WAR IN FINLAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 January 1940, Page 5

WAR IN FINLAND

LAND FIGHTING DIES DOWN Maintenance of Defensive Lines LITTLE DAMAGE DONE IN RUSSIAN AIR RAIDS ENEMY SUPPLY COLUMNS DESTROYED IN COASTAL AREAS (By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright.) LONDON, January C>. The Finns maintain their southern front from the coastal battery at Bjorko, past Lake Mnolaa to Taipale on the west, shore of Jjake Ladoga ; also their south-eastern front north of Lake Ladoga from Kitela northward to Loimola and north-east to Snojaerva, states a message from Helsinki. A Finnish communique reports that artillery activity on the isthmus repulsed Russian attacks on the ice in Jjake Muolaa and Taipale sector. Fighting progresses on the east front where Finns destroyed two tanks and one armoured car at Suomossalmi, and took a quantity of medical stores, 11 tanks, two guns, 30 motor lorries and a quantity of ammunition which the Russians had abandoned. Finnish coastal forts destroyed enemy supply columns and field batteries. Russian damage by bombs is relatively small, in view of extensive raids.. Several civilians were killed at Mikkele. ' Finnish fighters and anti-aircraft batteries brought down 16 enemy planes in two days. It is officially stated that 1000 bombs'liave been dropped on the capital since the outbreak of war, killing .100 persons and damaging 200 houses.

RUSSIANS DIGGING IN

The Russians are digging trenches and erecting barbed wire entanglements opposite the centre of the Mannerheim Line, signifying at least a temporary abandonment of their hopes of a successful offensive in this sector and also, possibly, fears of a Finnish advance toward Leningrad. A communique states that two Russian companies north-east from Lake Ladoga attacked but were repulsed with the loss of 150 killed. Two hundred and fifty were killed at Suomussalmi. Fighting continues on other fronts. Nine raiding planes dropped 22 bombs on Voikka. near Kuovola, killing two civilians. Air attacks were made on other populous centres, but did small damage. An official Russian communique states: “Nothing important has occurred. Our scouts destroyed a Finnish detachment of 50 men in the Petrozavodsk sector. Our aircraft carried out a series of successful flights and brought down 10 planes. In Finland, a Daventry report states, the fighting on land has died down. Beyond local engagements and the usually heavy Russian fire on the Mannerheim Line, there is little tb report. Last night’s Russian communique reported patrol activity and successful air raids on Finnish reserves and communications. BRITAIN SENDING ARMS TRANSIT THROUGH NORWAY AND SWEDEN. SCANDINAVIAN VOLUNTEERS. LONDON, January 6. Conferences continue daily in London between British and Scandinavian delegates with a view to facilitating assistance to Finland.

Britain is sending arms and munitions to Sweden in addition, to assisting Finland. The “Daily Telegraph” understands that Sweden and Norway will ensure the safe transit of arms and other supplies to Finland if they are shipped to Norway. A trainload of Swedish volunteers has left for Finland. The Stockholm correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that General Ernt Linder, commander of the Swedish volunteers, departed for- the front, accompanied by Carl Etrensvaerd, Sweden’s outstanding tank corps strategist, who resigned in order to help the Finns. A hundred thousand Swedish workers forfeited their customary holiday marking the Feast of-Epiphany today and gave their wages, amounting to £120,000 to help Finland. The first group of 153 Norwegian volunteers has gone to Finland. The .prohibition against recruiting in Norway has now been removed. Many Estonian officers have informed their commanders that they will desert if they are forced to fight against Finland. SOVIET SUBMARINES OPERATING IN THE GULF. OF BOTHNIA. EXPLANATION ASKED FOR BY SWEDEN. STOCKHOLM, January G. Sweden is requesting an explanation from Russia why Russian submarines are operating in the Gulf of Bothnia. All employees of the Swedish civil service, railways and post office, who have Communist leanings are being dismissed. This it is estimated will clear out 25 per cent of the employees. A submarine which is believed to be Russian shelled and set on fire the Swedish steamer Finris, near Oulou. The crew of 15 was rescued.