New Red Offensive

Northern Advocate, 24 January 1940, Page 5

New Red Offensive

Waves Hurled At Finnish Defences

(Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON. January 23

The Russians are hurling fresh waves of troops against the .Mannerheim Line, and apparently intend to force a decisive battle, says ( a message from Helsingfors.

Tens of thousands of shells were fired by massed artillery to cover infantry thrusts at various points. .

It is officially stated that the Russians dropped 400 bombs on 10 centres in Finland yesterday. The bombs damaged only 10 buildings and wounded three people. Sortavalla suffered most.

The Russians have launched, a great hew offensive on Finland. An intense bombardment has taken place on the Mannerheim Line, where attacks on the defenders’ flanks were repulsed.

Soviet forces have attacked also all along the front extending fpr 100 miles north from Lake Ladoga. Finnish attacks on Soviet air bases have Been successful. Russian warships lying icebound in the naval base of Kronstadt are believed to have been damaged. Heavy Losses. A Finnish communique yesterday stated: “The Russians lost nearly 1,000 men in attacks between the Karelian Isthmus and mid-Finland. “They mounted loud speakers on the Taipale front, exhorting us tp surrender, declaring that Viipuri was doomed, while the Germans were marching to aid the Russians and would slaughter us.

“Our guns silenced their batteries, after which we shattered the enemy’s concentrated infantry attack almost before it was launched, spreading the battle-front with dead. “The Russians near Kitela lost 12? men.

“We repulsed .attacks at Loimola, on the Lake Ladoga front, killing 450 men. besides gaining successes farther north from Lake Ladoga.”

Russian Communique,

A Russian communique announces small skirmishes on all fronts, and artillery activity.

Russian prisoners admit that the Red Army is suffering from a serious shortage of petrol.

It is asserted that the Russians on the Petsamo front have been reinforced from the sea. The Finnish Foreign Legion, which contains some Britains and Australians, is ready for the front. Prince Rene, of Bourbon-Panna, whose home is in Paris, has volunteered for service. Salia Front Battle. The battle on the 'Salla front grimly continues. Finnish patrols are systematically separating Russian detachments from the main force, and driving others northwards, where they attempted to make a stand. The fugitives left many dead and much war material. The remaining batteries continued to shell the Finnish lines, and. planes are bombing the Finnish columns. The Russians are carrying out night raids in this sector, dropping flares by parachute in order to detect' targets. The Finns are steadily gaining ground south of .Markij.arvi. Twenty Finnish planes participated in an air raid on Kronstadt. It is reported the raiders got good results. All returned safely, says a Copenhagen, message.