March 22nd, 1939 (WEDNESDAY)
LITHUANIA: The Memel Territory is ceded to Germany after the Germans present an ultimatum to the Lithuanian government. The name Memel Territory is applied to the 1,092 square mile (2828 square kilometer) district of former East Prussia situated on the east coast of the Baltic Sea and adjoining East Prussia. In 1919 the Treaty of Versailles placed the district, containing the city and port of Memel, under League of Nations-sponsored French administration. Lithuanian troops occupied the area in 1923, forcing the French garrison to withdraw. The Allied council of ambassadors then drew up a new status for the territory, which in 1924 became an autonomous region within Lithuania with its own legislature. The 1938 electoral victory of the National Socialists in the Memel Territory was followed by the German ultimatum demanding the district’s return and Lithuania complied.
Amongst the Kriegsmarine units taking part in the occupation is the pocket battle cruiser Graf Spee.
U.S.A.: The USN ordered that the XF2A-1 (Brewster Buffalo) be modified by replacing the engine with a 1,200 hp (894.8 kW) Wright R-1820-40 radial engine, raised canopy, redesigned rudder, introduction of an electric instead of a hydraulic propeller and a high-altitude carburettor system. (Craig Paffhausen)