Finns Rout Russians

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 296, 15 December 1939, Page 7

Finns Rout Russians

2000 Killed Near Lake Ladoga RUSSIA’S UNLIMITED MANPOWER A Stockholm mesage says the Finns routed the Russians at Tolvajarvi, near Lake Lagoda, killing 2000 and advancing considerably. A Helsinki message says it is reported that the Finns carried the war into Russian territory when they attacked in the direction of the Murmansk railway in the central sector. A Finnish army communique issued at Helsinki states: “There were fierce attacks on the Karelian isthmus and the Petrozavodsk sections, the enemy suffering heavy losses of men andequipment. The coastal batteries at Bjorko and the Ladoga coast assisted the land forces in breaking up and driving back enemy detachments. The enemy bombed Hanko and the coastal islands. Our air force successfully bombed and machine-gunned infantry and motorised detachments.” The Mobcow radio announced: “Our troops have advanced 65 miles from the frontier in the Kutno sector and also occupied Kitela. There has been no air activity owing to the weather.' ’

The Helsinki correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says Russia’s unlimited manpower is beginning to strain the Finnish resources because the persistent attacks on all fronts, regardless of losses, necessitate the constant switching of reserves. The Firms mow down a hundred Russians and a thousand more appear. The greatest danger is in the Kutno sector, where the Finns defending the country’s waistline sadly lack artillery. The Russians have long been constructing strategic roads to the Kutno and Kola frontiers, permitting the speedy movement of artillery and tanks. It is estimated that 100,000 Russians are being hurled against Rovaniemi, but the Finns have recaptured Salla. The Finnish air force is concentrating on roads and railways in an endeavour to break up the Russian reinforcements and has already achieved considerable transport chaos at Murmansk.