SEVERAL HUNDRED CASUALTIES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20109, 1 December 1939, Page 7

SEVERAL HUNDRED CASUALTIES

AIR RAIDS OVER WIDE VALLEY AREA HOSPITAL BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN HIT DEFENDERS WITHDRAW FROM BORDER (Elec. Tel. Copyright.—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dee. 1, 12 noon) LONDON, Nov. 30. * ' It is reported that Russian artillery opened fire on Finland early this morning near the border station of Terijoki. The correspondent of the British United Press at the Helsinki air port says that five bombs were dropped in Helsinki. Air raid warning was sounded at 9.25 a.m., and the people went to the shelters. One twin-engined Russian plane was seen. Finnish anti-aircraft guns opened fire. Earlier six Russian planes circled over the harbour entrance. Helsinki reported that the Finnish Foreign Office ’spokesman announced dramatically at 9.20 a.m.: “The war ■is on. ’ ’ Air raid sirens were then sounding. Traffic ceased and steel-helmeted wardens took control. Later the President of Finland, M. Kallio, issued a proclamation stating: “With a view to maintaining the country’s defence and constitution Finland has declared a state of war.” The Havas Agency in Paris reported that the damage to the Helsinki airport was small. A Helsinki message, however, says it is unofficially estimated that several hundred persons were killed or wounded in a 15-minute raid, commencing at 2.45 p.m.. The citizens of Helsinki calmly returned to work after the second air raid and the shops reopened. Compulsory Evacuation Probable The compulsory evacuation of Helsinki will probably be ordered. Large numbers of people are already leaving. The reports of fighting are meagre, but the Russians stated that they occupied various sections of the frontier. The damage to Helsinki from bombs is extensive. The Polytechnic College, one of the city’s finest buildings, was destroyed and several large blocks of flats were wrecked. Most of the bombs fell in the south-west quarter of the city where an area embracing 12 streets was soon ablaze. Windows were shattered over a radius of a mile. Members of the Soviet Legation are still in the city. At is believed they will be held as hostages until ,the Finnish Legation members in Moscow return. Many passengers were blown to bits when an omnibus was struck at a station by a bomb. Russia launched air, land and sea attacks simultaneously. Her troops crossed the frontier at 9.15 a.m. local time. Apart from the air action the invasion was directed on three points: Firstly, by artillery fire at Souyarvi, north of Lake Ladoga ; secondly, by an infantry thrust in the fai* north at Rybachi and Kila; and thirdly from the sea by warships shelling the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland. Vammelsuu was bombarded from the sea, probably by the Kronstadt. An artillery duel is reported at Kivnebb, in Marelya. Incendiary bombs were dropped on the Helsinki airport and also at Wiipuri, where several fires were Started. The raiders dropped handbills urging the populace to cooperate with the Soviets. Area of Cellulose Factories Russian planes bombed an entire valley, said to be called Ernso, which is near the Soviet frontier and contains many cellulose factories) No vital hits were scored, but ouc bomo aimed at a factory is reported to have struck a nearby hospital. The Soviet- unsuccessfully attempted to bomb the electric light plant in a town named Imtrata and a small island in Helsinki harbour was hit by a bomb aimed at the city. The Soviet bombardment is reported to have broken telephone communications between Helsinki and Suayarvi, where the Soviet troops ale believed to have occupied a strip of Finnish territory. The Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press says that the Finnish troops withdrew to their chief defence lines 25 miles from the frontier, this resulting in the advancing Russians finding only no man’s land. The correspondent says that the Russians are reported to have attempted to land at Hanko, but it is not known whether they were successful. The Finnish troops are remaining on the defensive and so far have not attacked, although there arc no signs of retreat anywhere It is not known whether the Russian attacks are simply designed to cover the seizure of the disputed territories, after which there may be an offer of a negotiated peace, or whether Russia is determined to break Finland’s defences. The'numbers of Russian planes participating in the raids is reported to have been comparatively small. The largest unit, which numbered 20, attacked Wiipuri. Planes attempted to bomb the Sveaborg fortress, but were driven off, Peninsula Occupied by Invaders

The Havas News Agency states that the Peninsula of Rybaehi and the Island of Seiskari in the Gulf of Finland, were occupied by Soviet Forces. It is estimated that 10 Russian planes were shot down during .the day. The Finnish fleet put out from Helsinki, it is believed to engage the Russian fleet which occupied Hogland and other islands. Leaflets dropped by raiders declared: “Mannerheim must go." Then peace will come. The Soviets null not harm the Finnish people, whose disaster is due to the wrong leadership." Field-Marshal Mannerheim has been appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish troops. With the sentences punctuated by the sound of bombs and the screaming of sirens the Helsinki correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain at Copenhagen held a telephone interview with the Finnish Minister, M. Erkko in ■ which the latter branded the invasion as the “purest aggression imaginable.” He added: “We have shown a willingness to find a peaceful solution. To the last Russia gives the pretext that we invaded Soviet territory. We have done nothing of the kind. The fact that our border troops were standing by for a possible Russian attack has been justified by to-day’s events. Russia had no right to denounce the non-aggression pact. According to the treaty, conciliation should .” Here the telephone was cut off.