REDS FLUNG BACK TO ORIGINAL LINES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 44, 21 February 1940, Page 7

REDS FLUNG BACK TO ORIGINAL LINES.

FINNISH CLAIM. Raining Terrific Blows On Invaders. OK LAKE LADOGA FBOHT. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 1.30 p.m-9 HELSINKI, February 28. The only effect of the Russian pressure seems to have been to consolidate tbe Finnish defences to such an extent that attacks rebounded from them. The invaders have been flung back to their original positions from Lake Ladoga to the White Sea. A Finnish communique states that "wo held up tbe Russian advance across the ice-dad Suvanto Lake, on the east flank of the Mannerheim Line, and forced the enemy to withdraw after heavy casualties. "We repulsed a full-dress attack at Taibela and repulsed counter-attacks. We took strong points at Knhmo and shot down six 'planes/' Soviet Divisions in Danger. The Havas News Agency reports that Field-Marshal Mannerheim is raining terrific hammer blows against the Bed Army's Lake Ladoga front, says a Paris cable. Further Russian divisions are reported to be in difficulties and suffering considerable losses in the sector where the Finns claimed to have annihilated the 18th Division yesterday. The Finns claim to have captured a very well-known high Russian military personality, together with some members of his staff. A Soviet communique issued in Moscow states that "our advance on the isthmus continues. We have captured two islands and coastal railway stations snd our air force has bombed enemy troops and military objectives, shooting down 14 Finnish 'planes."