FIGHT TO THE LAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 March 1940, Page 6

FIGHT TO THE LAST

VALIANT DEFENCE OF VIBORG RUSSIANS SUFFER HUGE LOSSES. MANY YOUNG FINNS KILLED ON ISTHMUS. cEF - " -5 ” (Received This Dav. 12.30 p.m.) HELSINKI. March 12. Severe fighting is reported in the •outer suburbs of Viborg. The Russians ring the city. Russia claims to have actually occupied the eastern and northern suburbs. A Finnish communique admits that the Russians have advanced slightly on the north-west shore of Viborg Bay. although attacks on all other fronts were repulsed. The defenders of Viborg are fighting magnificently. Shells are raining on the city, starting scores of fires. The Finns are withdrawing to prepared positions as masses of Russians surge forward, paying a terrible price for every yard gained. It is estimated that the Russian losses since the outbreak of war are 300,000 to 400,000 and that they are still losing men at the rate of 4,000 to 5,000 daily. The Finns are reported to have lost two thousand young officers in the .Isthmus campaign. ALLIED FORCES FIFTY THOUSAND MEN FROM FRANCE ALONE. Received This Day. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 12. Paris reports say that it is understood that M. Daladier. in offering 50,000 men, meant only the French contingent of the Allied Expeditionary Force to Finland. UNSETTLED QUESTION THE POLICY OF NORWAY & SWEDEN. Received This Day. 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY, March 12. In the event of the negotiations in Moscow breaking down, and the Finnish Government appealing to the Allies for help, the question of the facilities to be afforded by Norway and Sweden would again assume fundamental importance. In this question il is considered in London that in the event stated, a new situation would have arisen which would have to be dealt with on its merits.