HUGE FORCES BEING MASSED AGAINST FINNS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 February 1940, Page 7

HUGE FORCES BEING MASSED AGAINST FINNS

Steam-roller Attempt to Smash Defence PREPARATION OF ALLIED DIVISIONS AN UNCONFIRMED AMERICAN REPORT (By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright? NEW YORK, February 13. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times’’ says diplomatic circles have been reliably informed that a huge, new Soviet army of trained troops is being transported northward from three Russian areas to the Finnish frontier, apparently in preparation for the biggest Russian drive of the war. Heavy troop movements from the Ukraine ami W bite Russia toward the Mannerheim Line are in full progress, and additional mechanised units are en route from Moscow. Diplomatic circles believe Mi. Stalin is preparing to employ the full force of Russia’s vastly superior man-power in a steamroller attempt to smash the defence, leading to a belief that the heavy fighting of the past 1.1 days is the prelude to a Soviet drive with the Finns being permitted as little rest as possible. It- was also reported that England and France are preparing three divisions of Polish, French and Canadian forces for possible transport to the Finnish front if the Soviet attack succeeds or if Germany intervenes in Scandinavia. It was emphasised that the latter report could not be confirmed.