THUNDER OF BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 March 1940, Page 6

THUNDER OF BATTLE

WHILE PEACE KITES PLY MOVE BY GERMANY

ASSAULTS ON THE FINNISH COAST.

HEAVY TOLL TAKEN OF RUSSIANS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (.Received This Dav. 11.45 a.m.) HELSINKI. March 7. While peace kites are flying front various north European centres, Finland's skies are still filled with the smoke and thunder of battles, of which the fiercest centres around Russian attempts to throw forces on to the southern Finnish coast, half-way between Viborg and Helsinki and also on the northwest shore of Viborg Bay. The high cost of these assaults was demonstrated when Finnish planes bombed and machine-gun-ned battalions moving across the ice. The Finns claim that thirty enemy tanks were destroyed during the battle for the possession of the capes at the mouth of Viborg Bay and also for the islands on the north-western side. The Finns repulsed attackers at several mainland points. The Russians, after heavy artillery preparation, furiously but unsuccessfully made a thrust against Taibela. ■ A Finnish communique admits that the Reds north-west of Lake Ladoga captured a few islands of the Pitkaranta group. Russian pianos were active in northern and southern areas and bombed Kotka where a Red force attempted a landing. Finland has called up the 1.920 class, aged 19 to 20. Thousands of this class, which normally is not liable to be called up before the autumn, are already serving voluntarily. Women ambulance drivers from England, Canada South Africa and the United States have arrived in Finland.

MOVE BY GERMANY DANISH PAPER’S REPORT. (Received This Day. 10.45 a.m.) COPENHAGEN. March 7. A newspaper claims to be able to confirm a report that Dr Dietrich, the Nazi Press chief, has been to Stockholm for a short visit, ‘’which is naturally connected witli the Russo-Finnish dealings, which: are said to be proceeding.” SOVIET DEMANDS MORE FAR-REACHING THAN EVER. INFORMATION IN POSSESSION OF FINLAND. (Received This Day, 1.0 p.m.) HELSINKI. March 7. A Finnish communique states: “According to information in the possession of Finland, the Soviet is believed to be planning demands against Finland more far-reaching than those of test year. Details, however, are lacking.”