STOUTLY DEFENDING

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 74, 20 December 1939, Page 12

STOUTLY DEFENDING

Finns Reported To Have Routed New Attack

MANNERHEIM LINE HELD

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright

Received December 19, 8.50 p.m. LONDON, December 19. A Stockholm message says that the Finns are reported to have routed 17,000 Russians at Lake Kiantajarvi, eas tot Suomussalmi (in the central western sector). The Russians bombed \\npuu. The Moscow communique states that the Russians in the north have occupied Pitkajarvi, 55 miles south-west of Petsamo. Warships shelled the Bjorko batteries. A Helsinki report states that the Finns smashed the Russians across the Taibela River yesterday in the twelfth day of the battle for the Mannerheim Line, which is now familiarly known as Finland’s “Verdun.” . The Russians, day and night, assaulted the Finnish position with wave after wave of tanks, artillery, and infantry, but the Finns retain the north bank and the mouth of the river. A communique says: “Yesterday the Russians after artillery preparation, attacked with great force on the Karelian Isthmus at the Taibela River. We destroyed 31 tanks. More intensive attacks north from Ladoga were repulsed.” The fighting appears to be heavy in the Karelian Isthmus, where the Finns are believed to have gained ground, forcing the Russians back and destroying 30 tanks. . The Russian communique, which claims advances in other sectors makes no mention of fighting in Karelia, and this lenos colour to the Finnish claims. The unbroken Mannerheim Line is already many miles deep, but the Finns are still erecting new defences miles behind it. North of Lake Ladoga the Russians claim to have advanced SO miles, but the two thrusts aimed at cutting through the narrow waist of Finland appear to have broken down. . The Svanik correspondent of the British United Press says the Russians have driven the Finns to a line running eastwaid from Kyro, thus cutting off the Finns from the Arctic, but daring guerrilla fighters continue to terrify the enemy, one band entering Salmijarvi and destroying an ammunition dump. Finnish headquarters claim that the Russians violated Norwegian territory in attempting an outflanking movement, but were defeated. guerrilla fighters continue to terrify the enemy, one bad entering Salmijarvi and destroying an ammunition dump. Finnish headquarters claim that the Russians violated Norwegian territory in attempting an outflanking movement, but weie defeated. . . , . , r . Soviet aircraft appeared over Helsinki yesterday for the first time for a fortnight. As far as was known, no bombs were dropped. The planes were met by heavy anti-aircraft fire.