WAR AT STANDSTILL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 10 January 1940, Page 6

WAR AT STANDSTILL

RUSSIANS EXHAUSTED WRECKAGE OF THE 44th DIVISION DRIFTING AIMLESSLY [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] (Received 10th January, 1.25 p.m.) HELSINKI, 9th January. The war is at a standstill, indicating that the Russians are temporarily exhausted, but are possibly preparing for a new attack either at Salla or on the Mannerheim Line A Finnish communique states that land operations are confined to patrolling and gunfire. There is inactivity at sea and in the air. Reports from Suomussalmi agree that 7000 Russians have been killed and 1000 captured. Ten thousand are fleeing to the border where the wreckage of the 44th Division is drifting aimlessly in the wilderness doomed to death from frostbite and starvation if they escape the patrols which are annihilating hundreds. Several Russian regiments on other fronts are reported to be deserting to the forests after the shooting of officers. The soldiers complain that the commissars are comfortably housed while the Drivates bivouac in the snow. Many commissars have been replaced from Moscow as the result of these reports.