HUGE RUSSIAN FORCES

Southland Times, Issue 23989, 2 December 1939, Page 5

HUGE RUSSIAN FORCES

Finnish Outposts Trampled

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

LONDON, November 30.

Overwhelming Russian forces trampled swiftly across the outposts of Finland’s defences and at the end of the first day of the war were reported to be in occupation of several strategic military bases. Helsinki was bombed three time's and was on fire at several points tonight. The lumber port Kotka also was set ablaze by bombs and there are heavy casualties among the civilian populations.

Latest despatches from the war zone say that the Red Army is now advancing rapidly towards the “Finnish Maginot Line” 20 miles inside the frontier. It is encountering some resistance, but already is in possession of a number of frontier posts, from where all communications are cut off. The hard-pressed Finns are fighting a gallant defensive action in the face of a triple onslaught from sea, land and air. The Soviet fleet has taken up stations and is hammering shore positions, while bombers are standing by in readiness for mass attacks.

The Foreign Office spokesman at Helsinki announced dramatically at 9.20 a.m.: “War is on.” The air-raid sirens then sounded, traffic ceased and steelhelmeted wardens took control. The United States offer of good offices in the Russo-Finnish dispute reached the American Embassy in Moscow shortly before hostilities opened. It was then stated that the offer would be presented to the Soviet Foreign Office later in the morning. It is reported that Russian artillery opened fire on Finland early in the morning, near the border station, of Terijoki. A report states that Wiipupi was bombed. DROPPING OF BOMBS The correspondent of the British United Press at Helsinki airport says that five bombs were dropped on Helsinki. The air-raid warning sounded at 9.25 a.m. The people went to the air-raid shelters. One twin-engined Russian aeroplane was seen and Finnish anti-aircraft guns opened fire. Earlier, six Russian aeroplanes circled over the harbour entrance. Russia launched air, land and sea attacks simultaneously. Troops crossed the frontier at 9.15 a.m. local time. Apart from air action, the invasion was directed at three points: (1) Artillery fire on Souyarvi, north of Lake Ladoga; (2) An infantry thrust in the far north at Rybachi and Kola; (3) From the sea, warships shelling the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland. FREEZING OF GULF Messages from Moscow indicate that Soviet military leaders expressed the

opinion that if Finland was to be brought to her knees action must be taken without delay, because the Gulf of Finland would be frozen within a month. The eastern section of the Gulf already is freezing. The Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press says that he was blown off his feet in an hotel during the second air raid, in which the centre of the capital was bombed. The Russians apparently were aiming at the railway station. The correspondent counted 14 bombs. One wrecked the high glass dome of the Hotel Torni near the station. One omnibus was struck and many passengers were blown to bits.