MINES HALT BIG SOVIET OFFENSIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 43, 20 February 1940, Page 7

MINES HALT BIG SOVIET OFFENSIVE.

FINNISH CLAIM. Main Defence Lines Remain Intact. RUSSIANS REPORT SUCCESS. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) HELSINKI, February 19. It is claimed that the Russian offensive against the Mannerheim Line has been halted at various points by land-mines. It is reported that 15 tanks were blown up by mines in the former Finnish lines. Finnish reinforcements are relieving troops in the second defence lines. The Finnish Air Force has also been reinforced by fresh machines and is seriously hampering Russian rear communications. The Finns have brought down 412 Russian war plane® since the outbreak of hostilities. Finns exempted from military training in peace time owing to ill-health have been called up. The main Finnish defences remain intact, although Russia is exulting over her reported successes and is claiming that Finnish key positions are crumbling under the weight of opposing men and metal. A Finnish communique says: "The Russians' pressure on the Karelian Isthmus is weaker. Our aeroplanes scattered and drove back enemy bombing formations and bombed enemy columns at their assembly points and shot down 24 machines." A Russian communique says: "Our offensive on the Karelian Isthmus has been developed successfully. The enemy continues to retreat. Russian troops have reached the sea coast between Wiipuri and Bjorko and are occupying Somee station, six miles south of Wiipuri, the St. Johannes and the Marksalahti stations. They captured 313 strong posts on Saturday and Sunday. "Our forces have occupied the fortified area of Muola, in the centre of the Mannerheim Line, and have reached the Salmenkaita River, which is five miles north of Kyyrola. In the week ended February 18 we captured 475 fortifications, including 92 ferro-concrete artillery forts, and brought down 21 enemv aeroplanes." Germany has officially informed Sweden and Norway that she regards as a breach of neutrality any aid they give to Finland. Finnish relief troops have taken over the Summa Corridor and are ready for any sudden challenge.

DIVISION LOST.

Russia Silent On Claim 67 Finland. COSTLY AOt ACTIVITY. (Bccelved 2 p.m.) LOXDOX, February 19. A . Finnish communique announces the annihilation, by death or capture, of the shattered remnants of 18,000 men comprising the 18th Division, which was routed near Kitela on February 5. The Russians renewed their attack on Taibela. but iost a battalion. Six tanks, attacking the new Finnish positions elsewhere, were dispersed by a column which took guns, machine-guns and ammunition. Their increasing aerial activity cost, the Russians 24 'planes yesterday. A Russian communique makes no mention of the 18th Division and concentrates on the Soviet occupation of the outworks of the Mannerheim Line and Muola and* the isolation of Bjorko, from which the Finns shelled Russian advances. It also claims penetration to the shore of the Gulf of Finland, six miles from Wiipuri. TO GARIBALDIANS. APPEAL TO HELP FINLAND. LONDON, February 19. The Garibaldian Legion of 10,000 Frenchmen and Italians will shortly go to Finland, under Camillo president of the Garibaldians, who fought at Argonne in the last war. He has appealed to the 10,000,000 Italians outside Italy, as heirs to the Garibaldi tradition, not to permit the adversary to annihilate a free people. A congress of ex-combatants at Brussels passed a resolution in favour of helping Finland.