On the Main Finnish Front

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 December 1939, Page 7

On the Main Finnish Front

REPORTS OF FIERCE FIGHTING ENGAGEMENT ON LAKE LADOGA (By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, December (>. Today on the twenty-first anniversary of the regaining of Finnish independence, the Russians are launching a big offensive in the Karelia and Lake Ladoga districts (the central-east and south-east frontiers). Their attack in the Petsamo area is continuing. The Finns; though greatly outnumbered, are giving a good account of themselves on the three fronts. The heavy snow is hampering the invaders. This morning the Moscow Radio stated that the air defences have been in action at Leningrad against Finnish planes. Fierce fighting is reported north of Lake Ladoga. A Finnish naval communkpie reports an engagement on the lake between light Russian naval forces and Finnish shore batteries. The Finns admit the loss ol an island. Finnish aeroplanes carried out reconnaissance and bombed Russian troops. Moscow makes no claims but contents itself with denying in detail claims in previous Finnish coinmiinicptes, a radio message states. A Finnish communique says that 64 Russian tanks were captured and 2000 Russians killed in a single fight on the Karelian front. Finnish reconnaissance flights were success!ill. Two planes were shot down. The Russians are usingjlnmdnm bullets. Leningrad, in discounting the Finnish claims, today admits the loss of four aeroplanes. No tanks were lost, it is claimed. “The Times” .Moscow correspondent states the opinion that the Finnish campaign will cost Russia 15,000 dead.