BOMBS & BULLETS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 December 1939, Page 6

BOMBS & BULLETS

DEVASTATING AIR RAIDS ON NUMBER OF FINNISH TOWNS, s TEN PLANES SHOT DOWN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 12.10 p.m.) HELSINKI, December 1. Two low-flying • planes machinegunned citizens in the streets of Helsinki, but the first was shot down, the crew vainly attempting to escape by parachutes. The second was forced to descend in the sea. The Finns claim to have shot down ten Russian planes, hiostly at Waipuri. Soviet planes apparently dropped no bombs in the morning and late afternoon raids, but the midday raid was devastating, a squadron smiting whole sections of the capital with machineguns and bombs, as firemen were searching the smouldering ruins of yesterday’s raids. Fifteen bombs were dropped in the Munksnaes District, where thirty-foot granite walls protected three munition dumps, which are undamaged. Fifteen bombs fell in the working class district of Samas. The Soviet air squadrons hailed ma-chine-gun bullets on Salmijervi, a small town joined with Kirkenaes in Norway by a bridge across the Pasvik River, as 600 Finnish refugees dashed to safety. Bombers finally demolished the bridge, cutting qff further retreat except over the frozen stream. Other towns raided were Kotka and Turku, while the oil port and naval docks at Skatuddon, near Helsinki were set on fire. Nickel works at Petsamo were burned. Thirty women and children, were killed. ANY SACRIFICE DECLARATION OF FINNISH DETERMINATION. (Received This Day, 11.30 a.m.) HELSINKI, December 1. The morning broadcast concluded with an extract from a Finnish newspaper leader:—“We are more strongly determined than ever not to allow ourselves to be subjugated. We are prepared to make any sacrifice with a clear conscience, before past and present generations.’’ SYMPATHY WITH ‘FINNS CHEERS IN HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT. (Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) BUDAPEST, December 1. All members of Parliament joined in cheers for Finland. The Nazi leader, M. Mesko, said: “Finland is forced to bear arms for the defence of its freedom.” IGNORANCE IN GERMANY OFFICIAL SUPPRESSION OF NEWS. (Received This Day. 11.35 a.m.) LONDON. December 1. A Berlin message states that the German public is still completely ignorant of the Russian invasion, which is not mentioned in the newspapers or by the radio. Neutral observers express the opinion that German officialdom is embarrassed by the latest developments, recognising that the German public sympathises with the Finns and would greatly resent a Bolshevik threat to their independence. MEDICAL SUPPLIES DESPATCHED BY PLANE FROM ENGLAND. (Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON. December 1. The British Red Cross, at the request of Madame Gripenberg, wife of the Finnish Minister in London, despatched a plane to Finland laden with medical supplies. M. Gripenberg and his wife are paying expenses.