British Aid For Finns On Big Scale

Northern Advocate, 22 February 1940, Page 5

British Aid For Finns On Big Scale

(Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, February 21. Considerable interest and enthusiasm has been evoked in London and in the country generally by the recent appeal of the Finnish Legation for volunteers. It is known that many persons, particularly those experienced in ski-ing and mountaineering, have come forward and, according to reliably informed quarters here, material assistance which Britain is sending to Finland is on an impressive scale. It is stated that nearly 150 aircraft, of which the large majority are fighters, are being despatched, and that roughly one-third have already reached Finland. Large quantities of military equipment and ammunition which are being sent includes some 150 anti-tank rifles, with ammunition, many thousand anti-tank mines and hand grenades. nearly 30 howitzers, and as many field guns and anti-aircraft guns, some 100 machine-guns with ammunition, a considerable quantity of small arms ammunition and a number of tanks, six-inch guns and three-inch trench mortars with appropriate ammunition. In addition, a considerable quantity of non-lethal military equipment has been released, including respirators, gas decontamination items, tents, clothing and telephones, etc.