Friday, March 8, 1940 - Soviets breaking Finnish defenses

[Louis]

The Winter War... The Soviets capture part of Viipuri. Their pressure on the Finnish defenses northeast of the city is beginning to wear down the Finnish resistance. The Soviets reject a Finnish request, by the delegation in Moscow, for an immediate armistice. Meanwhile, large quantities of French arms, ammunition and aircraft (175) are now on the way to Finland.

 

[Louis]

The Soviet Union is today celebrating International Women's Day. The special "sisters of struggle" women's groups attached to the Red Army arrange numerous dance performances and other programmes in the various units of the army. Selected women soldiers are decorated for valour.

In Finland, the Central Organization of Social Democratic Women urges its members to join the Lotta Svärd women's defence organization.