FIFTY TOWNS BOMBED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 January 1940, Page 5

FIFTY TOWNS BOMBED

Aeroplanes yesterday damaged 50 Finnish .towns, most of which are militarily insignificant. In his message the Kiantajarvi correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph" says that Russian planes bombed Turku harbour, and five persons were killed and 20 wounded. The bombs ignited many houses, hit the Finnish steamer Leo (1243 tons) and damaged a Swedish steamer and two tugs. Thirty-two planes participated in a raid on Wasa. The bombs killed and wounded 30 persons and destroyed many houses. . A blizzard has not only prevented further raids today, but has also forced a number of Soviet planes to land in Finnish territory.

The Russians bombed Oulu last Monday. The casualties and damage are extensive.

A serious accident is reported on the Murmansk railway. where a troop train crashed down an embankment, causing hundreds of deaths, but it is not certain whether lit was due to Finish mines or the condition of the railway line. A search on the Pasvik River revealed no trace of Russian bombs allegedly dropped in Norway. Finnish hotels and restaurants have been ordered to serve simpler meals. Householders must economise in their heating. Rations are still substantial. On the Salla front the swift Finnish advance is threatening 16,000 Russians with encirclement or annihilation, a radio message reports. Finnish- ski patrols harrassed the Russian flanks. The Russian division has made a desperate attempt to break through to safety. A big battle has been raging through the night, but -in spite of their superior numbers, the Russians have not made any progress. Because of the fierce blizzard raging over the isthmus, the battle for the Mannerheim Line is now almost at a standstill. A Viborg correspondent stated that visibility on Tuesday afternoon was practically nil. Soviet bombing planes were unable to leave the ground. Several Finnish officers expressed the opinion to the correspondent that the Russians would have to abandon for the present any plans they might have to pierce the Mannerheim Line. North of Lake Ladoga the Finns claim to have improved their positions. A Russian attack supported by tanks was repulsed. On the Suomussalmi sector the Finns are still pursuing the Russians and arcalso engaged in mopping-up tactics. The position in the far north is not clear, but the Finns are advancing on Petsamo and are believed to be only 25 miles distant. The Russian communique still maintains an attitude of indifference to the activities, claiming that there is nothing of importance to report. .