FINNS’ OFFENSIVES

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 109, 1 February 1940, Page 10

FINNS’ OFFENSIVES

Central And Northern Sectors HEROIC LAKE DEFENCE (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright.) Received January 31, 11.50 p.m. LONDON. January 31. “The Times” special correspondent reports that a new l-innis i which was hunched yesterday nurtl,warn o! Luhn.o n. central Finland) against the Russian o4th Division, is ahea 5 markedly successful. The Finns have destroyed many tanks an killed several hundred Russians tpr . The Russians in North Finland hold much less tuiitotj than they did last month. e ;iencml \ Finnish communique says: Our coastal toiccs Russian artillery on the Karelian Isthmus, destroyed five held kitchens and killed many enemy troops. “We repulsed attacks north-cast of Lake Ladoga, lhe cncn . launched futile onslaughts on Mantsi Fort on an is am in the lake. Six feet of snow hampers the Russians in this aica a the Finns arc making a heroic stand, defying every a ’ tempt to invest it, despite the presence of two Soviet destroyers.

The Finns shot down 2.1. enemy aeroplanes in two days and lost one. The Russian offensive north-east of Rake Ladoga has severely taxed the resources of the Finnish field hospitals and hospital trains. Russian airmen on the southern front are reported to be using dumdum bullets. A Moscow communique reports the shooting down of seven Finnish planes.

It is confirmed that the Soviet raids over Finland on Monday were the most destructive of the war. Two hundred planes took part, and 800 bombs were dropped in 33 places. According to the Finnish communique 30 people were killed and 50 injured. Heavy material damage was inflicted. The raids were most destructive in south-west Finland, and at one place a tramcar was .struck while the passengers were alighting; several were killed. Nearby, two women were killed as they crossed the street. A Finnish communique says that Russian airmen are not only bombing unprotected towns in the country but are also machine-gunning civilians and bombing hospitals. In some areas Finnish military commanders have ordered ibe removal of the Red Cross flag from hospitals as they believe the emblem only makes the hospitals more dangerous. The Russian attacks north-east or Lake Ladoga are becoming fewer and weaker. The Finns are in possession of strong positions and announce successful counter-attacks. The Finnish communique reports heavy Russian losses and the destruction of two Soviet tanks. . More Finnish Air Raids. Finland’s air force, in spite of its small size, is again striking back against the Russians. An official Finnish statement issued on Tuesday night stated that a harbour and railway stations had been bombed and damage done. Another report states that the harbour is Kronstadt (which was also reported to have been bombed on the previous day). , A. Russian communique reports that nothing of importance occurred on the front, but that Soviet aeroplanes made successful raids on Finnish reserves. This is contrary to the Finnish claim that 21 Russian planes were brought down.

The Finnish civil air commander has said that since the war began 407 civilians have been killed by Russian bombs and that during the war 300 Russian aeroplanes have been brought down. —By radio.

ST. PAUL’S SERVICE

Intercession For Finnish People (British Official Wireless.) (Received January 31, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, January 30. A national service of intercession and witness for the Finnish people in StPaul's Cathedral on Thursday will consist. of the English Litany sung in procession, to be followed by special intercessions led by the Archbishop of Canterbury from the pulpit, which he will broadcast not only to Britain, but also to S.indinavia and Finland. The Archbishop of Canterbury will read a special message from Dr. Luther, Archbishop of Finland. The Lord .Mayor and Sheriffs will attend in state, as will also I he Finnish Minister and the Danish. Dutch, Norwegian. Swedish, and Swiss Ministers, the Chancellor of the University of London, the Metropolitan Germanos of Thyateria, Chaplains of Scandinavia and oilier - foreign communities in London. and it delegation of the British Free Churches.