MINES BENEATH SNOW CARPET

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20114, 7 December 1939, Page 5

MINES BENEATH SNOW CARPET

TOLL IN RANKS OF INVADERS RUSSIANS LAUNCHING BIG OFFENSIVE DESIGN TO CUT REPUBLIC IN TWO CAPITAL READY FOR HOSTILITIES (Elec. Tel. Copyright.—United Press Assn.) (Peed. Dec. 7, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. C. In addition to the occupation of Kuolajarvi, the Russians are believed to have launched a big offensive in the Karelia and Lake Ladoga districts. The Helsinki correspondent of the Copenhagen paper National Tidende reports that the Russians have occupied Kuolajarvi. The correspondent adds that military authorities are of the opinion that this probably marks the beginning of a new Russian offensive designed to cut Finland in two. Helsinki reports admit that Russian thrusts have penetrated as much as 30 miles. Although to-day marked the twenty-first anniversary of Finland’s release from her last Russian bondage, there was no celebration to speak of in Helsinki, which, with only 50,000 people remaining, is fully prepared for a large-scale resumption of hostilities. A Finnish communique says that 64 Russian tanks were captured and 2000 Russians were killed in a single fight Finnish reconnaissance '.lights were successful. Two planes were shot down. The communique adds that the Russians are using dumdum bullets. Surrender of Thousands. Confirmation has been ‘received of the sensational Finnish raid on Murmansk. It is claimed that 15,000 , Russians surrendered owing to lack of food. Soviet bombers forced down in a wood near Salmi during a blizzard were destroyed by fire. The Finns are reported to he more than holding their own in places where the enemy cannot rely on the success of numbers and mechanised forces. Russian prisoners tremble when they refer to the “terror of the woods.” There Finnish snipers, mounted on special lightweight skis on which they shoot with deaclly aim, lurk among the trees. In addition, countless mines are artfully hidden under the snow. The Finnish ski corps may prove a most important factor. The Russians are poor skiers. Snow Aiding- Defenders It is claimed that the continued snow provides a defence equal to eight batteries of heavy artillery. The Russian losses thus far are almost certainly higher but the Finns will be severely tested by the new Russian offensives which, based on steamroller tactics, are expected to be launched at carefullyselected points and to inwvporate tanks, armoured ears and aeroplanes. It is reported that huge reinforcements of troops are being sent to the front. The Finnish and Swedish Governments have notified the League of Nations that they are mining Heir territorial waters adjacent to the Aaland Islands. Leningrad discounts the Finnish claims. The Russians admit the loss of four aeroplanes but deny the loss of tanks. The Moscow correspondent of The Times gives the opinion „ that the Finnish campaign will cost Russia 15,000 lives. It is reported from Berlin that Germany is not intervening in the Russian-Finnish dispute.