SCANDINAVIA

Welcome to the Scandinavia Timeline!

This timeline covers all the political and military events that occurred within Scandinavia between the years 1939 and 1945. The countries encompassed within the timeline are Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Iceland.

"Like so many of our people, we have now had a personal experience of German barbarity which only strengthens the resolution of all of us to fight through to final victory." King George VI September 1940 Marshal Semen Timoshenko Marshal Carl Mannerheim Finnish Bristol Bulldog Mk.IVa Finland had 17 Bristol Bulldog Mk.IVa which were powered by Mercury radial engines, and in spite of their obsolescence, scored a number of victories in the Winter War.

01/09/1939	Norway's King Haakon VI proclaims the neutrality of his country. Finland declares strict neutrality. Denmark issues a declaration of neutrality.
02/09/1939	Sweden issues a declaration of neutrality. German Ministers at Stockholm, Sweden, and Oslo, Norway, give a declaration that Germany would respect the integrity of Sweden and Norway.
11/10/1939	The Soviet Union and Finland begin negotiations concerning the establishment of Soviet air bases on Finnish soil. The Soviet Union also requires Finland to cede territory around lake Ladoga and the Gulf of Finland, plus the Petsamo area in northern Finland. In return the Soviet Union offers to give Finland a chunk of desolate land in central Karelia. The Finns reject the Soviet demands fearing that to accept will only encourage further Soviet demands.
12/11/1939	Negotiations between Russia and Finland over territorial dispute reach deadlock.
30/11/1939	After breaking off diplomatic relations, the Soviet Union attacks Finland by land and air without declaring war. During the Red Air Forces first raid on the Helsinki, only 91 civilian's are killed due the capitals excellent air defence system. Stalin alleges provocation.
01/12/1939	The Soviet Union create a puppet Finnish government in Moscow under the leadership of a Finnish communist, Otto Kuusinen, who immediately accedes to the Soviets territorial demands. A Finnish coastal guns at Russarö engage the Russian cruiser Kirov and its screen of destroyers. The Kirov and one destroyer damaged.
02/12/1939	Russian troops capture Petsamo in the extreme north of the Finland.
03/12/1939	Finnish troops withdraw in good order towards the Mannerheim line defensive position.
05/12/1939	Heavy fighting in Karelia, Finland.
06/12/1939	Soviet attacks against the Mannerheim line are beaten back by the Finns with heavy Red Army casualties.
07/12/1939	Norway, Denmark and Sweden declare their neutrality. The Soviet Ninth Army launches an offensive in central Karelia. Britain and France agree to send troops and material to help Finland fight against the Soviet Union. However, there is virtually no way to get these forces to Finland and so the promises mean little.
12/12/1939	Finnish have some success against Russian troops at Tolvajärvi, inflicting heavy casualties.
14/12/1939	Two Russian 'G'-class destroyers approach Utö fortress. The fortress opens fire sinking one of the destroyers.
15/12/1939	The Russians launch heavy attacks against Finnish forces at Taipale.
17/12/1939	Russian forces launch heavy attacks at Summa.
18/12/1939	The Finnish 40th Infantry Regiment of the Lapland Group, forces the Russian 273rd Infantry Regiment of the 9th Army to retreat at Pelkosenniemi.
19/12/1939	The Russians lose 20 tanks out of 100 as they continue to attack at Summa.
20/12/1939	The Russians cease their attacks at Summa, leaving Finnish forces in control of the whole Mannerheim defensive line, except the Oinala Bulge.
25/12/1939	A fresh Russian division is thrown into the attacks at Taipale. The Russian airforce bombs 11 towns and villages.
27/12/1939	The Finnish 9th Division attacks towards Suomussalmi, recapturing the village and forcing the Russian 163rd Division to retreat in panic.
29/12/1939	Finnish forces launch a successful counter attack to the North of Lake Ladoga.
30/12/1939	Finnish troops at Suomussalmi, completely destroy the Russian 163rd Infantry Division.