ATTACKS BY LAND, SEA AND AIR

Southland Times, Issue 23988, 1 December 1939, Page 7

ATTACKS BY LAND, SEA AND AIR

Soviet Invasion Starts At Three Points INCENDIARY BOMBS USED / (By Radio—l.ls a.m.) LONDON,, November 30. The severance of Soviet-Finnish relations by the Soviet culminated this morning in an invasion of Finland at three points on land and in an air attack on the Helsinki aerodrome. The denunciation of the Soviet-Finnish Non-Ag-gression Pact made it quite clear that Russia was determined to ignore the possibilities of a peaceful settlement and there was no great surprise when the attack became known. At 7.15 o’clock this morning an air-raid warning was sounded in Helsinki and many of the populace sought refuge in shelters and parks. The day was clear and sunny and was the first fine day for a week. Soviet aeroplanes circled round the outskirts of the city and flew over the air port, where five bombs were dropped. The bombs are believed to have been of the incendiary type. Anti-aircraft guns went into action, but without success. An attack was also made over the harbour, where coastal defence guns went into action. Further east, an air attack was made on the town of Viborg and bombs caused the outbreak df several fires. It is understood that in the east a number of towns and villages near the Finnish frontier have been bombed. A Russian land force entered Finland on the narrow isthmus on which is the border line separating the two countries. Further north on the Krenlein border troops also marched into Finland, where it is reported they have captured a small strip of territory. Another attack was launched on the Arctic coast, but there has been no news of the Russian progress at this point.