RAID CASUALTIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 January 1940, Page 5

RAID CASUALTIES

BOMBING IN HELSINKI & OTHER TOWNS MORE RUSSIAN DENIALS. FINNISH CLAIMS RIDICULED. Thirty-three people were killed and 71 wounded in air raids over Finland on Saturday, when several Russian planes were believed to have participated, and about 500 bombs were dropped, a radio message reports. Helsinki was bombed for the first time this year. A 8.8. C. commentator, describing the bombing, said that between 40 and 50 high explosives bombs were dropped on the city. One landed near the hotel at which he was quartered and completely destroyed a private house. The streets were littered with debris. One small shop had its windows shattered and looked a pathetic sight with sweets, cigarettes and other goods strewn all over the place. A big fire started and all Hie city’s brigades were called into action Io put it out. Nine Soviet planes bombed Helsinki yesterday .afternoon. Workers’ dwellings were hit but no serious damage is reported. Heavy explosions were heard on. the outskirts of the city. In a nearby distinct the American Minister’s home, 12 miles from Helsinki, was wrecked by a large incendiary bomb which went right, through the living room and buried itself in the found.itions without exploding. Several other towns in the south of. Finland were also bombed, including a railway junction 35 miles north of Helsinki. The Finnish anti-aircraft defences had been expecting the raids, because of the improved weather, and the Russian machines mot heavy fire. It was claimed that seven wore brought down. Reports of fighting refer to the Salla sector, where both sides arc said to be gathering reinforcements. Some of these reports say that the Finns are still engaged in encircling the Russians. The Russian military headuarters

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