FINNISH RESISTANCE TO INVADERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20111, 4 December 1939, Page 7

FINNISH RESISTANCE TO INVADERS

SHALL NEVER CALL A RETREAT CHECKING FOUR-FOLD ATFACK RUSSIANS DEFEATED IN MAJOR BATTLE FLOOD OF REFUGEES LEAVING CAPITAL SAFETY IN SNOW-COVERED FORESTS (Elec! Tch Copyright.— United Press Assn.) ("Reed. Dee. 4. 30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 3. The Finnish capital, Helsinki, entered the third day of war • with Russia with only a third of the population remaining. ‘The majority of these are spending their days and nights in dug-outs in the snow-covered woods and forests round the city. Many are sleeping in the open. The roadsides are littered with abandoned ears wrecked by accidents during the black-outs. In Helsinki, Field-Marshal Mannerheim, the Comraander-in-Chief of the Finnish Army, issued the order of the day in which lie declared that the whole country “will tight unto death” against the invader who is lOnland s hereditary 7 enemy.” ' lie declared: “This war is nothing but the continuance and the final act of our war of liberty 7 .” An official announcement made by the Finnish Legation in London, amplifying Field Marshal Manncrheim’s order of the day states: “Though death rains on us from the skies we will fight to the bitter end and shall never call a retreat. The united forces of the nation are behind the new Government.” Yesterday the Russians again bombed the port of Hanko and other towns in eastern and western Finland. It is understood that the Russians agreed not to bomb Helsinki to-day or to-morrow following a German request that the German colony 7 be allowed to leave safely.

Nineteen Russian Planes Down

It is officially claimed that a total of at least 19 Soviet planes have been shot down.

The Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press states that the Finnish Army is striking back against a fourfold invasion, in the north, in the centre, around Lake Ladoga and along the Karelian isthmus. .Refugees who swelled the population fourfold at the border village of Svanvik explained the orderliness and foresight of the Finnish action.

A squadron of Russian warships attended by aeroplanes approached a port, compelling the defenders to withdraw until they could engage the enemy on land. The Finns sank every vessel in the harbour, blocking the fairway. They also detonated mines embedded in the face of cliffs, the flying rock fragments being as effective as artillery. When eventually the invaders landed q Vays and roads exploded as fresh mines went off. The retreating Finns set fire to the port in order to delay the Russians and strike back.

Invaders Badiy Equipped

The Finnish authorities yesterday announced that the Finns had defeated the Russians in a big battle 50 miles north from Salimijervi.

The Russians were reported to be badly equipped and lack provisions.

Russian bombers again appeared over Helsinki at 9.20 a.m. yesterday. With refugees pouring from the city, the roads were packed with every type of conveyance. Those remaining in the city worked throughout the night in the. snow constructing air-raid shelters.

The Finns have retired slightly along the Karelian frontier.

The Finnish troops, who recaptured Petsamo, marched throughout the night along roads deep in snow. They surprised the Russians who did not dream that a counterattack would come so soon. Finnish aircraft co-operated, heavily bombing the Russian positions. The fate of a Finnish force cut off in the vicinity of Petsamo is unknown. To-day Petsamo is now a heap of ashes. A reinforced Russian attack was expected.

A message from Moscow claimed that the Russians recaptured Petsamo, but this was officially denied. The Finns announce the recapture of Kiveapa, 33 miles behind the Karelian frontier.