[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”.)
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]

[RayChuang88]

What drove the Soviets nuts was the fact the Red Army was completely no match for the Finnish troops that could move with lightning speed on skis, which meant the Red Army was constantly being outflanked by the Finns. Small wonder why the Russians suffered HUGE losses until the spring thaw, when the superiority of the Red Army mechanized divisions finally prevailed.

It was a lesson not lost on the British--they modeled the Special Air Service (SAS) operating in North Africa to move in small, highly mobile teams across the Western Desert, and that tactic gave no grief to the German forces in North Africa.

[CougarGA7]

Day 33 of the Winter War, January 1, 1940

Soviet troops capture Viitavaara on the River Aittojoki for the first time.
Photo: SA-KUVA

Soviet troops take Viitavaara

• Northern Finland: Colonel Siilasvuo determines to smash the Russian 44th Division which has been advancing along the Raate road.

• Ladoga Karelia: two battalions of the Finnish 13th Division launch an assault to the north of Ruhtinaanmäki.

• Soviet troops capture Viitavaara on the River Aittojoki for the first time.

• The numbering of some of the Finnish divisions is changed in order to confuse Soviet intelligence.

• The enemy bombs the cities of Oulu in the north and Turku in the southwest. In Oulu, four people are killed and 16 buildings destroyed. Altogether 30 enemy aircraft are used in the attack on Turku.

• Abroad: the Swedish sports reporter Torsten Tegnér proposes a bandy match to raise funds for Finland.

• 10 well-known Russian émigré writers, including Nobel Prize winner Ivan Bunin, issue a communiqué in Paris condemning the Soviet Union's invasion of Finland.

[CougarGA7]

A lot of the radio links I have for this year is undated (at least in the title) and I'm just now getting around to trying to figure them out. I thought I would still get this one posted though.

NRK - Prince Olaf of Norway addressing Norwegians Living Abroad