Two French soldiers capture German patrol in Forbach Woods.

Picture: German soldiers in the snow of a forest. This photograph was taken by the grandfather of the author at the Western Front.

Secret War: 'Harry Sawyer' (Sebold) arrives in New York to head German spy network in USA; his special equipment includes 'microdots'. Sebold is a double agent, working for the FBI.

Home Front France: Paris police raid Soviet Press Agency and discover that it is being used as cover for pro-German propaganda agency.

Home Front New Zealand: Centenary celebrations on anniversary of Anglo-Maori Treaty of Waitangi (foundation of New Zealand).

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1940

Winter War, Finland: Finns hold Russian attacks in Summa sector.

Neutrals, Turkey: 80 Germans technical advisers dismissed by government.

Sea War: German destroyers lay mines in 'The Wash', on British East coast (night February 9-10).

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1940

Sea War Atlantic: six German merchant ships leave Vigo, Spain to run the blockaide. Allied warships intercept four; one runs aground off North Norway and one (Wangoni) reaches Kiel.
Dutch government announces decision to build three battlecruisers (with technical assistance from Italy) for defence of Dutch East Indies (they are never completed).

Western Front: French communique reads: Rien a signaler ('Nothing to report').

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1940

Winter War, Finland: (MAIN EVENT) Russians break through Mannerheim Line in Summa sector. 123rd Division overwhelms defending Finnish battalion. Finns launch desperate counter-attacks.

Picture: the prototypes of the Russian new generation tanks were also used against Finland for combat trials. This is the T-100 'Sotka' heavy tank in action.

Diplomacy: Soviet-German Trade Agreement. USSR to receive latest in machinery and military equipment in exchange for wheat, cotton and oil.

Home Front, Canada: Death of Gov.-Gen. Lord Tweedsmuir (the novelist John Buchan), aged 64.