SHAM BATTLE OF SOVIET

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1928, Page 11

SHAM BATTLE OF SOVIET

ATTACK MADE BY GAS BOMBS "HOW TO REPULSE THE BRITISH.” PUBLIC NOT GREATLY INTERESTED By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. United Service. London, June 10. It is reported via Helsingfors that military manoeuvres on a large scale in the neighbourhood of Leningrad consist chiefly of aeroplane gas attacks to discover how best to repulse British air raids. A large part of Leningrad is enveloped in clouds of smoke. Intensive artillery fire is being carried out. Several accidents are reported. Th© Riga correspondent of the Times states that the Soviet has published the results of air attack on June 9. It -says that gas masks were widely distributed and ships’ sirens, locomotive whistlee and factory hooters and chtirch bells gave the alarm, but only a few of the public rushed to tho cellars as instructed, the majority treating the affair as an ordinary street spectacle. The enemy dropped gas bombs which were harmless, but tho odours had simulated the reality of gas. Masked police, firemen and members of the Red Cross were mobilised ready to carry off casualties by stretchers. . Red aeroplanes attacked the Blues, and th© enemy, despite an air fight OutBid© Leningrad, appeared over tho city and bombed the Putiloff works and factories and caused fires. The Blues retired under a fusilade of anti-aircraft, guns, after an air fight over the centre of the town.

Apparently the performance failed to reach th© specifications, only 30 aeroplanes participating, though the commandant says it was satisfactory, demonstrating an improvement.