45,000 RUSSIANS IN FULL FLIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 16, 19 January 1940, Page 7

45,000 RUSSIANS IN FULL FLIGHT.

F/iVJVS ADVANCE.

Relentless Attack Lasted

For Days.

ACUTE THREAT AVERTED

United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 2 i>.m.) LONDON, Jauuary IS. Forty-five thousand Russians are, in full flight on the Salla front after a relentless Finnish attack that lasted for days, in which the Finnish Air Force disorganised the Russian's rear. The weather and constant cutting of communications haw hceten the Russians here, and in view of the collapse of the supporting forces on the Petsamo. Kuusaino and Suoniussalini sectors the Finns believe their country's so-called "waistlims" is safe till spring. The Finns shot down 11 Soviet bombers and advanced 28 miles in the Salla sector, according to a Helsinki message. Tho Finnish advance in the Salla sector indicates that the most acute threat to the vital lines of communication to Sweden has been averted, and the point of the Russian arrowhead severely blunted. The Rude here were within 20 miles of Kenvittrack, from which the railway runs to Rnvauieini, on tlio Gulf of Bothnia. This was the furthest point invaders reached on Finnish eoil. Fighting continues fiercely in the bleak, sparsely populated country round Markajarvi, which is 18 miles south-east of Salla. Estimate of Losses. The Russians attacked linsucc <sfullv north-east from Lake Lagoda and Finnish jiatrols wiped out strong Russian patrols further north. According to the French radio the Finns have so far lost 20.000 dead and wounded and the Riiiseiane 150,000, many hundreds of whom have simply fallem into the peaceful sleep which Iβ death from cold. A Moscow communique eays Soviet 'planes bombed several railway junctions and military objectives and brought down 11 enemy machine?. Wound Meant Death. The cold gave the Finns a partial respite from the air terror, but the soldiers suffered, many perishing at their posts. The danger of freezing to death prevented movement on all fronts. A i wound meant certain death from exposure. Virtually the only firing was to keep the guns from freezing.

The temperatures are too low to be recorded by mercury thermometers.

The Russians have gained slightly on the eouth front, where the Finns" are fallinjr back to prepared positions in good order.

The Finns were successful near Kitela. where the Russians retreated, abandoning several guns and fast tanks. The Finns announce routing an ciioniv company north-cast of Lake Ladoga,"killing 70 and destroying two tanks, capturing 100 rifliv and shooting down an aero" plane. The Russian airmen possessed maps of Sweden.

Danish correspondents in Finland declare the Soviet troops are withdrawing on the Salla front and also northward of Lake Ladoga.

The Soviet High Command officially announced that reports that the Red Air Force had bombed the working-claee quarters in Helsinki were untrue. Jt stated, "Russia never lias and never will bomb Helsinki, much less the workin"class quarters."

The names are published of ir>oo officers and men who have received awards for gallantry.