BATTLE LULL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20142, 11 January 1940, Page 11

BATTLE LULL

RUSSIAN FLIGHT DOOMED DIVISION THRASHED BY FINNS FROST AND STARVATION MUTINY OF TROOPS ARMY CONTRASTS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Jan. 10, 2.45 p.m.) HENSINKI, Jan. 9. The war in Finland seems at a standstill to-day, this indicating that the Russians are temporarily exhausted but possibly are preparing for a new attack, either in the Salla sector or on the Mannerheim Line. A Finnish communique states that land operations were confined to patrolling and gunfire. There was inactivity on the sea and in the air. Reports from Suomussalmi agree that 7000 Russians were killed and 1000 captured, while 10,000 are fleeing to the border, where the wreckage of the Forty-fourth Division is drifting aimlessely in the wilderness, doomed to death from frostbite or starvation if they escape the patrols which are annihilating hundreds. Several Russian regiments on other fronts are reported to be deserting to the forests after shooting their officers. The soldiers complain that the commissars are comfortably housed, while privates bivouac in the snow. Many commissars have been replaced from Moscow as a result of these reports. AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES AUSTRALIAN ORDERS EXPERTS TO INQUIRE (Reed. Jan. 10, 2.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 10 Two expert equipment officers of the Royal Australian Air Force are to leave soon for England to expedite the supply of aircraft already ordered and essential to Australia’s contribution to the Empire air scheme. MINISTER TO SERVE MEDICAL DIRECTORATE AUSTRALIAN ARMY (Reed. .Tan. 10. 2.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 10. The New South Wales Minister of Health. Mr. H. P. Fitzsimons, has been called up for military duties and will be attached to the army medical directorate in Melbourne. The State Cabinet has granted him leave ff absence. WAR OFFICE CHANGE SEALS RETURNED (Reed. Jan. 10, 2.30 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 9. Mr. L. Hore-Belisha, the former Secretary of State for War, after handing over the seals of office to the King to-day visited his successor at the War Office, Mr. Oliver Stanley.

AIR FORCE CHIEF BRITISH IN FRANCE (Reed. Jan. 10, 2.40 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 9. Air Marshal A. S. Barratt has been appointed as Air Officer Commanding in Chief of the British Air Forces in France.