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Diary Of WW2 — Day 193

Mar 11, 12:00 PM

Monday 11th March 1940

In Britain, meat rationing begins, the allowance is 1/10d (9p) worth of meat for everyone over 6 years of age. This was equivalent to about 1lb in weight. Young children were allowed 11d (4½p) worth. Poultry, game, offal, sausages and meat pies remain off the ration. Restaurants can still serve meat without asking for coupons.

The terms of the armistice between the USSR and Finland are — Finland is to give up the whole of the Karelian Isthmus, including Viipuri, territory in the “waist” of the country near Salla, and Rybachiy Peninsula near Murmansk.
— Finland is to grant a lease on the port of Hango to the Soviets. — Petsamo is returned to the Finns.

Given recent Soviet military gains, the terms seem fairly moderate.

In a final bid to prevent the Finns agreeing to an armistice Chamberlain and French prime minister Daladier announce that Britain and France will send help to Finland. With their country facing complete ruin, the Finns agree nonetheless.

RAF Blenheim bombers attack and sink U-31 in port at Schillig Roads, in northwest Germany. The submarine is later raised and re-commissioned. Only to be sunk again at the end of the year.

This film shows a staged attack by a Blenheim MkIV. The music was not played during genuine raids.

The United States government lifts its arms embargo to allow Britain and France to buy some P40 fighter planes.

This restored P40 getting ready to fly shows how ungainly these fighters with their long noses were on the ground. The low-level beat-up of the airfield in the last minute of the film is worth waiting for.

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