In Argentina… Since December 13th, the British Admiralty has been sending ships speeding to Montevideo. Only the heavy cruiser, Cumberland, has arrived so far to support the HMS Ajax and HMS Achilles, already on station at the mouth of the river. Local British diplomats try to have the Graf Spee held for a few more days until stronger forces arrive and at the same time continue to give the impression that heavy units, including the battle cruiser, Renown, are already in position. Langsdorff decides to scuttle his ship outside the port with an audience of thousands lining the waterfront.

In the Winter War… The main Soviet attacks begin against the Mannerheim Line around Summa. The same pattern is repeated for the first three days. The advancing tanks penetrate into the Finnish positions during each day. The infantry are held off and the tanks mostly destroyed during the nights by the Finnish troops who then emerge from their defenses. The Finns claim that two Soviet divisions have been smashed, with 36,000 prisoners taken and a further 20,000 surrounded.

In Britain… The first Canadian troops arrive in Liverpool. A heavily protected convoy has brought over 7,500 men of the 1st Canadian Division. The force, under the command of Canadian Major-General McNaughton, arrived in 5 liners. Officers slept in suites and men in first class cabins.

On the Western Front… An increase in German reconnaissance flights is reported.