DEFENCE SUSTAINED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 February 1940, Page 5

DEFENCE SUSTAINED

FINNS HOLDING MANNERHEIM LINE Persistent and Heavy Attacks Repelled SOVIET CLAIM OFFICIALLY DENIED PATROLS HUNTING DOWN ENEMY PARACHUTISTS (By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright? LONDON, February 8. The Finns today repulsed two attacks on Summa (midway across the Karelian Isthmus) and maintained their positions elsewhere. They smashed a battalion near Raate, killing 250 men. Admiral Tributz, commander of the Russian Baltic fleet, declared that the offensive would continue till the. forces in the Mannerheim Line were annihilated. Finnish patrols combed the territory for parachutists between Rovaniemi and the Gulf of Bothnia on the. north-western side of the Finnish “waist.” Another penetrated Russia to the shores of the White Sea. An official Finnish statement, Daventry reports, denies that reecnt Russian attacks had pierced the Mannerheim Line. Soviet attacks are still persisting, but the Finns are holding them off. A neutral correspondent reports that in some areas the Finns have retaken some ground.

The Russians’ latest attacks are as persistent and as heavy as any that have been made, but the Finns are still holding up the weight of Russian numbers and artillery. The losses suffered by the Russians in these attacks are very heavy. In one day’s fighting it was estimated that the Russians lost between 3000 and 4000 men. Farther north another Russian division is in danger. This would explain two attempts that have been made by small Russian forces to cross the frontier, apparently with the object of relieving the harassed division. On the central front fighting is still going on near Suomussalmi, and here again the Finns are said to have defeated a Russian- battalion. In the Salla section, Swedish volunteers have taken over a section of the front from Finnish soldiers, who have been fighting almost continuously since the Russian invasion began. There are indications that the Finnish Command regards as a serious threat the Russian ski patrols being dropped by parachute. Finnish civilians have been warned to co-operate in destroying any such patrols. The comparative absence of Russian air raids, recently is regarded as a tribute to the foreign planes which have arrived to assist the Finns. It is stated that the Russians have formed a very healthy respect for the qualities of the British Gloster Gladiator. POLISH VOLUNTEERS CONTINGENT ON ITS WAY FROM FRANCE. MORE HELP FROM DENMARK. It is announced in Paris, a radio message states, that volunteers from the Polish Army, which has been built up in France, are on' their way to Finland. The size of • the expedition has not been revealed, but it includes Ame- . rican Poles who have arrived recent- ' ly from the United States. Among them are understood to be some high- ' ly skilled mechanics. Another batch of Danish volunteers ( has left Copenhagen for Finland. It is also stated that Danish pilots are , to be formed into a special squadron. Nearly 10,000 have volunteered for civilian work to replace Finns who ' have been called to the colours. ] ' 1 HOPES OF SUCCESS i SIR W. CITRINE’S REPORT. ( 1 c INTELLIGENT AND COURAGEOUS t PEOPLE. t Speaking on his return with the f Labour delegation which visited Fin- c

land, Daventry reports, Sir Walter Citrine said that he had brought back a lasting impression of a resolute, intelligent and courageous people. “They believe that if they receive the help that is confidently expected from other countries, they can successfully resist the Russian invasion.

AMERICAN GUNS NOT TO BE SOLD DIRECTLY TO FINLAND. ‘ STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) WASHINGTON, February 9. President Roosevelt told a Press conference that he doubted whether the United States will sell guns directly to Finland, because that country is engaged in armed conflict. He confirmed that the recent White House conference discussed surplus supplies. FINNISH REPORT LINE DECLARED INTACT. HEAVY LOSSES SUFFERED BY ENEMY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) HELSINKI, February 9. A communique states that the Finns repulsed all attacks. The enemy suffered heavy losses. Nineteen tanks were destroyed. The Finns declare that the Mannerheim Line still holds out, even Sumna, which is regarded as the most vulnerable spot. CLAIM & REPLY RECENT SOVIET ADVANCE. PARACHUTE SPIES CAUSING MUCH DAMAGE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 9. A Soviet communique claims an advance resulting in the occupation of a fortified area in the Sumna district, while a Stockholm report says the Russians on Thursday forced the Mannerheim Line at one point, resulting in hand to hand fighting in which they were quickly driven out. Finnish ski patrols captured a number of Russian parachutists behind the lines at Rovanieme wearing Finnish uniforms and equipped with shortwave radio equipment for tapping telephone lines. The Finns report that parachute spies are causing much damage in cutting communications, etc.