AIR BOMBING IN FINLAND

Southland Times, Issue 24027, 18 January 1940, Page 7

AIR BOMBING IN FINLAND

SOUTHERN AREAS OF REPUBLIC

RUSSIANS DEMOLISH HOSPITAL 30 PERSONS BLOWN TO PIECES (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received January 17, 9.30 p.m.) HELSINKI, January 16. The Russians bombed the southern area of Finland for the fifth successive day. Civilians stood for hours in air raid precautions cellars on the coldest day for 10 years. Russian airmen mercilessly demolished the Aekenaes hospital and set fire to houses in Hanku and Turku. They blew 30 persons to pieces when a bomb landed in a crowded shelter at Trenth.

The Finnish communique states that between 70 and 80 Russian aeroplanes bombarded interior towns. The Finns bombed enemy troops.

The Government counter-es-pionage campaign resulted in the execution of a number of Russian agents. The German commercial attache resigned in order to join the Finnish Army. The Estonian population of the Russian occupied port of Baltiski

has been evacuated. The Estonian Minister in Moscow protested against the Russian capture of the Estonian ship Vega. A Russian submarine sank the Kassari and several Estonian fishing boats. Many members of the crew were drowned and machine-gunned. One thousand bombs and more than one thousand heavy shells struck Bjorke, which is the site of the Finnish heavy naval guns guarding the right wing of the Mannerheim Line.

The fighting on the Karelian Isthmus is confined to artillery activity. The Finns have destroyed the' Soviet Field Headquarters, have wiped out two patrols totalling 80 men, and have halted two Soviet battalions which are attacking on the Isthmus. They have disrupted the lines of supply and also the mechanised columns.

The King and Queen of Britain and Queen Mary have contributed to the Finnish Fund. Large advertisements appeared in the Swedish Press calling on young Swedes to volunteer for service in Finland. FREEZING WEATHER IN EUROPE LONDON, January 17. Freezing weather has gripped Europe. Estonia is experiencing the coldest winter since 1866. The temperature is 82 degrees below Fahrenheit. Bitter winds sent Moscow’s temperatures to 76 degrees below freezing point and closed all the schools. Denmark records temperatures of 50 degrees below freezing point, resulting in deaths, immobilizing shipping in the harbours and causing a coal shortage. The censorship prohibits the mention of Britain’s weather.