REDS' NEW OFFENSIVE HELD UP BY FINNS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 302, 22 December 1939, Page 7

REDS' NEW OFFENSIVE HELD UP BY FINNS.

HEAVY DEATH TOLL

Terrific Drive Yielded Nothing:. FIERCE ARTILLERY DUELS. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON", December 21. Whatever promises the Russian Army made, Finland was not among Stalin's birthday presents. Observers agree that yesterday's terrific offensive yielded nothing. The Finns' counter offensive at Suomussalmi, where the Russians have started their drive across the narrowest part of Finland, is reported to have resulted in the wiping out of two Soviet divisions and the killing of 20,000 Ruesians. A Leningrad war communique modestly declares that on all fronts there were petty skirmishes between patrols, while in a number of districts, particularly on the Karelian Isthmus, intensive artillery duels occurred. Soviet 'planes made reconnaissance flights. It \* not safe to discuss the RussoFinnish war in Moscow, although it ie darkly hinted that the Army's epecial birthday effort was scheduled for to-day and not yesterday. Mannerheim Line Attacked. The Russians have launched a gigantic' attack on the centre of the Finns' Manncrhoirn Line on the Karelian Isthmus after heavv and prolonged artillery preparation, in which thousands of shells of all calibres were fired. Infantry advanced, supported by several hundred tanks and 230 aeroplanes. The attack began yesterday and has continued since on a 12-mile front, on which th« Vinns have now trebled their defences. The Russians have increased tlii'ir pNWHiire on other fronts for diversion. Tho Finns claim the capture of 20 tanks uiid the destruction of scores, and iilso the destruction of 20 aeroplanes. The Finns advanced at Salla, capturing much material. They are retiring on the northern front, where the temperature is degrees below freeling point. '