FINNISH STAND ON KARELIAN ISTHMUS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 February 1940, Page 5

FINNISH STAND ON KARELIAN ISTHMUS

Enemy Pressure Reported Weaker DEFENDING AIR FORCE ACTIVE RUSSIANS REPORT CAPTURE OF FORTS (By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.i LOX DOX, February .19. The main lOnnish defences on the Karelian Isthmus remain intact, though Dussia is exulting over reported successes, claiming that Finnish key positions are crumbling under the weight of the opposing men and metal. The latest FTiniisli communique says: “The Russian pressure on the isthmus is weaker. Our planes scattered and drove back enemy bombing formations, bombed enemy columns at their assembly points, and shot down 24 Russian planes. The Leningrad communique says: ‘“The isthmus offensive developed successfully, and the enemy continued their retreat. Russian troops reached the sea coast between Viborg and Bjorko ami occupied tin- Somme station, six miles south from Viborg, and the Saint Johannes and Mai'ksalahti stations. “The Russian forces captured 313 strong-posts on Saturday and Sunday and occupied the fortified area of ALuola in the centre of Hie Mannerheim Line, reaching the Salmenkaita River, which is five miles north of Kyyrola. “We captured in the week up to yesterday 475 fortifications. including' 92 ferro-eonerete artillery forts, ami we brought down yesterday 21 enemy planes.”