TOWN DESTROYED

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

TOWN DESTROYED

BOMBED TO FRAGMENTS RUSSIANS DRIVEN BACK SUCCESS OF FINNISH (United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright) HELSINKI, February 13 The Russians have abandoned their artillery attacks on Bjorko as too costly, leaving the task to the air force, which bombed Wiipuri almost to fragments. Three British planes piloted by Finns beat off twenty Russian bombers in Central Finland, breaking the Russian formation and driving the planes confusedly to their base. Three of the largest Finnish banks show a marked improvement in business. American donations of £150,000, of £400,000 collected, have reached Finland to help refugees. Attacks Repulsed A Finnish communique states: “We repulsed attacks immediately south of the Mannerheim Line at Summa and Taibelu. We halted the Russian advance between Muolajarvi and Punnusjarvi, where the invaders are trying another road to Wiipuri. “Our counter-attacks restored the original line, except for unimportant machine-gun posts. “We shattered a column of one hundred sledges which was trying to relieve marooned Russians on the Pitkaranta Island, in the north-east area of Lake Ladoga. “The Russians bombed Porvoo, east of Helsinki, from the air, destroying many houses.” A Swiss decree forbids the export ‘ of all war materials except under a special permit