HOLDING OUT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20110, 2 December 1939, Page 5

HOLDING OUT

FINNS AT BAY TANKS WRECKED CHECK TO INVADERS BITTER FIGHTING SOVIET ACCUSATION ‘TREACHEROUS’ ATTACKS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 2, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 1. The first Finnish war communique stated that all the Russian troops .vere halted yesterday afternoon. It was denied that Finnish troops crossed the Russian frontier. The Finns are reported to be holding out on the Karelian Isthmus, where they wrecked numerous Russian tanks. A Finnish radio broadcast declared that the invaders were repelled at most points and were prevented from advancing from positions where they had gained a foothold. Stockholm messages state that bitter fighting is reported at Terijoki where the Russians are keeping fhe Finnish defences continually engaged with heavy artillery fire, and bombing by air. Successive waves of Soviet troops are reported to have been driven back. An earlier Helsinki message despatched yesterday stated that the majority of reports confirmed the Russian occupation of the Port of Terijoki on the Karelian Isthmus and the island of Seiskari. Petsamo Peninsula Some sources also stated that the Petsamo peninsula in the Arctic had been occupied and that troops were landed at Hanko after an aerial bombardment. Russian warplanes carried the spearhead of the attack right to the Norwegian frontier, turning machine-guns on civilian transport. Five women and children caught thus struggled to safety across the frontier. The Russians were to-day reported to have occupied Petsamo after fierce fighting in the course of which Russian troops were landed by parachute. Most of the city -is in flames. Russian Warships are reported to toe heavily 'bombarding the port of Hanko.

Copenhagen reports state that three Russian warships bombarded Hanko Island, all the morning. The entire papulation was huddled in shelters for. hours, but the fortress apparently was not damaged.

Refugees Reach Norway

The modern Finnish harbour of Liinahamari, at the terminus of -the Baltic-ito-Arctic road was -bombed. The entire town was soon aflame. Two hundred refugees from the town entered Norway. The Soviet Fleet was visible from Helsinki this morning. It disappeared over the horizon. A Moscow radio -broadcast declared that Finnish soldiers crossed the frontier and attacked Soviet posts, whereupon the Red Army was ordered to advance. It had penetrated six miles. It. is admitted that a state of war existed and that Helsinki had been bombed. The Moscow radio announced that the Red Army was forced to march because of “treacherous attacks” Vby Finnish troops. The Soviet commander had no alternative but to order the fullest destruction of the enemy.