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Diary Of WW2 — Day 197

Mar 15, 12:00 PM

Friday 15th March 1940

Whitleys, like this one drawn by Ian Kennedy, were a major component of the RAF’s bomber fleet at the start of the war. They would be relegated to less important duties as newer types entered service.

Taking off in the evening of March 15, RAF bombers drop propaganda leaflets over Occupied Warsaw. During the return flight, a British Whitley bomber, low on fuel, lands in a field in western Germany. The crew speak to some locals before realising their mistake taking off again. German forces arrive too late to stop them.

The Finnish Diet (parliament) meets in secret and ratifies the Moscow peace agreement by 145 votes to three. Speaking in support of the treaty the prime minister, Risto Ryti, says, “Finland, as well as the whole of Western civilization, is still in the greatest danger, and no one can say what tomorrow may bring. We believe that by choosing peace we have acted in the best way for the moment.”

The Winter War is over.

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