300 PLANES

Grey River Argus, 17 January 1940, Page 7

300 PLANES

RAID FINNISH TOWNS Twenty Set on Fire Mass Raids. FROM ESTONIAN BASES. [Aust. & N.Z- Cable Assn.] HELSINKI, January 15. Soon after dawn, scores of Soviet warplanes crossed the coast, presumably from bases in Estonia, and began bombings. (Received January 16, 10.30 p.m.) HELSINKI, January 15.

Three hundred Russian planes have left a trail of fife and desolation in the South of Finland, setting on fire twenty towns; Most of the towns set on fire are riot important from a military point of view. The raiders killed eighteen, also injuring ninety-three persons. The Russians _ machirf -.gunned vehicles and solitary, pedestrians. They also -bombed three hospitals. Their principal target was Wasa, but a streetful of shop-fronts ‘ were blown away in Wiiputi. The Finns shot down three of the bombers. They also discovered the wreckage of three others. The enemy planes ' have dropped two thousand bombs in forty-two localities drtring the bast week. The Finnish officers believe that the Russian ' operations are due to Russian anxiety ’ to exploit the air fore before Finland can obtain sufficient planes from abroad to retaliate.

Soviet Version FIRING ON TOWNS NOT MENTIONED. (Received January 16, 11.5 p.m.). LONDON, January 16. A Leningrad communique confines itself to a mention of reconnaissance work, gunfire, minor infantry engagements, bombing raids on railway junctions, and other military objectives. 1921 Class Conscripts CALLED UP BY SOVIET. (Received January 16, 9.30 p.m.) MOSCOW, January 15. The Moscow Radio states that all men who were born during the year 1921, arid all students who were born during ,1922 and are in the final year of their studies, must now register for military service.

League's Call for Finland

EIRE’S RESPONSE. (Received January 16, 9.40 p.m.) GENEVA, January 15. The League of Nations has been informed that Eire is sending one thousand sterling to Finland. U.S.A. AID FOR FINNS. MR ROOSEVELT’S PROPOSAL. WASHINGTON, January 15. Mr Roosevelt, proposing to Congress that the United States Government should aid Finland, told Congressional leaders that he was sending a communication to the Vice'-Pire-sident and the Speaker, outlining his proposals. The nature of them was not revealed, but Mr Roosevelt’s secretary declared that Mr Roosevelt, “wants something that will give material re» lief.”

Soviet Charge Renewed

AGAINST SWEDEN AND NORWAY. (Received January 16, 10.20 p.m.) MOSCOW, January 15. The Moscow Radio has again attacked Sweden and Norway. It declared that both countries were both openly helping the Finns, and that their behaviour was incompatible with neutrality. It said that they were acting on the advice of others.

Norway and Sweden PROTEST TO SOVIET. (Received January 16, 11.5 p.m.). OSLO, January 15. Norway and Sweden are protesting to the Russian Government against the violation of their neutrality on January 12 and January 14.