SMASHING VICTORY WON BY FINNS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22907, 2 January 1940, Page 7

SMASHING VICTORY WON BY FINNS

Russians Hurled Back r\ Over Frontier

FAILURE OF ASSAULT ON MANNERHEIM LINE

(CTInTED PRESS ASSOCIATION-COPTB.TGHT.) (Received January 1, 10.30 p.m.) HELSINKI, January 1. The Finns won a smashing victory on a 150-mile front between Suomussalmi and Kemittrask in Finland's bottleneck, where a fierce battle has raged for a week. Russian forces from 18,000 to 20,000 strong were hurled back acfoss the frontier and beyond. They are almost sui'rounded. The victory was the culmination of the Finns' - counter-attack against the Russians' attempt to split Finland in two. A Finnish communique claims *the virtual destruction of a Russian division of 18,000 men at Kiantajarvi, near Suomussalmi. The Finns captured enormous quantities of war materials. A Finnish communique yesterday stated that the Russians had been forced back across the frontier at a third point, in the Kutno sector, where the present victory was gained. The communique added that the new Soviet onslaught on the Mannerheim Line had failed. Fighting continued further north. The Rome radio announces that the Finns are reported to have recaptured Petsamo.