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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.

Day 65 of the Winter War, February 2, 1940

Ladoga Karelia: 92 enemy aircraft attack Sortavala in five waves, killing 15 people and injuring 44 others; the Lutheran church is among the buildings destroyed in the attack.
Photo: SA-KUVA

Brazil sends Finland 10,000 sacks of coffee

Karelian Isthmus: Soviet forces continue their assault on the 3rd Division's main defensive position.
The Soviet Air Force continues its bombing raids as part of the general offensive on the Isthmus.
Eastern Isthmus: a patrol of seven enemy paratroopers lands on the frozen Lake Pyhäjärvi and is wiped out.
Northern Finland: the Soviet 54th Division, surrounded in Kuhmo, is attempting to break out by attacking in a number of areas.
Another enemy division is brought in to support the attacks.
Ladoga Karelia: 92 enemy aircraft attack Sortavala in five waves, killing 15 people and injuring 44 others; the Lutheran church is among the buildings destroyed in the attack.
Pori: enemy bombers hit a bomb splinter shelter, killing 11 women and 3 men. Altogether 21 people are killed in the raid.
Lake Saimaa: Lieutenant Fritz Rasmussen, a Danish volunteer pilot, is killed when enemy aircraft shoot down his Fokker FR-81 while he is on a defensive flight near Rauha on the shores of Lake Saimaa.
Abroad: the Holmenkollen skiing stadium in Oslo puts on a benefit event in aid of Finland. The main attractions are the oft-crowned Olympic speed-skating champion and World Champion Clas Thunberg and the ski-jumpers Lauri Valonen and Niilo Toppila.
Brazilian President Getulio Vargas announces that Brazil is to send Finland a gift of 10,000 sacks of coffee.
The Finnish Government presents its opening position for peace talks in response to the terms of negotiation presented by the Soviet Union. The response is communicated to the Soviet Union via the Swedish Foreign Ministry.
The Soviet Ambassador in Stockholm, Madame Alexandra Kollontai, indicates that the Soviet Union cannot give up its demand for bases in Finland.
The British War Cabinet rejects a plan for a naval blockade of the Soviet Union.

They sure seem pretty high on the new P-39. The Air Corps wont take delivery of any P-39s until they start receiving the C model in January of 1941. Many of the first production units were designated for Britain to help stave off the threat of a German invasion. It will be the Russians the best use the Aeracobra though where they will be used as dive bombers against German tanks. The Soviets second leading ace Alexander Pokryshkin will be considered the most successful P-39 pilot raking up 59 air victories. (Source: All the U.S. Air Force Airplanes, 1907-1983 - Andrew W. Waters)

Alexander Pokryshkin (far right) talks with other Soviet airmen; his P-39 heavily decorated with kills is in the background