PROGRESS OF WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 300, 20 December 1939, Page 7

PROGRESS OF WAR

BRITISH FEATS ON LAND AND IN THE AIR GRIM DEFENCE OF FINNS AGAINST RUSSIA

[ British Official Wfreleei. 1 RUGBY, Dec. 18. In a review of tne war during th I past month, the military correspond jent oi 'lhe limes says mat lhe mos [interesting British developments wen i the transfer of British troops loom re I serve to iront-line positions, anu m exploits of the Koyai Air Force in i./ North Sea. British detachments had taken uj their positions in the front line, am were practically under French command. The outposts where they were stationed were tar apart, separa i by a wide no-man’s-lanu k wnich c-.isu liable patrol work was being carried out. The placing oi British troops in the iront line gave lhe lie to the heavy German jOKe mat British troops were in France lor ornament. * British troops in lhe Maginot Line were not manning heavy artillery, which was in the hands of specially trained French troops. Heligoland Attack.

The attack on Heligoland by British planes was described as one of the most brilliant feats of inc war, particularly as it was carried out by bombers. in the past bombers haci come off worst against lighters, particularly the German bomoers wmen had attacked British coastal regions. But in the attack on Heligoland British bombers hud 1 ought oil enemy fighters. So far the R.A.F. had proved superior to the Germans in both lhe quality of aircraft and in the calibre of the pilots, but it was obvious that if the German aircraft had deficiencies these would be rectified as soon as possible. However, happenings in [the air to date had given great encouragement to the Allies. Finland's struggle against overwhelming odds was highly praised by the commentator. li. now seemed clear that lhe Russians had prepared lhe attack months before the invasion and had considered that inc ■meat of her huge superiority would overawe the Finns. Instead lhe Finns had resisted with great, skill, and the invasion was beginning to flounder. “Greatest in World.’’ I The performance of the Soviet troops to date was an ironic comment on the army which was claimed to be the greatest in lhe world. The Russians had been compelled to bring up reinforcements, anu so tne second phase of the war had begun. The problem of the invaders, however, was not an easy one. Because Leningrad was the terminus of a n/<.work of railways, the attack on the Karelian Isthmus was lhe most favourable one lor Russia, but e./e--where she was laced with diiiicultics. On the Karelian Isthmus, also, the Finns were defending cleverly. in this region they had strong aciences. North of Lake Ladoga tne lighting was more open. In me north, however, the Red Army was making steady progress. The Finns were not actually lighting set <’ngagements, but were adopting harassing tactics. But. lhe \uds were heavuy against the Finns. Unless considerable aid were received from outside she must lose. Her only other ally was the winter. This had made the task of the Russians very difficult, particularly as they lacked tents, and there I seemed little doubt that many ot [the troops were suffering great pri-