GHOST PATROL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 April 1940, Page 6

GHOST PATROL

SECRETS OF FINNISH FORCE. SHOOTING FROM SKIS. LONDON, January 13. Secrets of the daring tactics used by the Finns in attacking the Russians were revealed this week by the leader of a Finnish “ghost” patrol. . The man. Aarne Valkama, was former ski-shooting champion of the world. He led in the forests of Salla one of & lhose white-cloaked Finnish patrols; which, almost invisible, attack again and again. He lay this week against the pillows of a field hospital bed. wounded through the ribs, and the right hand by Russian machine-gun bullets. This is bis story: “Ever since 1924 our instincts told us to prepare with all our might for a conflict with Russia. We studied in the army and the civil guard every possible ruse of this northern warfare. "We especially studied the art of shooting from skis at speed. We trained ourselves to unsling our rilles, lean them against our left arm whore they are held in position by a small leather band, ami shoot as we move downhill al. full speed. Wo trained at, putting .targets set low in the snow and small floating balloons." Valkama, a house-painter by trade, holds the rank of a corporal. He told how these ghost patrols are composed of the same men, who always work together. They come to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. One man will have bettor eyesight, another bettor hearing, “’lie third perhaps wilt be the best shot.

They go out in the evening and ski through the forests till dawn watching Russian movements. Often when they come back from patrol they’ (ala* part in the main attacks.