Red Offensive Collapses After 3 Days Slaughter

Northern Advocate, 26 January 1940, Page 5

Red Offensive Collapses After 3 Days Slaughter

LONDON. January 25

THE BIG RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE NORTH-EAST OF LAKE LADOGA HAS COLLAPSED AFTER THREE DAYS OF SLAUGHTER.

The Finns repulsed all attacks, including- drives against the middle <>f the 51 annerheim Line and the Finnish positions on the Kolia a n and Aitto Rivers.

The Russians, hoping to smash the left wing of the Mannerlieim Line, brought to bear the full form* of their mechanised units, tanks and aeroplanes, under the control of crack troops, but could not even cut the railway to Sortavala, which would have interrupted the transport of Finnish soldiers ami material.

Held Their Own. The Finns definitely held their own against waves of Russian attacks, besides threatening the Russian flank, which was the bastion of the offensive. Other Russian attacks, supported by artillery, were repulsed in the Summa Sector, where the Finnish guns demolished the Russian advance over •ice-covered Lake Muolla, but fighting continues. The Finns also heavily repulsed all attacks on the Eastern front, destroying seven tanks. Red Losses Number Thousands. The Russians’ losses .already number thousands, which may be ascribed to their advancing in close formation, owing to the tendency to break or surrender if the men are allowed to spread out. The high Russian mortality is due to inadequate clothing, insufficient food, filthy conditions, lack of medical personnel and the practice of giving first aid to the political commissars and the officers, while wounded privates are allowed to freeze to death. Hundreds of Danes. There are hundreds of young Danes in the Finnish training camps, while 100 volunteers are leaving Denmark every week, says a message from Helsingfors. Such ,a course is not permissible for actual members of the Danish forces, five officers of which, were arrested when about to go to Finland from the Kestrup Aerodrome. Six American volunteer pilots have reached Helsingfors. A second aeroplane laden with medical supplies for Finland has arrived from London. Missed With 15 Bombs.

Russian aeroplanes missed the Finnish steamer Notung (1130 tons) near the Aaland Islands with 15 bombs, one of which exploded alongside, causing a'leak which later sank her. The airmen machine-gunned the crew but caused no casualties. The Russian aeroplanes unsuccessfully bombed a German merchantman which is aground in the Aaland Islands.

Two Russian divisions face starvation. being trapped near Aittojoki. says a Helsingfors message.