4th » World War II: HMS Nelson 28 6 is struck by a sea mine mine (laid by GS U-31 1936 2) off the Scotland Scottish coast and is laid up for repairs until August 1940.
12th » Winter War: Battle of Tolvajärvi Finland called Finnish forces defeat those of the Soviet Union in their first major victory of the conflict.
12th » HMS Duchess H64 6 sinks after a collision with HMS Barham 04 6 off the coast of Scotland with the loss of 124 men.
13th » World War II: Battle of the River Plate Captain Hans Langsdorff of the Nazi Germany German Deutschland class cruiser (pocket battleship) 'German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee Admiral Graf Spee' engages with Royal Navy cruisers HMS Exeter 68 6, HMS Ajax 22 6 a
14th » Winter War: The Soviet Union is expelled from the League of Nations for invading Finland.
17th » World War II: Battle of the River Plate The 'German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee named Admiral Graf Spee' is scuttled by Captain Hans Langsdorff outside Montevideo.
18th » World War II: The Battle of the Heligoland Bight (1939) known as Battle of the Heligoland Bight, the first major air battle of the war, takes place.
22nd » Indian Islam known as Muslims observe a "Day of Deliverance (India) or Day of Deliverance" to celebrate the resignations of members of the Indian National Congress over their not having been consulted over the decision to enter World War II with the Unite
24th » World War II: Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace.
27th » Erzincan, Turkey is hit by an 1939 Erzincan earthquake called earthquake, killing 30,000.
27th » Winter War: Finland holds off a Soviet Union e.g Soviet attack in the Battle of Kelja.
29th » First flight of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator.