5 Mar 1940 | World War II Database

5 Mar 1940

The Soviet Politburo declared the Polish officers in captivity "enemies of the Soviet Union" and ordered death sentences for all of them, fearing that, if released back into the population, they would organize resistance movements against the Soviet occupation. ww2dbase [Katyn Massacre and Related Atrocities | CPC]
Despite heavy casualties delivered by the Finnish Air Force, Soviet forces captured more islands in Viipuri Bay in Finland and asserted more pressure on the city of Viipuri. The Soviet Union renewed its peace offer, and this time it was seriously considered by Finland. ww2dbase [The Winter War | CPC]
German submarine U-17 torpedoed and sank Dutch steamer Grutto 20 miles off Belgium at 2100 hours. Grutto sank within 6 minutes of the attack, killing all 18 aboard. ww2dbase [CPC]
Hermann Göring complained that he was not consulted for the planning of the Norwegian invasion. ww2dbase [Hermann Göring | CPC]
German merchant steamers Hannover, Mimi Horn and Seattle departed Curaçao. ww2dbase [HM]

China

Communist Chinese troops laid siege to Yanchuan County seat, Shaanxi Province, China; the local paramilitary forces loyal to the Nationalists would quickly surrender. ww2dbase [Yanchuan, Shaanxi | CPC]

Germany

Fleet escort ship F3 was recommissioned as a fleet tender, with the new name of Hai. ww2dbase [F3 | CPC]

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis

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