FINNS ADVANCING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 January 1940, Page 5

FINNS ADVANCING

CLEARANCE TO FRONTIER IN CENTRAL AREA

MORE DETAILS OF RECENT FIGHTING. CONSTRUCTION OF FOREST TANK TRAPS. By Telegraph -Press Association—Copyright LONDON, January 10. The latest Finnish communique states: “The Russians are strengthening their defences on the Karelian Isthmus. “We dispersed a battalian, killing 200 and capturing 40 men at Ruhtinaaki, north-west of Lake Ladoga. Our troops are advancing on Raate and have cleared the area to the frontier from Soumussalmi.

Enemy aeroplanes carried out minor unsuccessful raids on coastal objectives. The Finnish forts near Lake Ladoga and Koivisto participated in the land operations.”

It is now learned, according to a radio message, that when the 163rd Russian division was surrounded and destroyed, the 44th Division was only a few miles away. After defeating the 163rd division, the Finns threw in all their forces against the 44th division. The remnants of both divisions are now being driven back over the frontier. A correspondent states that for four miles along the road in this sector Russian dead were strewn. The road was so crowded with war materials that it was hardly possible to move. The Finns are now building defences in this area. Their tanks traps consist of sawing through trees at a height of six feet and allowing them to fall in the direction from which attacks are expected.

The situation after the past few days’ fighting can be summed up as a standstill in the far north because of the adverse weather and on the Manner-, heim line because of the inability of the Russians to attack the fortifications with any hope of success.

In the central sector fighting is still continuing on a heavy scale at Salla and also north of Lake Ladoga. Here the Finns are said to be holding a line approximating to their frontier.

All reports are agreed on the heavy quality of the fighting at Salla. According to one report the Russians are putting up stiffer resistance, but other sources state that the Russians are cut off from their food supplies, and are starving and freezing to death. It is reported from Italian sources that the railway line between Leningrad and Murmansk, the Russian port in the Arctic, has again been cut by Finnish patrols, at a number of points. There are signs that the recent spell of bitterly cold weather has ended. The temperature has risen, but it is now inclined to fall. This may be a prelude to a heavy fall of snow. Members of the Soviet Women’s Secret Service Agency, it is stated, have been captured after being landed by parachute behind the Finnish lines.

Russian attacks, which were preceded by artillery fire, have been repulsed by the Finns in the northern area. A few bombs have been dropped on small towns.

The Italian aeroplanes for Finland which Germany held up are being returned to Italy by the German Government. BRITISH LABOUR MISSION TO FINLAND AND SCANDINAVIA. LONDON, January 10. The British National Council of Labour, in response to an invitation, is sending Sir Walter Citrine (secretary of the Trade Union Congress), Mr P. J. Noel-Baker (Labour Party), and Mr John Downie (Co-operative Unions) to examine the situation in Finland and also to contact with the Labour movements in Scandinavia.

TRAVEL BY AIR SITUATION TO BE EXAMINED AT FIRST HAND. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m). RUGBY, Janaury 11. At the invitation of Finnish Labour and Trade Union movement, three British Labour leaders will shortly travel by air to Finland and spend 10 to 14 days examining the situation at first hand and discussing ways in which British workers can give practical support. The deputation will com-' prise Sir Walter Citrine, General Secretary of the Trades Union Council. Mr Philip Noel Baker, representing the Labour Party and Mr John Downie of the Co-operative Union. Mr Downie has an intimate knowledge of Finland and speaks of Finnish and Scandinavian languages fluently. RUSH OP VOLUNTEERS .REPORTED IN SWEDEN. STOCKHOLM, January 10. There was a rush of volunteers today as the result of the recent Finnish victory at Suomussalmi. MOSCOW TALKS PUBLICATION OF BRITISH WHITE PAPER. When the House of Commons meets next Tuesday. Daventry reports, it is expected that the White Paper, dealing with the Anglo-French-Russian negotiations will be available to mem-1 bers. It will reveal the full story of the breakdown in the Moscow talks, the reason being the Soviet attitude toward the Baltic States.

ATTACKS REPULSED MORE RUSSIAN BOMBING RAIDS. (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) HELSINKI. Januaury 11. A communique slates that Russian attacks at Petsamo and Salla were repulsed. The Russians bombed the Gulf of Finland coast, injuring six women.