MORE FINNISH TOWNS TO BE EVACUATED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 50, 28 February 1940, Page 7

MORE FINNISH TOWNS TO BE EVACUATED.

THREAT TO WIIPURI.

Defenders Claim To Have

Repulsed Attacks.

BED CASUALTIES HEAVY.

United Pre*« JUwociation.—Owright. (Rfcriv«J 1.30 p.m.) HELSINKI. February 27. The Finnish High Command has ordered the evacuation of Sakkijarn, 50 miles west of Wiipuri, and al.»o all towns within a 25-mile radius from Wiipuri, in the belief that Russians from Bjorko may cross the narrowest part of Wiipuri Bay, landing troops to encircle the town.

The Red army i* believed to be concentrating 200.000 men on this front.

A Finnish communique reports: "We inflicted heavy- casualties on the Russian* during their* attack* on islands in Wiipuri Bay. We repulsed attack* at SalmcnkaiU, captured a quantity of arms and destroyed 18 tanks.

"We threw back an onslaught against Taibela. The .enemy attacked throughout the day on the Petsamo front, where we withdrew to defensive positions and to Xautsi. on the Norwegian frontier. We brought down 17 'planes."

Island Fortress Abandoned. The Bjorko Island fort re** has been definitely abandoned, «aid an earlW message* The Finns are preparing to evacuate civilians from the Lake Sakki district to a point five miles inland opposite Wiipuri aero** Wiipari Bay.

The Finn* managed to take off all guns on the island and withdrew* the garrison to the mainland. It could have held out longer, but it wn thought better to take the gun* and men to where they could be useful in«tead of making a 'spectacular last eland.

The fortress has been most valuable to the Finn*, as it guarded the western end of the Mannerheim Line.

A Finnish communique admit* the abandonment of the Bjorko Island fortress. The heroic garrison, which was short of supplied, croaeed the straits over the ice under cover of night during a blizzard and reached the Finnish lines.

A huge battle i« reported to be raging in the Petsamo area,' where numbers of ]"i;«M«n bomber* carried out maa* attacks.

Finnish aeroplane* from other front* have reinforced the defence* to helpdrire off the aMailant*.

Xinety-six Rtresian bombers raided HeUinki four limes rr*t«nUv.

A I»-iiiii-_Tji<l rnnimuniqiie wri the Russian troop* continued destroying the Finnish fortification*, inflicting hearr I ?.***'! , - • Sovict aircraft brought down If Finnish aeroplane*. »

FIRST PARTY LEAVES.

British Volunteers Oβ Way Tw Finland.

OVER 3000 MEET ENROLLED.

(Received 2 p.m>

LOXDOX. February 27. The advance party of Britioh volunteer*, who left a« private cJtiaen*. are goinp to Finland by a secret mute.

Other volunteer* are a wait in? departure. They will receive training and battle dre** after arrival.

Over 3000 volunteer*, all without dependent*, and subjected to c-a reful scrutiny, have lieen enrolled in London.