NEW FINNISH OFFENSIVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 February 1940, Page 5

NEW FINNISH OFFENSIVE

OPERATIONS IN CENTRAL SECTOR

Marked Success Already Reported SOVIET ATTACKS NEAR LAKE LADOGA REPULSED (By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright.) LONDON. January 31. “Tim Times” special correspondent reports that a new Finnish offensive, which was launched yesterday northward of Knlinio (in central Finland) against the Russian 54th Division, is already markedly snecessful. The Finns have destroyed many tanks and killed several hundred Russians. 'l'lm Russians in North Finland hold much less territory 1 lian they did last month. A. Finnish communique says: “Our coastal forces silenced Russian artillery on the Karelian Isthmus, destroyed five field kitchens and killed many enemy troops. “We repulsed attacks north-east of Lake Ladoga. The enemy launched futile onslaughts on Mant,si Fort on an island in the lake. Six feet of snow hampers the Russians in this area and Hie Finns are making a heroic stand, defying every Russian attempt to invest it, despite the presence of two Soviet destroyers.

The Finns shot down 21 enemy aeroplanes in two days and lost one.

The Russian offensive north-east of Lake Ladoga has severely taxed the resources of the Finnish field hospitals and hospital trains. Russian airmen on the southern front are reported to be using dumdum bullets. A Moscow communique reports the shooting down of seven Finnish planes.

It is confirmed that the Soviet raids over Finland on Monday were the most destructive of the war. Two hundred planes took part, and 800 bombs were dropped in 33 places. According to the Finnish communique 30 people were killed and 50 injured. Heavy material damage was inflicted.

The raids were most destructive in south-west Finland, and at one place a tramcar was struck while the passengers were alighting; several were killed. Nearby, two women were killed as they crossed the street. A Finnish communique says that Russian'airmen are not only bombing unprotected towns in the country but are also machine-gunning civilians and bombing hospitals. In some areas Finnish military commanders have ordered the removal of the Red Cross flag from hospitals as they believe the emblem only makes the hospitals more dangerous. The Russian attacks north-east of Lake Ladoga are becoming fewer and weaker. The Finns are in possession of strong positions and announce successful counter-attacks. The Finnish communi quo reports heavy Russian losses and the destruction of two Soviet tanks.

Finland's air force, in spite of its small size, is again striking back against the Russians. An official Finnish statements issued on Tuesday night stated that a harbour and railway stations had been bombed and damage done. Anothei - report states that the harbour is Kronstadt (which was also reported to have been bombed on the previous day). A Russian communique reports that, nothing of importance occurred on the front, but that Soviet aeroplanes made successful raids on Finnish reserves. This is contrary to the Finnish claim that 21 Russian planes were brought, down.

The Finnish civil air commander has

said that since the war began 407 civilians have been killed by Russian bombs and that during the war 300 Russian aeroplanes have been brought down. —By radio.