DEFENCE OF MANNERHEIM LINE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20132, 29 December 1939, Page 7

DEFENCE OF MANNERHEIM LINE

FAILURE OF INVADERS’ WAVES REVERSE IN NORTH FOREST BATTLE FINNISH TROOPS OUTFIGHTING RUSSIAN BATTALION SUFFICES FOR DIVISION (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 29, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 28. Helsinki reports state that a Russian onslaught is expected to be launched on sevei’al fronts in an effort to force a decision before the show prevents it. The Russian attempt ,to penetrate the Mannerheim Line near Wiipuri appears to have collapsed. Wave after wave of assault troops lost their lives on the frozen lakes which the guns smashed beneath their feet. The Russians continue their aerial activity while long-range howitzers are shelling Wiipuri. The Finns note that the Russians take little care of their wounded, who are left to die of cold and exposure. This indifference is exemplified by the absence of identification badges which are customary in all other armies. Helsinki states that the Finnish Northern Army took 5000 Russian prisoners in a big' battle that lasted throughout the day among the frontier forests. Finns Across Russian Border The Finnish Northern Army Commander, General Wallenius, states that the Finns are operating 40 miles within Russia as far as Kandalaksha, the Russian base on the White Sea. He adds that frontier woods extending far into Russia are full of Finnish patrols. The Russians are nowhere safe from attack. “Wherever they break through,” he says, “we must have enough men to stop them. One battalion for a division suffices. If the war continues for two years we shall not have enough men. ” A Finnish officer from the Petsamo front stated to-day in Helsinki that 150 Russian tanks were snowbound in the Petsamo area. The crews of several were found sitting inside frozen to death. “Nothing of Importance” ■ A Moscow army communique says: “There is nothing of importance to report. Our planes made reconnaissance flights over Finland.” The Moscow correspondent of the Daily Telegraph states that the populace hears that the Leningrad hospitals are crowded with civilian patients evacuated from ,the largest hospital in Moscow. Schools in Leningrad are closed ostensibly, as an aiivraid measure, but really to provide bed space for wounded soldiers, while the local hospitals are filling up.