Recapture of Petsamo Reported

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 1, 2 January 1940, Page 7

Recapture of Petsamo Reported

REVOLT BREAKS OUT IN RUSSIAN LINES Received Monday, 9.30 p.m. LONDON, December 31. The Rome radio announces that the Finns are reported to have recaptured Petsamo, on the far northern front. Finland defiantly holds her own, heartened by semi-official Finnish news that a revolt has broken out in the Russian lines due to defective discipline among the troops in the Kuelojavbi district, where Russian warplanes were forced to bomb and Russian machine-guns to fire on their own troops. Two infantry regiments fiercely fought each other, but this may be due to mistaking each other for Finns. Reports from Copenhagen declare that the discontent and sabotage rife in the front ranks of the Red Army are extending to civilians behind the lines. Finnish reports before the announcement of the revolt stated that the Russians were bringing up more guns on the Kuolojarvi front, but disastrous confusion prevailed. Nevertheless, the Russian Command is ruthlessly expediting the action with picked troops and skirunning sharpshooters drawn from Siberia. Men skilled in guerilla warfare are arriving from the Caucasus and regiments of Cossacks are replacing the cumbersome tank battalions. Everything indicates an early resumption of the Russian onslaughts. The Finnish Intelligence Service anticipates an offensive on the south end of the Mannerheim Line, the attack at the northern end having failed. This is expected to employ 100,000 Russians, but the Finns are prepared for anything, even parachute landings, while the coastal batteries should be able to enfilade the Reds.