FLOWER OF RED ARMY IN FURIOUS BATTLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 306, 28 December 1939, Page 7

FLOWER OF RED ARMY IN FURIOUS BATTLE.

CLASH WITH FINNS.

Three Assaults Repulsed In \Three Hours.

DECEIVING SOVIET PUBLIC

United Prefla Association.—Copyright

(Received 2 p.m.) HELSINKI, December 27. The Bed Army, hurled back at all points, is regathering in strength in the hope of smashing the Maitnerheim Line between Lake Ladoga and the Gulf of Finland. The Finns repulsed three assaults in 24 hours, but the conflict continues to rage. A Finnish communique refers to heavy gunfire and records the capture of eight tanks and some German-made ammunition- Heavy snow halted the Russian offensive at Petsamo. The "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent says a Moscow communique briefly reports the assaults on the Mannerbehn Line yesterday as petty skirmishes and the -widespread bombing of South Finland as reconnaissance flights. Everything is being done to induce the Russian public to forget that the flower of their forces is concentrated against Finland. This conspiracy of silence is futile, despite demonstrations attending Stalin's birthday and the re#3nt elections. There is secret tension due to the public learning of ghastly casualties in what was originally represented as a mere man-hunt of Finnish policemen and White partisans by an overwhelming Red force. The Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press of America says Russia is calling up more men.

FOREIGN AID.

BEADY HELP FOB FINLAND.

(Received 2 p.m.)

LONDON, December 27. The Swiss Cabinet has donated £5000 to the Finnish Red Cross. A Stockholm message says 2000 Italians are reported to have volunteered for service in Finland. Another detachment of Swedes has gone to Finland. Two Danish Air Force pilots deserted to join the Finnish Flying Corps.

DISMISSED FROM POST.

BED DIPLOMAT IN BERLIN.

(Received noon.) MOSCOW, December 27. It is revealed that M. Astakhoff, Counsellor at the Soviet Embassy in Berlin, has been dismissed. He was Charge d'Affaires in Berlin during the negotiations for the Russo-German Pact.