HUGE OFFENSIVE

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21039, 15 February 1940, Page 7

HUGE OFFENSIVE

BIGGEST OF THE WAR ATTACK ON FINLAND (United Press Assn. — Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Feb. 13 Diplomatic circles are reliably informed that a huge new Soviet army of trained troops is being transported northward from three Russian areas to the Finnish frontier, says the Washington correspondent of the New York Times. Apparently preparations are being made for the biggest Russian drive of the war. Heavy troop movements from the Ukraine and White Russia toward the Mannerheim Line are in full progress, and additional mechanised units are on the way from Moscow. Diplomatic quarters beliet’e Stalin is preparing to employ the full force of Russia's vastlysuperior man power in a steamroller attempt to smash the defence.

The heavy fighting of the past 11 days is thought to be a prelude to a greater Soviet drive, with the Finns permitted as little rest as possible. It is also reported that Britain and Fiance are preparing three divisions —Polish, French** and Canadian—for possible transport to the Finnish front if the Soviet attack should succeed or if Germany should intervene in Scandinavia. It is emphasised that the latter report could not be confirmed. Hand-to-I2and Fighting The Finnish lines are intact after the heaviest concentration of fire ever seen on the 12-mile front, says a message from Helsinki. The Russians have expended 300.000 shells a day for several days. The Finns used short knives in hand-to-hand fighting. The Russian attack in the past 24 hours has reached an intensity never yet seen during the war. Finnish headquarters describe it as more fierce than any battle of the Great War. Throughout the 24 hours the Russians have hammered the line near Summa, at the rate of 3000 shells an hour. More long-range guns have been brought up to bombard Viiborg.