AALAND ISLANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 288, 6 December 1939, Page 7

AALAND ISLANDS

BEING FORTIFIED BY FINLAND THE LEAGUE NOTIFIED LONDON, Dec. 4. The Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press states that Finland has notified the League of Nations that she is fortifying the Aaland Islands. Sweden and Finland have asked the League’s approval of this step. Last May Russia objected and the League did nothing. The Finnish spokesman points out that the Aalands are one of Finland's most vulnerable points, and any Power seizing them could close the Gulf of Bothnia, enabling Finnish cities to be bombed and isolating the country from the world. Stories of Heroism. The British United Press Helsinki correspondent, dealing with stories of heroism from Petsamo, recounts how Lieutenant Vuurima Kallela, son of the noted painter, was killed while leading a small patrol against the crew of a huge Soviet bomber forced down in eastern Finland. The Finns, after a bitter hand-to-hand conflict, killed every Russian airman. Airmen claim many successes. One reports the killing of 41 Russian soldiers with single bursts of machinegun bullets. Another airman attacked a Russian squadron single-handed and brought down one and damaged others. The Mayor of Helsinki says evacuation has proceeded so far that further bombing will be mere wanton destruction of buildings. To-day passed quietly. Nikolai Virka, correspondent of the Russian newspaper Pravda from Karelia, asserts that landmines of British origin are everywhere. Authoritative circles in London deny the employment of British landmines in Finland. I The American Associated Press Kirkenaes correspondent says that 20,000 Finnish soldiers hold the lines in North Finland. The foremost line, from Petsamo southwards, is slightly east of the so-called Arctic highway. The others are 30 miles farther west and closer to Norway, touching Salmajarvi. AH are first-line troops with I first-class equipment.