Russian Invaders flung Back

Northern Advocate, 21 February 1940, Page 5

Russian Invaders flung Back

(Received 2 p.m.) OZ Aienjqaj; ‘SHOJONISI3H lhe only effect of the Russian pressure seems to have been to consolidate the Finnish defences to such an extent that attacks rebounded from them. The invaders have been flung back to their original positions from Lake Ladoga to the White Sea. A Finnish communique states that “we held up the Russian advance across the ice-clad Suvanto Lakes on the east flank of the Mannerheim Line, and forced the enemy to withdraw after heavy casualties. “We repulsed a full-dress attack at Taibela and repulsed counter-attacks. We took strong points at Kuhmo and shot down six planes.” Hammer Blows. The Havas News Agency reports that Field-Marshal Mannerheim is raining terrific hammer blows against the Red Army’s Lake Ladoga front, says a Paris cable. Further Russian divisions are reported to be in difficulties and suffering considerable losses in the sector where the Finns claimed to have annihilated the 13th Division yesterday. The Finns claim to have captured a well-known high Russian personality, together with some members of his staff. A Soviet communique issued in Moscow states that “our advance on the isthmus continues. We have captured two islands and coastal railway stations, and our air force has bombed enemy troops and military objectives, shooting down 14 Finnish planes.”