SOVIET ADVANCE ON LAND

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22883, 2 December 1939, Page 13

SOVIET ADVANCE ON LAND

FINLAND’S DEFENCES TRAMPLED WOMEN AND CHILDREN MACHINE-GUNNED (UNITED PBESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received December 1, 11 p.m.) LONDON, December 1. Overwhelming Russian forces trampled swiftly across the outposts of Finland’s defences, and at the end of the first day of war were reported to be in occupation of' several strategic military bases. Latest dispatches from the Baltic war zone say that the Red Army is now advancing rapidly towards the Finnish '“Maginot Line,” 20 miles inside the frontier and is encountering some resistance. The Red Army is already in possession of a number of frontier posts, from which all communications are cut off. The hard-pressed Finns are fighting a gallant defensive action in the face of a triple onslaught from sea, land and air. The Soviet fleet has taken up stations and is hammering shore positions, and bombers are standing by in readiness for mass attacks. Sweden, whose nationals form 11 per cent, of Finland’s population, has recalled its airmen liable to military service from neighbouring countries, and has ordered them to military stations. The Finnish fleet put out from Helsinki and it is believed to have engaged the Russian fleet which occupied Hogland and other islands. The majority of reports confirm the Russian occupation of Port Terijoki on the Karelian isthmus, and the island of Seiskari. Some sources also state that the Petsamo Peninsula in the Arctic has been occupied, and that troops were landed at Hanko after some aerial bombardments. Russian aeroplanes carried the spearhead of the attack right to the Norwegian frontier, machine-gun-ning a civilian transport. Five

women and children who were caught by machine-gun fire struggled to safety across the frontier. The aeroplanes partially destroyed several small Finnish towns above the Arctic Circle, near the Norwegian frontier. The Finnish radio declared that the invaders were repelled at most points, and prevented from advancing -from the positions where they had gained a foothold. , Two tanks were destroyed on the Karelian isthmus. Gift from Turkey —The Overseas League’s tobacco, fund has received a welcome gift of two cases of cigarettes from Turkey, with a promise of more if they are desired. The gift may be called a national present, for in Turkey tobacco manufacture is a State monopoly.—Rugby, Nov. 30.* '