IN CAMPAIGN AGAINST FINLAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 January 1940, Page 5

IN CAMPAIGN AGAINST FINLAND

Russians Massing Many Planes and Guns TALK OF GERMAN MEDIATION AFTER MAJOR VICTORY AIR BOMBARDMENT OF SUPPLY LINES (By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, -hiunary 14. Knssian m'ovemmits in Finland now indicate preparation for a determined effort to end the tale of failure by concerted attack's on all fronts with heavily reinforced troops supported by aii l bombardments. .Moscow dispatches suggest that Russia would gladly accept. German mediation, provided she was first able Io secure a major victory. Authoritative German circles suggest that Scandinavia, is willing to mediate, but in view of the lack 01. confirmation outside Germany this is regarded as clumsy kiteflying dictated by Germany’s desire to see the end ol the Finnish conflict and minimise the necessity of German experts going to Jinssia.

A Helsinki message reports that. Ihe Russians are massing 1000 planes in Leningrad and Paldiski (possibly Ba.ltiski, .Estonia).

Au air raid on Turku on Thursday was a prelude to intensive air straffing of south-western Finland, aimed childly at the railways for the purpose of disorganising the supply lines in this section of the country. The reverberations were felt from heavy bombing of gulf islands 30 miles distant. .Eighteen bombers destroyed a radio station at Lahti.

The Russian preparations elsewhere include the mustering of 2000 field guns on the Karelian .Isthmus, where 20 divisions totalling 400,000 men face the Mannerheim Line. The Russian soldiers now wear white mantles, while sledges are replacing some of their motorised units. The most, modern skis have been reqnisilioned and the Finns have captured thousands of book's entitled: “How to Ski.” The armoured cars are now painted white and the big gnus are covered with white cotton. Nevertheless, the Finns maintain their control of the central sectors wrecking isolated units and cutting communications.