INVASION OF FINLAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 44, 1 December 1939, Page 5

INVASION OF FINLAND

BOMBING OF HELSINKI MANY CIVILIANS DEAD FINE BUILDINGS DESTROYED (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11 a.m.) HELSINKI, November 30. The Russians have invaded Finland. The compulsory evacuation of Helsinki will probably bfe ordered. Large numbers of people are already leaving. Reports of the fighting are meagre, but the Russians stated that they have occupied various sections on the frontier. Damage to Helsinki from bombs is extensive. The Polytechnic ■ College, one of the city’s finest buildings, has been destroyed and several large blocks of flats have been wrecked. Most of the bombs : fell in the south-west quarter of the city, where an area embracing 12 streets is ablaze. Windows were shattered over a radius N-of a mile. The Soviet Legation members are still in the city. It is believed they will be held as hostages till the Finnish Legation members in Moscow return. Ilf is estimated that 10 Russian ’planes were shot down during the day. yi'/ The ; Finnish fleet put out from Helsinki, it is believed to engage the .Russian fleet, which occupied Hogland and other islands. Leaflets dropped by raiders declared: “Field-Marshal Mannerheim must go. Then peace will come. The Soviets will not harm the finnish people, whose disaster is due to wrong leadership”' p-..Field-Marshal Mannerheim has been appointed Commander-in-chief of the Finnish troops. >