VIIPURI FALLS

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1944, Page 3

VIIPURI FALLS

RUSSIANS’ SUCCESS

More Peace Move Signs

LONDON, June 20

The Russians have captured Viipuri. M. Stalin, in an .order of the day, addressed to Marshal Govorov, says. "Forces of the Leningrad front developing their offensive, overpowered the outer and inner defences of ynpuri. and to-day carried by assault the fortress and town of Viipuri. The unit’s formations which particularly distinguished themselves will assume th e name of Viipuri. Moscow to-mor-row will salute the troops with twenty salvoes from 224 guns.’’ A Moscow communique says: in addition to Viipuri. we have captured sixtv other populated nlaces, including Nuoraa Ylasainio, and Manikkala, respectively three, six and six mi.es south-south-east, and north-east of Viipuri. We also captured seven railway stations, including Kaislahti. eight miles south of Viipuri. There were no changes on other sectors of the front.” STREET FIGHTING PRECEDES FALL. (Rec. 8.20.) LONDON,'June 20. A Russian supplementary communique states that street fighting proceeded the fall of Viipuri. Many prisoners were taken, also much booty, including a large number of guns. Swedish commentators say that the fall of Viipuri may be a prelude to Finland’s capitulation, reports a Stockholm message. They recall that in the Russo-Finnish war of 1939-40, the capture of Viipuri led to Finland’s surrender. “A WAR OF. EXTERMINATION.” LONDON, June 20. The “Daily Express” correspondent with the Red Army on the road to Viipuri, says: “It is impossible to move up the Karelian Isthmus, without beino- overwhelmed by the terrible fate the Finns have brought on themselves.” .. A Red Armv Colonel said: 'lt is a war of extermination and the only Finns I see are dead ones lying in the ruins of their fortifications which the Russian artillery has smashed. Thousands of American trucks are bearing Russian troops to Finland, adds the correspondent. Prisoners are reported to be amazed at the amount of American equipment they are seeing, because thev understood from their own Government that the United States was only luke-warm in its support of Russia.” Red Army artillerymen say that the Finnish artillery is quite inadequate. “I have seen guns captured from the Finns bearing the date 1938—but they are of a 1902 model. The Russians completely rule the air and all day 1 have not seen a single Finnish ’plane and within five minutes counted. 90 R-ussian bombers and fighters flying high towards Viipuri, while Stormoviks are constantly over the Finnish lines.” DIPLOMATIC MOVEMENTS. LONDON, June 20. Reports from Stockholm state that recent movements of Finnish diplO' mats suggest that, peace overtures are about to be made. An unexpected visit was paid to Helsinki yesterday by the Finnish Ambassador to Stockholm, and it is said that he was entrusted by the Finnish Prime Minister (M. E. Linkomies) with a special mission.

M. PAASIKIVI NEW PREMIER?

(Rec. 5.5.) LONDON, June 20. Among the changes forecast in the Finnish Cabinet is the-replacement of the present Prime Minister (M. Linkomies) by M. Paasikivi, who recently unsuccessfully conducted peace negotiations with Russia. The Minister ot Finance (M. Tanner) is also expected to go. The “Daily Mail’s” Stockholm correspondent says that M. George Gripenberg, who was for many years Minister in London, and who is now accredited to Stockholm will, be the new Foreign Minister. He has returned to Stockholm after a hurtled visit to General Mannerheim, who has acquainted him of Finland’s immediate political plans. M.. Gripenbeig has agreed to serve under M. .Paasikivi. Other members of the new Cabinet will be drawn from those who openly broached the subject of a separate peace last year, chiefly Democrats GERMANY'S WAR WITH RUSSIA. DIETMAR SPEAKS OF CHANGING FORTUNES. (Rec. 5.5.) LONDON, June 20. The German High Command radio spokesman. Colonel Dietmar, speaking on the forthcoming third anniversary of Hitler’s attack on Russia, .said: “When we first crossed the Soviet front on that fateful June 22, three years ago, German troops bore high hopes of smashing the Russian collossus with a shining German sword. We had hoped to lay this terrible ghost once and for all. “In these three years of fluctuating fighting we have touched both the peaks of achievement and the lowest depths. Ever since last summer we have been weighed down under the growing threat of a war on many fronts, Compelling us to go strict! v on the defensive. We have not been able to prevent the Russians reaching East Europe. We still have to face very heavy battles, and that probabh very soon. We await the future with calm confidence in the knowledge of our renewed strength.”