Helsinki, Mar. 7.
Viipuri Bay has now turned into a bloody battlefield, as the Russians are exerting every effort to gain a foothold on the shore.
Soviet batteries have moved forward over the ice, and are pouring projectiles against the Finnish positions. The Red Army is supported by numerous tanks, which are dragging soldiers on sledges towards the front line, With Finnish artillery maintaining a constant bombardment, and causing great holes in the ice, many Russian tanks and complete infantry detachments have disappeared under the water.
While the Russians have been reorganizing their forces for a heavy attack on the left side of the bay, there has been a momentary pause in the drive on Viipuri itself.
It is thought that this is only a breathing space before a fresh offend sive is launched, The Headquarters of the Finnish Army have reported Russian losses from the 34th Tank Brigade, whose destruction was announced recently, totalled 2,050 men, After repeated attacks on hospitals by Soviet aircraft, it is learned that the Finns are.' removing the red crosses from all of them.
Strong Russian infantry detachments advancing across the Bay provided an easy target for Finnish artillery and aviation. Russian planes made desperate but unsuccessful efforts to drive off repeated attacks of the Finnish air force.
At all points where the Russians reached the shore, they were driven off, with the exception of two localities—Vibanlahti and Kashashtnomi, Several dozen Russian tanks were destroyed in heavy fighting in the Pollkala district, between Viipuri ard Vuoksen.—Reuter.
Baron Mannerheim Reported Ill Stockholm, Mar, 7.
Field Marshal Baron Carl Manner-helm, the commander-in-chief of the Finnish forces, is stated to be indisposed. No details of the illness are available, Seventy-three years of age, the Field Marshal is the virtual founder of modern Finland and is sometimes called the "uncrowned King of Finland."
The way in which he has directed the defence of his country with his small army in recent weeks has won the admiration of the world.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.