BATTLES ON THE KARELIAN ISTHMUS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 February 1940, Page 5

BATTLES ON THE KARELIAN ISTHMUS

Finns Report Unbroken Defence QUANTITY OF ARMS AND WAR MATERIALS TAKEN

RUSSIAN THRUSTS AT VIBORG

A Helsinki communique announces that six Soviet attacks have been beaten back on the Karelian Isthmus, Daventry reports. The attack was particularly fierce-at the eastern end, where fighting lasted all day. The Finns have taken a large quantity of arms and ;war material and sixteen Soviet tanks were destroyed. Snow and fog have delayed Soviet movements and held up air operations.

The Russians yesterday were celebrating the 22nd anniversary of the formation of the Soviet army at. a time when their troops were making a supreme effort to break through the Mannerheim Line.

In spite of the heavy fighting the Finns say there is no change in the situation, but it is clear in spite of a blizzard which is raging that fresh Russian troops are continually being thrown into the attacks in the attempt to capture Viborg, which the Russians say is only a few miles away. The Finns refer to successes north-east of Lake Ladoga, where the remnants of a Soviet division are surrounded. The Paris radio reports that the Belgian military authority who designed the Mannerheim Line is leaving Brussels Tor Finland. He said that his confidence in the Finns was unshakable. Even the capture of Viborg by the Russians Would have little importance, he declared. Even if General Mannerheim had to abandon strong positions, he still held the eastern end of the line, and the Finns would still be in an excellent strategic position.