Today in World War II History—January 5, 1940 & 1945
Poster recruiting Swedish volunteers to aid Finland—“Finland’s Cause is Our Cause.”
85 Years Ago—Jan. 5, 1940: In the Battle of Suomussalmi, Finnish troops encircle 18,000 Soviet troops north of Lake Ladoga.
The first Swedish volunteers arrive in Finland to help in the war against the Soviet Union.
Britain announces no one with a German passport, including Jews, can enter Palestine.
FM radio is demonstrated for the first time in the US.
Heavy cruiser USS Louisville under kamikaze attack, 6 Jan 1945 (US National Archives: 80-G-363217)
80 Years Ago—Jan. 5, 1945: As Allied invasion force approaches Lingayen Gulf on Luzon, kamikazes damage heavy cruisers USS Louisville and HMAS Australia, destroyers USS Helm and HMAS Arunta, escort carriers USS Manila Bay and USS Savo Island, and destroyer escort USS Stafford (54 killed on all ships).
