ICY BATTLEFIELD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24227, 20 February 1940, Page 9

ICY BATTLEFIELD

A RUSSIAN REVERSE FINNS CLAIM SUCCESS TWO DIVISIONS ROUTED MAIN DEFENCES INTACT (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) HELSINKI, Feb. 19. (Received Feb. 19, at 10 p.m.) The Finnish forces claim that after severe fighting oh an icy battlefield they broke up the Russian 54th Division and also severely punished another division. The Soviet, losses were estimated at 6000' killed and 20,000 wounded. The main Finnish defences remain intact, though Russia is exulting

over reported successes, claiming that the Finnish key positions are crumbling under the weight of opposing men and metal. Germany has officially informed Sweden and Norway that she would regard as a breach of neutrality any aid they might give to Finland. A Finnish communique says: “Russian pressure on the Karelian isthmus is weaker. Our planes scattered and drove back enemy bombing formations. They bombed enemy columns at assembly points and shot down 24 planes.” “A Garibaldian legion of 10,000 French and Italians is shortly going to Finland under Camillo Marabini. president of the Garibaldians who fought in Argonne in the last war. He appeals to 10,000,000 Italians outside Italy, as heirs to the Garibaldi tradition, not to permit an adversary to annihilate a free people. FIGHTING ON THE ISTHMUS FINNISH POSTS CAPTURED RUSSIANS REPORT ADVANCE LONDON, Feb. 19. (Received Feb. 20, at 0,5 a.m.)' A Leningrad communique says: *f The isthmus offensive has developed successfully. The enemy continued to retreat and Russian troops have reached the sea coast between Wiipuri and Bjorko, occupying Somme station, six miles south from Wiipuri, Saint Johannes and Marksalahti stations. Russian forces captured 313 strong posts on Saturday and Sunday, and occupied the fortified area of Muola in the centre of the Mannerheim Line, reaching Salmenkaita River, which is five miles north of Kyyrola. We captured in a week up to yesterday 475 fortifications, including 92 ferroconcrete artillery, forts. We brought down yesterday 21 enemy planes.