ORDERS TO RED ARMY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 47, 5 December 1939, Page 5

ORDERS TO RED ARMY.

VICTORY BY DECEMBER 21. MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE. LONDON, December 4. The Helsinki correspondent of the “Daily. Telegraph” reports that Moscow’s Red Army has been ordered to secure victory by December 21 M. Stalin’s 60th birthday. Reports from Moscow show that the Soviet recognises that Finland has not been conquered, and that much remains to be done. The official newspaper, “Pravda,” states that the Finns are becoming more arid more stubborn, and admits that operations have been held up. ' The Russians are also meeting with strong opposition in their infantry movements. Machine-gun emplacements are proving difficult to the invaders, while snipers are also taking their toll. Finland’s forest troops, equipped with their new automatic rifles, are also giving a good account of themselves. The Finns are taking every advantage offered by natural barriers.

SOLDTERS ON SKIS. FINNS PREPARE TO ATTACK. • STOCKMHOLM, December 4. Violent snowstorms are raging throughout Finland. Picked companies of soldiers on skis are preparing to engage the Russians. The Finnish High Command has ordered the troops to attack only to regain positions. Otherwise they are to remain strictly on the defensive. All air activity has beon reduced to a minimum.