TRAIL OF FIRE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21554, 17 January 1940, Page 7

TRAIL OF FIRE

FINNISH TOWNS ATTACKED

Two Thousand Bombs

Dropped

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

(Received January 16, 11.50 p.m.) HELSINKI, January 15. Three hundred Russian ’planes left a trail of fire and desolation in south Finland, setting on fire 20 towns, most of which are not important from a military point of view, killing 18 persons and injuring 93. They machine-gunned vehicles and solitary pedestrians

and bombed three hospitals.

The principal target was Wasa, but a streetful of shopfronts was blown away in Wiiputi. The Finns shot down three bombers and discovered the wreckage of three others. The enemy dropped 2000 bombs in 42 localities during the week. Finnish officers believe that the operations are due to the Russian anxiety to exploit the Air Force before Finland can obtain sufficient ’planes from abroad to retaliate.

A Leningrad communique confines itself to the mention of reconnaissance work, gunfire, minor infantry engagements, bombing raids on railway junctions and other military objectives. Soon after dawn to-day scores of Soviet aeroplanes crossed the Finnish coast, presumably from bases in Estonia, and began bombings. Telephonic communication between Helsinki and Stockholm and Copenhagen is reported to be broken. The Finns hold strong positions. Their Karelian lines have nowhere been penetrated, but losses from artillery fire are heavy. A Finnish communique reports patrol activity and gunfire on the Karelian Isthmus on January 13, and adds that enemy attacks were repulsed. Russian air raids killed a total of 15 at Hammeerlinna, Helsinka, Lahti, and Hyvinkai. Dozens were wounded and many houses were destroyed, including the empty villa of the United States Minister (Mr H. F. Schoenfeld). The Finns shot down two machines and found the wreckage of another. FINLAND’S GREATEST NEED United Pless Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 15. President Roosevelt, speaking to Congress leaders in Washington, announced that he would send some Indication to Congress about extending American help to Finland, but he did not indicate what form that help would take. Recent reports, however, have spoken Of the repayment of war debts paid by Finland to the United States in the past. A Finnish spokesman said to-Jay that Finland’s greatest need was fighter aeroplanes to challenge the Russian air attacks, which were becoming more frequent and more severe.

The League of Nations has been Informed that Eire is sending £lOOO to Finland.