SOVIET TROOPS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 16, 19 January 1940, Page 7

SOVIET TROOPS

TWO FRONTS IN FINLAND

FINNISH ADVANCE

RESPITE FROIVi AIR TERROR

<By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright.l (Received January 19, 12.30 p.m.)

LONDON, January 18,

According to a Copenhagen message, Danish correspondents in Finland declare that Soviet troops are withdrawing from the Salla front and also from the district north of Lake Ladoga.. . „■'.:.-.. A communique issued in Helsinki claims that the Finns shot down 11 Soviet bombers and advanced 28 miles in the Salla sector.

The names are published of 1500 , Finnish officers and men who have received awards for gallantry.

1 The cold today gave the Finns a respite from the air terror, but the soldiers have suffered,1 many of them perishing at their posts. The danger of freezing, to death has prevented movement on all fronts. A wound means certain death from exposure. Virtually the only firing is to keep the guns from freezing. ." The Finns recaptured Kursu, on the road to Kemittrask. A Finnish communique records successful fighting

here: * The Russians gained slightly on the south front, yrtiere the Finns were falling Jback to prepared positions in good order.

North of Lake Ladoga the Finns were successful near Kitela, where the Russians retreated, abandoning several guns and fast tanks. The Finns announce having routed an enfemT com-: nanv north-east-of the lake, killing 71) S ySro!ing two tanks, and capturing 100 rifles. They also shot down an aeroplane, the occupants of which possessed maps, of Sweden. In Finland, despite 86 degrees ot frost afWiborg, the Finns are fighting successfully against three Russian columns, on the Salla front. A Finnish communique states that the Finnish troops in the last few days advanced about 27 miles, and at only one pbiht in the sector had they been forced, to withdraw before: a Russian attack. Eleven Russian bombers are claimed to have been brought down in yesterday's raids.