MASSED ATTACKS REPELLED BY THE FINNS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 December 1939, Page 7

MASSED ATTACKS

REPELLED BY THE FINNS

Mannerheim Line Maintained Intact RUSSIANS CLAIM EXTENDED PROGRESS FURTHER NORTH ALLEGED VIOLATION OF NORWEGIAN TERRITORY (By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright.) LONDON, December lit. A Stockholm message says that the Finns are reported to have routed 17,000 Russians at Lake Kiantajarvi, east of Suomussalmi (in the central western sector). The Russians bombed Wiipuri. The Moscow communique states that the Russians in the north have occupied Pitkajarvi. 55 miles south-west of Petsamo. Warships shelled the Bjorko batteries. A communique says: “Yesterday the Russians, after artillery preparation, attacked with great force on the Karelian Isthmus at the Taihela River. We destroyed 31 tanks. More intensive attacks north from Ladoga were repulsed.’’ The fighting appears to be heavy in the Karelian Isthmus, where the Finns are believed to have gained ground, forcing the Russians back and destroying 30 tanks. The Russian communique, which claims advances in other sectors, makes no mention of fighting - in Karelia, and this lends colour to the Finnish claims. The unbroken Mannerheim Line is already many miles deep, but the Finns are still erecting new defences miles behind it. North of Lake Ladoga the Russians claim to have advanced 80 miles, but the two thrusts aimed at cutting through the narrow waist of Finland appear to have broken down. The Svanik correspondent of the British United Press says the Russians have driven the Finns to a line running eastward from Kyro, thus cutting off rhe Finns from the Arctic, but daring guerrilla lighters continue to terrify the enemy, one hand entering Salmijarvi and destroying an ammunition dump. Finnish headquarters claim that the Russians violated Norwegian territory in attempting an outflanking movement, but were defeated. Soviet aircraft appeared over Helsinki yesterday for the first time for a fortnight. As far as was known, no bombs were dropped. The planes were met by heavy anti-aircraft fire.