Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-12-26
Russians Renew
Bombing Raids,
Shell Viipuri
Films Cross Border
In Drive Toward
VitoI Rail Line
Bv LYNN HEINZERLING,

Associated Press Foreign Correspondent.
VIIPURI, Finland, Dec. 26.-Long-
range artillery shells burst through
out the night on this seacoast city
previously abandoned by most OF
its citizens.
Numerous fires were started and
homes in the southeast section were
destroyed, but the damage was COM
paratively slight.
(Helsinki had a Commute air
raid alarm today when four
planes were sighted, but no bombs
were dropped inside the city. Dis
tant detonations indicated a
probable Russian attack on out
lying points. The clear signal
was sounded at LOS PM.
The Soviet Russian forces APP
peared to be concentrating in this
area by long-range hammering and
air raids as the Firms took the wal
into Soviet territory in another Sec
tor. driving toward the Murmansk
railroad, Russia's main supply line
to the far north.
Viipuri firemen kept a constant
vigil, fighting flames started by the
shells, apparently fired from bat
teries Is miles away.
This would place the Russian ar
tillery about 10 miles within Finnish
territory on the Karelian Isthmus
Firemen Battle Flames.
AS firemen battled flames in the
southwest section of Viipuri a shell
ripped big hole in nearby back
yard. The size of the crater, about
seven feet deep, led military experts
to believe the Russians had brought
up heavier batteries than previously
used.
Russian warplanes in four-hour
raid over the ancient city yesterday
bombed a workers section but the
only casualties known were, two
women and a girl injured. The few
remaining residents huddled into
bombproof shelters at intervals
throughout the day. Public gather
ings for Christmas celebrations were
quickly dispersed.
At least 80 warplanes flew over
the city and one was shot down by
anti-aircraft fire. Approximately
200 bombs shook the city, including
four or five 2O0-pound missiles and
incendiary bombs.
Shrapnel tore holes in many
homes in the workers district. Elec-
trical and telephone service was in
terrupted periodically, gas was cut
of completely and water pressure
reduced
Although the Russians apparently
were aiming at railway line
through the area, the tracks thus
far had not been damaged.
War Carried Into Russia.
Finnish troops pressed within IS
miles of the strategic Murmansk
Railway, as the war carried into
Russian territory in the Lieksa
area, approximately 100 miles
northeast of Viipuri
East of Lieksa, military opera
tons are taking place on the other
side of the frontier" said the Fin
nish communique which noted for
the first time that Finnish troops
had entered Russian territory.
Christmas Day Finnish successes
included an advance in the Kuhmo
district on the Vaara River, where
the Firms said our troops have
defeated two enemy companies and
the remainder of the enemy forces
are retreating."
Russian air raids were reported
at Turku (Abo). Riihimaki, Porvoo,
Kuovola, Helsinki and Tampere, a
Finnish munitions base. Three
enemy planes were reported brought
down at Tampere and at least 10
buildings were bombed in raids on
Riihimaki.
In sea warfare in the Gulf of
Finland the Films reported she'll
ing the 23,606-ton Russian battle
ship Marat by coastal batteries at
Koivisto, which at the same time
were attacked by an enemy plane. "