RUSSIAN ROUT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23574, 7 February 1940, Page 11

RUSSIAN ROUT

ENTIRE DIVISION VICTORY FOR FINNS THOUSANDS KILLED TRIUMPH OF TACTICS By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received February 6, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 6 Victory has again crowned Finland's" banners with the rout of the 18th Russian Division near Kitela, on the north shore of Lake Ladoga. The defeat is attributable to Finnish patrols who worked round the division and closed in through the snow-clad forests at Pitkaranta, says a despatch from Helsinki. Tho Russians attempted to retreat by a lakeside road, but the Mantisinaari batteries plastered them with shells. Larger bodies of Finns, armed with machine-guns, aided in the disintegration of the fugitives and of other units who advanced to the rescue in re spouse to wireless appeals. Cars crashed into trees as the drivers slumped dead over their steering wheels and machine-guns killed those who were trying to escape from the wreckage. The patrols secured vital papers. Staff Ambushed Finnish ski patrols surprised the entire staff retreating to the Ounas River down a snow track in the pine forests and marksmen picked their targets. The majority of the 285 tanks attached to the 13th Russian Army were destroyed. The Russian 18th Division has ceased to exist as a division. The total of Russian dead in four days is estimated at 7000. Between 15,000 and 20,000 have been killed or have died of cold and hunger or have been taken prisoner. Widespread Air Raids The Finns claim to have shot down nine Russian aeroplanes in widespread Russian raids, in the course of which the Russians destroyed a church at Ivalo, Lapland, scattered a Swedish ambulance unit and killed a few civilians. Russian aeroplanes between January 28 and February 3 dropped 6800 bombs, killing 145 civilians and wounding 179. They bombed a hospital Bhip at an unnamed port, and the patients and members of the crew fled to the forest. Tho Viipuri Cathedral is in ruins after the air raids on Sunday, which resulted in 70 civilians being killed, 20 by bombs on a hospital and an ambulance train. Varying Fortunes The Russians are now 28 miles from Viipuri, which slight success was due to repeated attacks, which prevented the Finns Laying down mines between assaults. The Finnish losses have been heavy. A Finnish communique - claims the capture of a stronghold north-east of Lake Ladoga, with the slaughter of 500 defenders and the acquisition of much war material.

The Finns have captured several 6in. field guns and 6in. Howitzers, which they are effectively using in the Lake Muola sector.

Russia has called up the 1920-21 classes.

PASSENGER BAN JAPANESE SHIPPING MEN CAPABLE OF WAR SERVICE (Roceived February 7, 12.55 a.m.) TOKIO, Feb. 0 The Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Hachiro Arita, announced that Japanese shipping companies have been instructed to refuse passage to citizens of belligerent countries who are capable of war service, thus confirming and extending the unofficial ban imposed by the chief companies after the Asama Maru incident. The announcement is regarded as a compromise gesture.

AMERICAN AIRCRAFT LARGE NUMBER FOR ALLIES •WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 More than 1100 aeroplanes have been delivered to Britain and France. The recent rate of delivery exceeded 100 machines a month.