RUSSIAN ARMY IN FINLAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20127, 22 December 1939, Page 7

RUSSIAN ARMY IN FINLAND

TWO DIVISIONS AS EARLY PRICE LITTLE GAIN FOR HUGE SACRIFICE STALIN BIRTHDAY DISAPPOINTMENT FLANDIN DENUNCIATION OF CRIME (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Rec-d. Dec. 22, 11 a.m.) , LONDON, Dec. 20. Whatever promises the Russian Army , made in Finland,.. the fulfilment.of them was not among M. Stalin’s birthday presents. Observers agree that yesterday’s terrific offensive yielded nothing, whereas the counter offensive of the Finns at Suomussalmi is reported to have resulted in the wiping out of two Soviet divisions and the death of 20,000 Russians. A war communique issued in Leningrad modestly declares that on all fronts there were petty skirmishes between patrols while in a number of districts, particularly the Karelian Isthmus, intensive artillery duels occurred. Soviet planes made reconnaissance flights. It is not safe to discuss the Russo-Finnish war in Moscow, although it is darkly hinted that the Soviet army’s special birthday effort was scheduled for to-day and not yesterday. Helsinki reports that the Russians launched a gigantic attack on the centre of the Mannerlieim Line on the Karelian Isthmus after heavy prolonged artillery preparation in which thousands ,of shells of all calibres were used. Russian infantry advanced supported by several hundred tanks and 250 planes. The attack began on Tuesday and has continued since on a 12-mile front on which the Finns have no\v trebled their defences. The Russians have increased the pressure elsewhere for a diversion. Capture and Destruction of Tanks The Finns claim the capture of 20 tanks, and the destruction of scores of tanks and also the destruction of 20 planes. The Finns advanced at Salla, capturing much material. The Finns are retiring on the northern front, w'here the temperature is 54 degrees below' freezing point. It is now officially stated in Helsinki that shells from the coastal batteries damaged, but did not sink, the Soviet warship Oktiabrskaya Revolutia.

Paris reports state that several French newspapers support the suggestion made by the former Prime Minister, M. Flandin, that diplomatic relations betw'een Russia and France should be broken off. The Petit Journal says that logic and the interest of honest men demand a diplomatic rupture after Russia’s exclusion from the League for a crime against civilisation.