December 1939
Politics:
3rd: The Kingdom of Belgium declares war on Germany in response to alleged threats of war.
4th: Following a marathon session, the Swedish parliament narrowly passes a declaration of war on the Soviet Union.
5th: "Mourir Pour Danzig?" becomes the most popular graffito seen in Brussels alleyways.
6th: Bulgaria begins receiving major arms shipments from the Soviet Union
18th: The Finnish parliament was presented with the terms of peace with the Soviet Union on the 18th December 1939. With the military situation grim, most members expected to end the war that day- but as the terms were read out cries of anger arose from around the chamber- immediate surrender, total occupation, alliance with Soviet Union- war with Sweden!? General Mannerheim stood at the centre of the chamber with all eyes turned on him. He quietly summed up the military situation- Russian units had nearly reached the cost of the Gulf of Bothnia in a number of areas, Petsamo had been taken and the fortress lines in the Karelian isthmus were under heavy pressure, about to be flanked from Lake Ladoga in any case. Finnish losses to date were estimated at nearly 50,000 killed, wounded or missing. Then, suddenly raising his voice, he announced the figure for Russian losses- estimated at a quarter of a million! Still speaking at the top of his voice, Mannerheim announced that the equivalent of two divisions of Swedish troops would be entering Finland before the end of the month, and that Sweden was preparing for full mobilisation. Shouts went up from around the chamber and within moments the Finnish national anthem was being sung by all the members...
The motion to accept a cease fire was defeated unanimously.
20th: The Danish Government officially condemns the harsh cease-fire terms offered to Finland by the Soviet Union. Without a compromise the Soviet Union's stated moral high ground has evaporated. Denmark stands together with its Scandanavian brothers. If a single Soviet soldier enters Sweden, a state of war will exist between the Kingdom of Denmark and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. We may not have much, but all we have will be thrown into the fight against the forces of international communism.
Maneouvers:
2nd: Soviet forces capture Petsamo and Salla
10th: French forces occupy Luxembourg. The Grand Duchess seeks sanctuary in Germany and condemns the action.
16th: Soviet forces 100km from Finnish coast at Oulu.
17th: Helsinki (Reuters) - Today, the Finnish Defence Ministry called an urgent press conference to update the world on the fighting along its eastern borders. What was briefed came as a shock to those present! With a grim face, the spokesman informed that the country has been cut into two by the Communists Red who are currently driving towards the Swedish border in the north while down south, the Reds are making inroads towards the capital. Though the Finns have shown great tendacity in defence, nothing seems to be able to hold back the Red tide! After a long pause... the spokesman continued to the effect that an immediate cease fire has been put in place to prevent needless loss of lives between the two sides.
21st: French forces continue to deploy in Luxembourg and along the border with the Saarland. Belgian forces deploy heavily on their border with Germany.
Naval Encounters:
Battle of the Atlantic continues to see heavy losses.
The Royal Navy deployed the majority of its home strength in the North Sea off the coast of Norway. The heavy units were intercepted by the Luftwaffe and several Battleships were reportedly damaged. Following this action the Royal Navy abandoned the action and returned to Scapa Flow. Both sides claim to have crippled the enemy's air.
14th: Two Soviet destroyers attempt to bombard Utö fortress, but are caught between the land and an approaching Swedish squadron. Both vessels are lost.