FIERCE FIGHTING

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20991, 19 December 1939, Page 7

FIERCE FIGHTING

WAVE AFTER WAVE SOVIET FORCE SMASHED RUSSIAN ARMY PURGE tUnited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 19, 1 p.m.) HELSINKI, Dec. 18 The Finns smashed the Russians across the Taibola river in the twelfth day of battle for the Mannerheim line, which is now' familiarly known as Finland’s “Verdun.” The Russians day and night assaulted the Finnish position with wave after wave of tanks, artillery and infantry, but the Finns retain the north bank and the mouth of the river. There is evidence of an intensive purge in the Leningrad Command, to which is ascribed the new tactics of heavy frontal attacks. The pockets of dead Russian officers contained notes threatening summons before a tribunal unless the advance was speeded up. Stalin is reported to be dissatisfied with Marshal Voroshiloff’s generalship.

A Russian battalion of 800 men mutinied, shooting their officers and political commissars, some troops escaping to the Finnish lines.

HELP FOR FINNS

GIFT FROM CANADA AMBULANCES TO BE SENT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 19, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 18 The sum of 9000 dollars has been presented from Canada to help the Finns, whose greatest need is for ambulances. Four are shortly being sent from Britain and will be the first to reach Finland from abroad. Of this sum the Canadian Red Cross has contributed 5000 dollars, and the rest has been sent by Finns in Canada.

AIR FORCE CASUALTIES

TWO NEW ZEALANDERS KILLED-ON ACTIVE SERVICE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlg-ht) LONDON, Dec. 17 The Air Ministry announces the following casualties “on various dates”:— Previously reported missing now reported killed in action, two. Previously reported missing, believed killed, now reported killed in action, one. Wounded in action, one. Missing, believed killed in action, two. Missing, one. On active service: Killed, 20. Missing, believed killed, two; died, 11. The list (the 14th) includes two New Zealanders, namely, Pilot-Offi-cer K. P. Hamilton, of Gisborne, and B. Graham, of Waipukurau, says the United Press Association. Both were killed on active service.

GERMAN REPORTS

LIVELIER ARTILLERY FIRE AIR RAIDS ON ENGLAND (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 19, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 18 A German army communique reports livelier artillery fire on both sides of the Western Front. A reconnaissance plane advanced as far north as the Shetland Islands and as far south as Portsmouth, and chased several patrol boats, one of which was bombed and sunk. English planes attempted to reach the German coast. A QUIET NIGHT SOME ARTILLERY FIRE (Official Wireless) (Received Dec. 19, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 18 A French official communique states: “There was a quiet night, with some artillery fire.”